Viridis Ag buys Oodnadatta Farms and Grainfields at Moree

Challenging seasonal conditions have not prevented Oodnadattta Farms and neighbouring Grainfields in the NSW Golden Triange being snapped up by Macquarie-backed Viridis Ag for healthy prices.

Crop country: Oodnadatta Farms at Moree has been purchased by Macquarie-backed Viridis Ag.

MACQUARIE-backed Viridis Ag has expanded its footprint in the Golden Triangle of northern NSW, splashing about $40 million in recent property purchases.

Viridis has purchased 3163ha dryland farming property Oodnadatta Farms for more than $7500 a hectare — or $23.72 million.

It has also snapped up the neighbouring 2058ha dryland cropping operation Grainfields for more than $15.43 million.

It comes after the company in March purchased 8870ha Brudle Park for about $50 million from Ceres Agricultural Company.

Oodnadatta was sold by NSW agribusiness figure Hugh Ball, who had owned the property since 2002, and had a price tag of $27.5 million when listed in August.

“It is a very good farm and the interest was solid despite the challenges of seasonal conditions,” selling agent Col Medway said.

“The quality of the district is still recognised.”

Grainfields was owned by one of Australia’s biggest landholders, North American teachers superannuation fund TIAA-CREF, which is managed by Westchester Group of Australia.

The Ball family had been leasing Grainfields, and they had essentially been run as the one operation.

The sale of Grainfields is subject to Foreign Investment Review Board Approval.