Who owns Queensland’s farms: The biggest landholders

Homegrown millionaires are competing with an American pension fund for ownership of QLD’s best farms. Search our interactive list to see who owns farms in your region.

Queensland has emerged as a hot-bed for investment as global and domestic demand for Australian farmland reaches fever pitch.

The Weekly Times’ annual investigation into who owns Australia’s farms shows significant investor movement over the past 12 months amid insatiable demand for rural property spurred by low interest rates, a dramatic turnaround in seasonal conditions and strong farmgate returns.

The investigation found that two mates from outback Northern Territory – Viv Oldfield and Donny Costello of Crown Point Pastoral Company – have snatched the coveted No. 1 landholder position from Ms Rinehart after purchasing 3.2 million hectares from her Hancock Agriculture and S Kidman and Co businesses in a landmark four-station deal.

It has taken Crown Point’s holdings to more than 7.2 million hectares across Northern Australia – greater than the size of Ireland.

From a value perspective, Canada’s PSP Investments – the pension fund for the Canadian public service including the world-famous royal mounted police force – cemented its No. 1 ranking with a portfolio of land and water assets now estimated at $5 billion.

But it’s not just the top end of town making a major play for agriculture in the past 12 months. Here is a list of some Queensland’s biggest landholders and the major properties they own.

AAAW GROUP — AUSTRALIA AULONG AUNIU WANG GROUP (CHINA)

Owned by large Chinese retailer Dashang Group which operates department stores and supermarkets.

• Oak Park, Charleville QLD – 78,000 hectares. Purchased in 2017 for $13.5-$15.5 million.

Source: pinnaclefinefoods.com.au

AAM INVESTMENT GROUP

Managers and operators of the Regional Livestock Exchange. In 2019 raised $60 million-plus for a new agriculture fund. Has investments in poultry assets in South Australia.

• Mount Harden, Blackall QLD – 34,005 hectares.

• Terrick Terrick, Blackall QLD – 55,000 hectares. Purchased in 2020.

• Thornleigh and Moorlands, Blackall QLD – 35,000 hectares.

• Wooralah, Blackall QLD – 8992 hectares.

Source: aamig.com.au

ALDERLEY PASTORAL COMPANY

Operated by Frank and Rada Blackett.

• Alderley Station, Boulia QLD.

ANGUS PASTORAL COMPANY

Family-owned beef company founded in 1960 and run by Blair and Josie Angus. Covers four properties totalling 161,875 hectares in central and north Queensland.

• Carpentaria Downs, Einasleigh QLD. Purchased in 2005.

• Chesterfield Station, Clermont QLD. Purchased in 1996.

• Kimberley Station, Clermont QLD. Purchased in 1978.

• Sondella feedlot, Clermont QLD. Purchased in 1991.

Source: signaturebeef.com.au

The feedlot at Signature Onfarm, a new abattoir built in Moranbah, Central Queensland, owned by Josie and Blair Angus. Picture: Heidi Petith

ARRABURY PASTORAL COMPANY

Run by the Daley family and operating across five properties and 1.3 million hectares of Queensland. The properties are strategically located in the Channel Country as well as around Blackall, Meandarra and Condamine and are used for beef production.

• Arrabury Station, Betoota QLD – 418,000 hectares.

• Binda, Condamine QLD

• Cluny Station, Bedourie QLD – 546,000 hectares.

• Mt Leonard Station, Betoota QLD – 337,000 hectares.

• Tarves Station, Blackall QLD – 10,567 hectares.

Source: arrabury.com.au

AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY

Founded in 1824, Australian Agricultural Company or AACo runs about 400,000 cattle across 6.4 million hectares of land. It is listed on the ASX with UK billionaire businessman Joe Lewis the biggest investor with a more-than-45 per cent stake.

• Avon and Austral Downs, Camooweal QLD – 863,100 hectares.

• Canobie Station, Cloncurry QLD – 492,100 hectares.

• Carrum Station, Julia Creek QLD – 50,613 hectares.

• Dalgonally Station, Julia Creek QLD – 128,000 hectares.

• Glentana Station, Springsure QLD.

• Goonoo Farm, Feedlot and Station, Emerald QLD.

• Headingly Station, Mt Isa QLD – 1,003,200 hectares.

• South Galway Station, Windorah QLD – 487,600 hectares.

• Wondoola Station, Normanton QLD – 252,500 hectares.

