Scott family to sell Aratula farms, near Tocumwal, for $40m-plus

After being held by one family for five generations, a renowned 4850ha aggregation near Tocumwal has been listed for sale.

Five generations of farming history on the banks of the Murray River have hit the market with the Scott family selling their renowned farming enterprise, Aratula, at Tocumwal.

Spanning four properties and 4850ha, the livestock and cropping aggregation is expected to field offers in excess of $40 million.

The Scott family is renowned throughout the Riverina and beyond for their prime beef and winter crop production at Aratula.

Nutrien Harcourts Deniliquin selling James Sides said the aggregation was expected to garner significant buyer interest.

“Their vision for the future of agriculture has seen Aratula under the Scott family management become one of the most productive properties in the region,” Mr Sides said.

“Aratula has highly fertile soils with expansive cropping fields and is underpinned by a vast network of piped stock waters.

The 4850ha Aratula aggregation is expected to field offers in excess of $40 million.

“It is complemented by some of the nation’s best sheltered grazing country, making this a unique buying opportunity and one that will serve the demands of generations to come.”

The major listing comes as the 3010ha Baker Grain Aggregation near Howlong, on the Murray River, also hit the market where it could be worth up to $100 million in total.

Aratula, located at Lower River Rd, 25km west of Tocumwal, comprises four properties; Oomabah (2208ha), Aratula (1328ha), Main Camp (686ha) and Wahroonga Nth (629ha).

Across the entire aggregation there are about 2035ha of planted winter crops including wheat (1040ha), canola (680ha), barley (215ha) and peas (100ha).

2535ha consisting of pasture (1610ha), grazing (500ha) lucerne (305ha) oats (120ha) form the difference across the total 4100ha of arable farming land.

About 300 cows plus their followers and 1200 ewes and lambs have been run on the property over the past four years.

Notably, the Scott family’s prime beef production differed to most other farms in the Riverina.

Sheep are the predominant livestock produced in the Riverina with 3.89 million head in 2020-21 compared to about 527,000 head of beef cattle.

The Scott family have run 300 cows plus their followers and 1200 ewes and lambs at Aratula.

A five-bedroom, 100-year-old homestead, which was renovated in 1980, also stands on the Aratula block.

Other existing infrastructure at the Aratula aggregation includes manager’s and worker’s cottage, 2000 head steel sheep yards, 550 tonne silo storage and 80 tonne fertiliser shed.

The property is for sale via expressions of interest closing October 27 at 3pm and is on offer as a whole or in four contingent holdings.