Thompson family sell Silvermere Holsteins farm in eight-figure deal

A blue ribbon Central West NSW dairy farm will stay in Australian hands after it was snapped up by a South Coast dairy farming family.

A South Coast NSW dairy farming family has expanded its landholdings in the state, acquiring a 370ha first-class dairy located near Cowra.

The Chittick family has acquired the home of the Thompson family’s renowned Silvermere Holsteins enterprise in a walk-in walk-out deal, including about 700 cattle.

Last year Colin and Erina Thompson listed their Silvermere Holsteins property for sale, ending a dairy farming legacy dating back more than 70 years.

The value of the transaction remains undisclosed, however, it is understood the Central West NSW property was sold in-line with the $18 million walk-in walk-out price guide.

Split between dairy farms in South Coast NSW and Central West NSW, near Cowra, the Chittick family has a longstanding dairy farming and cattle breeding history, dating back five generations.

The Thompson family have sold their premier Silvermere Holsteins property.

Following its purchase of Silvermere Holsteins, it is understood the Chittick family will relocate to Central West NSW to continue dairy farming.

LAWD director Ian Robertson handled the sale and said there was varied interest in portions of the property, particularly the water portfolio.

“There was interest from NSW dairy farming families, some from the North Coast NSW and some from South Coast NSW,” he said.

“There was some interest in just parts of the property, but the decision was made to keep it together.”

The Thompson family relocated to Cowra in 2000 after their family originally began dairy farming at Narooma on the Far South Coast of NSW in the 1950s.

Colin Thompson at his dairy farm Callara near Gooloogong in the central west of NSW. Picture: Toby Zerna

In recent seasons they supplied fresh milk to Bega Cheese, with 320 milking cows producing more than 14,000 litres on a rolling herd 305-day average.

The Silvermere Holsteins property comprises three non-contiguous holdings; Callara (100ha), Mooringa (100ha) and Creswick (150ha).

Silvermere Holsteins is capable of producing irrigated fodder crops.

The property has a Delaval milking parlour, 12 double rapid exit and is capable of irrigating about 144ha for fodder production.

The Silvermere Holsteins water portfolio also comprises 669ML General Security Lachlan Regulated River Water, 637ML, High Security Lachlan Regulated River Water and 417ML Upper Lachlan Alluvial Groundwater.