• Wylarah Station and Farm, Surat QLD – 40,468 hectares.

Source: aaco.com.au

AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY CHOICE

Third-generation vertically integrated beef company owned by rich-lister Trevor Lee and his family.

• Babbiloora Group, Augathella QLD – 237,325 hectares.

• Brindley Park aggregation and feedlot, Darling Downs QLD – 19,316 hectares.

• Brisbane Valley feedlot, Brisbane Valley QLD – 123 hectares.

• Dooloogarah, Injune QLD – 42,300 hectares.

• Dungowan, Dungowan QLD – 22,293 hectares.

• Gladys Downs, Augathella QLD – 20,060 hectares. Purchased in 2020.

• Hay Roma, Roma QLD – 859 hectares.

• MB9+, Darling Downs QLD – 1335 hectares.

• Moray Downs, Clermont QLD – 117,000 hectares.

• Opal Creek and feedlot, Cecil Plains QLD – 3116 hectares. Purchased in 2015.

• Redford Station, Mungallala QLD – 48,400 hectares.

• Toarki and Rosewood, Roma QLD – 8120 hectares.

• Tungamah, Darling Downs QLD – 14,221 hectares.

• Wellclose Group, Adavale QLD – 159,832 hectares.

Source: accbeef.net.au

AUSTRALIAN PASTORAL LAND COMPANY

Headed by AWX labour hire firm boss Tom Strachan. Holdings include:

• Lighthouse Station, Roma QLD – 7365 hectares. Purchased in 2015 for $14 million.

• Lorraine, Roma QLD.

BALDY BAY PASTORAL

At one point, Sterling Buntine ran about 2.5 million hectares of cattle properties in Northern Australia. Was part of a five-member syndicate that made a last-minute bid for S Kidman and Co in 2016.

• Comely and Mapala Stations, Bauhinia QLD — 23,000 hectares. Purchased from Consolidated Pastoral Company in 2019 for almost $50 million.

• Mimong Station, Kyuna QLD — 79,970 hectares. Purchased from Consolidated Pastoral Company in 2019 for about $20 million.

• Tulmur, Tranby and Owens Creek, Winton QLD – 74,620 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $7.8 million.

Comely Station at Bauhinia in Queensland, owned by Sterling Buntine’s Baldy Bay Pastoral.

BASS CATTLE COMPANY

Owned by David and Suzanne Bassingthwaite.

• Epenarra, Barkly Tablelands NT – 265,000 hectares. Purchased in 2019.

• Muldoon Station, Augathella QLD.

BC WATER PTY LTD (HONG KONG)

Hong Kong-based company that owns farming country on Queensland’s Darling Downs, also:

• Harcourt, Moura QLD – 1587 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for $10.3 million.

BIDGEL GRAZING

• Dalkeith Station, Flinton QLD – 15,411 hectares. Purchased in 2021 for $19-$20 million walk-in, walk-out.

BRIGODOON CATTLE COMPANY

Operated by Bill and Gretchen Speed and family. Feedlot and beef fattening enterprise with properties across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Cattle are bred near Alice Springs and Boulia, backgrounded at Jundah and Yaraka, and finished at Taroom.

• Linda Downs Station, Boulia QLD – 202,343 hectares.

• Mount Marlow Station, Blackall QLD – 73,100 hectares. Purchased in 2016 for $5.25 million.

• Retreat Station, Jundah QLD – 142,600 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $20 million.

• Tarlton Downs Station, Alice Springs NT – 303,514 hectares.

BROOK PASTORAL COMPANY

Organic beef pioneers David and Nell Brook and their family run about 3.5 million hectares in southern Queensland and South Australia, including:

• Adria Downs, Birdsville QLD — 870,000 hectares.

• Kamaran Downs, Bedourie QLD.

Pastoralist David Brook outside the famous Birdsville Hotel, which he once owned.

BUNDERRA CATTLE COMPANY

Owned by the Pickersgill family of Rockhampton in Queensland. Operates more than eight cattle stations in Queensland and the Northern Territory, including:

• Central Queensland portfolio, Rolleston QLD — 100,000 hectares.

CAMM AGRICULTURAL GROUP

Headed by father and son David and Bryce Camm. Sold the 390,600-hectare Natal Downs, Longton and Narellan stations to Rural Funds Group for $53 million, then leased them back.

• Marracoonda, Clermont QLD.

• Melrose, Kingaroy QLD.

• Morooco, St George QLD – 900 hectares of irrigation. Purchased in 2006.

• Natal Downs, Longton and Narellan, Charters Towers QLD — 390,600 hectares (leased).

• Nungaroo, Clermont QLD.

• Picardy, Moranbah QLD.

• Wonga Plains Feedlot, Bowenville QLD.

Source: cammgroup.com.au

CHRIS SKELTON

Queensland beef producer.

• Eildon Park, Winton QLD – 249,800 hectares.

• Kintilloch and Sunnybrea, Roma QLD — 7200 hectares.

• Strilling and Isoroy, Tambo QLD — 18,200 hectares.

• Wanganui, St George QLD — 12,500 hectares.

CONSOLIDATED PASTORAL COMPANY (UK)

British investor Guy Hands, and management, purchased the remainder of the Consolidated Pastoral Company assets in 2020 for $500 million. The deal included nine pastoral leases totalling 3.2 million hectares in the Northern Territory, 300,000 cattle and a 90 per cent stake in an Indonesian feedlot business.

• Allawah, Biloela QLD – 3069 hectares. Purchased in 1989. Home to 1100 stud females used to produce offspring for use in the company’s single sire, stud and commercial breeding programs.

• Isis Downs Station, Isisford QLD – 246,057 hectares. Purchased in 1987. Capable of running 21,000 cattle in favourable seasons.

• Wrotham Park Station, Cairns QLD – 596,880 hectares. Purchased in 2009. Carrying capacity of 47,600 cattle.

Source: pastoral.com

CORISH FARMS PTY LTD

Owned by former National Farmers’ Federation president Peter Corish and sons Simon and Nigel. Significant irrigated cropping interests in southern Queensland.

• Mundine, Goondiwindi QLD.

• Yambocully, Goondiwindi QLD – 4800 hectares.

• Yattlewondi, Mungindi QLD.

Peter Corish during his time as NFF president.

DUDDY FAMILY

Goondiwindi QLD farming family. Sold the South Callandoon cotton property in 2021 for about $100 million to MH Premum Farms.

• Dooruna, Clermont QLD – 12,800 hectares. Purchased in 2020 for $27 million.

ESCOTT CATTLE COMPANY

Run by the Daniels — one of the biggest cattle producing families in Queensland’s Gulf country. Sam Daniels is the managing director of Cloncurry’s Brodie and Co stock and station agency.

• Escott Station, Gulf of Carpentaria QLD.

• Nardoo Station, Cloncurry QLD – 97,500 hectares. Purchased in 2020 for $35 million.

• Toolebuc Station, Gulf of Carpentaria QLD.

FIERA COMOX (CANADA)

Canadian private equity investment firm that has billions worth of agriculture and forestry assets across the world. Areas of global investment include apples and cherries, almond, cotton and grain, maple syrup, row crops and dairy.

• Kia Ora and Clyde, Dirranbandi QLD — 36,422 hectares of cotton and grain properties. Purchased from Eastern Australia Agriculture in 2019.

FINASUCRE (BELGIUM)

In 2019 paid Hancock Agricultural Investment Group about $60 million for 10 macadamia farms boasting 1018 hectares of trees around Bundaberg in Queensland.

• Bundaberg Sugar Aggregation, Bundaberg QLD — 8000 hectares.

• Macadamia Aggregation, Bundaberg QLD — 1081 hectares.

FLETCHER INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS

Businessman Roger Fletcher runs a portfolio across NSW, Queensland and Western Australia encompassing more than 100,000 hectares.

GIBSON GRAZING

Owned by cattle producers and lot feeders Mick and Declan Gibson from Dalby in Queensland. Reportedly run 73,000 cattle across more than two million hectares in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

• Brookdale Aggregation, St George SA — 12,095 hectares

• Bulloo Downs Station, Thargomindah QLD — 1,070,000 hectares.

• Dynevor Downs Station, Cunnamulla QLD — 162,050 hectares.

• Manners Creek Station, Alice Springs NT. 687,900 hectares. Purchased in 2016.

• Olinda Park Feedlot, Dalby QLD.

• Sandringham Station, Boulia QLD — 450,000 hectares.

GODWIN GRAZING COMPANY

Operated by Sid and Tricia Godwin in western Queensland.

• Deearne, Taroom QLD – 7120 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $22.5 million.

• Silverleigh, Banana QLD.

• Tanderra Station, Springsure QLD.

• Welcome, Springsure QLD.

GUNN AGRI PARTNERS/CUNNINGHAM CATTLE COMPANY

Fund established by Bill Gunn, son of late pastoralist Sir William Gunn. Has separate managed accounts for beef, cropping, permanent crops and dairy. Cunningham Cattle Company is the operating entity owned by the fund.

• Abingdon Downs, Georgetown QLD. 484,000 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for more than $40 million.

• Ballaroo, Roma QLD – 11,463 hectares. Purchased in 2015.

• Ekari Park, Roma QLD – 13,239 hectares. Purchased in 2015.

• Esmeralda Station, Richmond QLD – 406,000 hectares. Purchased in 2016 for about $40 million.

• Fairview, Roma QLD – 11,393 hectares. Purchased in 2015.

• Goodar Station, Goondiwindi QLD – 18,400 hectares. Purchased in 2016 for about $20 million.

• Katandra/Illalong, Hughenden QLD – 51,620 hectares. Purchased in 2017 for about $17 million.

Source: gunnagri.com

HAILIANG GROUP (CHINA)

One of China’s top 500 groups, controlled by Feng Hailiang – China’s 90th richest man.

• Hollymount Station and Mt Driven, St George QLD. 50,000 hectares. Purchased for $40 million in 2015.

HANCOCK AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT GROUP (UNITED STATES)

Founded in 1990, Boston-headquartered Hancock Agricultural Investment Group manages about US$4 billion worth of farmland globally. It Australian investments, including 44,899 hectares of land, are worth an estimated $1 billion. In February this year it sold the 12,840-hectare Kalanga Aggregation near Goondiwindi for $80 million.

• Norman Farming aggregation, Toobeah QLD – 6000 hectares.

HANCOCK AGRICULTURE — GINA RINEHART

• Forestvale, Roma QLD — 2082 hectares.

• Holyrood, Roma QLD – 4844 hectares.

• Maffra South, Roma QLD — 14,567 hectares.

• Maydan Feedlot, Warwick QLD — 451 hectares.

• South Burnett Aggregation, South Burnett QLD — 3682 hectares.

• Warra Warra, Dalby QLD – 3069 hectares.

HARVEY BLACK

Queensland businessman

• Mt Enniskillen, Blackall QLD – 135,200 hectares. Purchased in 2020 from Clark and Tait for more than $40 million.

HEYTESBURY CATTLE COMPANY

Owned by the Holmes a Court family, the Heytesbury Cattle Company holds 2.53 million hectares across the Northern Territory and the eastern Kimberley in Western Australia. Its portfolio includes the iconic Victoria River Downs Station.

• Victoria River Downs and Humbert River Stations, Victoria River QLD – 390,400 hectares.

Source: heytesburycattleco.com.au

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court at the National Press Club in Canberra recently. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

HUGHES PASTORAL GROUP-GEORGINA PASTORAL COMPANY

Hughes Pastoral Group and its sister Georgina Pastoral Company operate more than 3.9 million hectares across stations in Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory.

• Caldervale, Carwell and Mt Lindsay, Tambo QLD – 160,000 hectares.

• Cardowan, Doreen (leased) and Main Camp, Nebo QLD – 133,000 hectares.

• Cawnpore Station, Boulia QLD – 121,400 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $11 million.

• Keeroongooloo and Yeppera, Cooper Creek QLD – 700,000 hectares.

• Miranda Downs Station, Normanton QLD — 438,000 hectares.

• Sirram, Main Range and Joe Lodges, Nebo QLD.

• Tierawoomba, Mt Scott, Atinla and Snake Creek, Nebo QLD – 140,000 hectares.

• Tumbar and Marsden, Jericho QLD – 80,000 hectares.

• Waitara, New Yard, Mr Whyte and Urani, Nebo QLD.

Source: hughespastoral.com.au

JOHN & ROBYN ROGER

• Brackenburgh aggregation, Middleton QLD – 182,481 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for $22.25 million.

• Hatchem Downs, Taroom QLD.

KAHMOO PASTORAL COMPANY

Owned by fourth-generation farmer Kym Thomas and family.

• Kahmoo Station, Cunnamulla QLD – 32,275 hectares.

Source: kahmoo.com

KEATS FAMILY PASTORAL

Family owned and operated pastoral company running across five farms in outback Queensland.

• Belford Station, Richmond QLD – 48,562 hectares.

• Gleeson/White Hills, Cloncurry QLD – 75,676 hectares.

• Kiama, Mackay QLD – 324 hectares.

• Pialah, Richmond QLD.

LORD CATTLE-LORD & PENNA GRAZING BUSINESS

Lord Cattle is owned and operated by James and Marjorie Lord with Lord and Penna a partnership with Kacie and Ardie Lord and Gerard and Linda Penna.

• Bayrick, Tambo QLD – 14,574 hectares.

• May Downs, Mt Isa QLD – 234,000 hectares. Purchased in 1986.

• Nottingham Downs/Wick, Hughenden QLD. Purchased in 2005.

• Woolthorpe, Aramac QLD – 45,730 hectares.

MACQUARIE AGRICULTURE

• Armraynald Station, Burketown QLD – 214,090 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Clonagh Station, Cloncurry QLD – 214,270 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Davenport Downs, Winton QLD – 1,510,000 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Gregory Downs Station, Mt Isa QLD – 266,425 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Malvern Hills Station, Blackall QLD – 50,070 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Moira Runda, Condamine QLD – 12,510 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Rocklands, Camooweal QLD – 677,964 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Tanbar Station, Windorah QLD – 1,021,904 hectares (Paraway Pastoral Company).

• Cubbie Station, Dirranbandi, QLD – 93,000 hectares.

McCOY FAMILY

• Prospect Station, Croydon QLD. 90,900 hectares.

McDONALD HOLDINGS

Family owned and operated, McDonald Holdings runs about 175,000 cattle on 3.36 million hectares across 14 properties in Queensland, from the Cape York Peninsula to the Darling Downs.

• Brightlands Station, Cloncurry QLD. Purchased in 1946. A breeding station that also fatten Angus-cross steers before entering the Wallumba feedlot.

• Chatsworth Station, Cloncurry QLD. At full capacity will run 30,000 cattle.

• Clearwater Station, St George QLD – 1215 hectares. Carrying capacity of 3000 dry cattle.

• Devoncourt Station, Cloncurry QLD. Home to the MDH head office with a carrying capacity of 12,000 cattle.

• Dunbar Station, Normanton QLD. Runs 20,000 Brahman breeding cows.

• Iffley Station, Normanton QLD. Runs about 20,000 breeding cows.

• Kierawonga/Leitrim, Rockhampton QLD. Prime Central Highlands fattening and cropping property.

• Mt Windsor, Charters Towers QLD. Located on the Mayne River, typically runs 5000 breeding cows.

• Nangram, Toowoomba QLD. Purchased in 2013, adjoins the Wallumba feedlot and is made up on nine irrigated centre pivots.

• Rutland Plains, Normanton QLD. Runs a 15,000-head Brahman-cross breeding herd.

• Stradbroke Station, Dajarra QLD. One of the original Stanbroke Pastoral Company properties, now solely used for backgrounding cattle for feedlot.

• Verdun Valley, Boulia QLD. Ranked among the best fattening country in Australia with a capacity for 4000 cattle.

• Wallumba Feedlot, Toowoomba QLD. Purchased in 2001, licence to feed 10,000 cattle.

Source: mdh.net.au

McINTYRE PASTORAL COMPANY

• Rainbow, Rolleston QLD.

McLOUGHLIN CATTLE PROPERTIES

Sold the 147,000-hectare Aroona Station in Northern Territory to Hancock Prospecting and Gina Rinehart in 2017 for $13.5 million. Sold the 423,493-hectare neighbouring Roxborough Downs and Mudgerebar Stations at Boulia in 2020 for $40 million.

• Rainbow, Rolleston QLD

• Thornhill Aggregation, Hughenden QLD

McMILLAN PASTORAL COMPANY

Well-known north Australian cattle producers.

• Carsland Station, Quamby QLD.

• Corella Park Station, Cloncurry QLD.

• Inorunie Station, Cloncurry QLD.

• Mt Roseby Station, Cloncurry QLD.

• Roxborough Downs and Mudgerebar, QLD – 423,494 hectares. Purchased from the McLoughlin family (see separate listing) in 2020 for $40 million bare.

• Wollogorang/Wentworth, Gulf of Carpentaria QLD – 705,198 hectares. Purchased in 2020 for $53 million.

MH PREMIUM FARMS (UNITED KINGDOM)

Owned by UK-based Australian billionaire Sir Michael Hintze, MH Premium Farms was founded in 2007 and now operates across more than 87,500 hectares and 19 properties in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

• Boolarwell, Talwood QLD – 7706 hectares. Purchased in 2014.

• Delta, Ayr QLD – 457 hectares. Purchased in 2016.

• Haughton, Giru QLD – 772 hectares. Purchased in 2011.

• South Callandoon, Goondiwindi QLD — 12,168 hectares. Purchased in 2021.

MILLS FAMILY

Large-scale croppers between Moree in northern NSW and Goondiwindi in Queensland. Also own pastoral company in western Queensland.

• Myendetta, Charleville QLD – 16,261 hectares.

• Hythe, Charleville QLD – 4171 hectares.

• Mangalore, Charleville QLD – 7221 hectares.

MORELLA AGRICULTURE

Owned by the Goondiwindi-based Coulton family. Grows irrigated cotton and cereal crops and runs a large herd of Angus breeding cows on a number of properties throughout Queensland and northern NSW.

• Alcheringa, Goondiwindi QLD.

• Kalanga Aggregation, Goondiwindi QLD. Purchased in 2021.

• Keetah Downs, Texas QLD – 2104 hectares. Purchased in 2021 for $2.1 million.

• Nappa Merrie Station, Thargomindah QLD – 720,000 hectares. Purchased in 2016 for $16 million.

• Tandawanna North, Bungunya QLD.

MSF SUGAR

Australia’s largest sugarcane farmer with a corporate office at Gordonvale, just south of Cairns, in Queensland. Owns about 13,700 hectares of land as well as 23,850 megalitres of water from the Lower Mary and Mareeba Dimbulah Sunwater irrigation schemes.

• Far North aggregation QLD – 8000 hectares.

• Maryborough aggregation, Maryborough QLD – 5500 hectares.

• Mary Harbour, Maryborough QLD – 174 hectares.

Source: msfsugar.com.au

The Gordonvale sugar mill south of Cairns, owned and operated by MSF Sugar. Picture: Brendan Radke

MUIRHEAD PASTORAL COMPANY

Operated by Reid and Julie Muirhead from northern Queensland.

• Weetalaba Station, Collinsville QLD.

NOBBS FAMILY

• Wingara, Moura QLD.

• Yandina and Nulgra Downs, Orion QLD – 8490 hectares. Purchased in 2020 for $31.5 million.

NORTH AUSTRALIAN PASTORAL COMPANY

The purchase of the 135,000-hectare Mantuan Downs Station in central Queensland last year has taken the North Australian Pastoral Company’s investments in farmland to more than six million hectares.

• Boomarra Station, Cloncurry QLD – 108,000 hectares.

• Coolullah Station, Cloncurry QLD – 214,000 hectares.

• Coorabulka Station, Boulia QLD – 637,000 hectares.

• Cungelella Station, Springsure QLD – 21,870 hectares.

• Glenormiston Station, Boulia QLD – 692,000 hectares.

• Goldsborough Station, Roma QLD – 11,600 hectares.

• Kynuna Station, Julia Creek QLD – 140,563 hectares.

• Mantuan Downs Station, Springsure QLD – 135,000 hectares. Purchased in 2020 from Clark and Tait for more than $60 million.

• Marion Downs Station, Boulia QLD – 1,287,000 hectares.

• Monkira Station, Windorah QLD – 373,000 hectares.

• Portland Downs Station, Isisford QLD – 100,000 hectares.

• Wainui Feedlot and Farm, Bowenville QLD – 5000 hectares.

NORTH QUEENSLAND CATTLE COMPANY

• Strathpark Station, Norman River Crossing QLD — 159,700 hectares.

NORTH STAR PASTORAL

Privately owned company operating over almost 750,000 hectares.

• Venture/Kui Downs, Gordonstone QLD – 3440 hectares.

Source: northstarpastoral.com.au

OAK HILL PARTNERSHIP

• Wathopa, Thargomindah QLD — 35,076 hectares.

OLAM INTERNATIONAL

Since 2009 has owned and operated 15,000 hectares of almond orchards across 11 farms in Victoria’s Sunraysia region. Also owns Queensland Cotton business. Assets include:

• Codenwarra West, Emerald QLD – 3443 hectares. Purchased in 2020 for $18 million.

ORIENTAL AGRICULTURE (CHINA)

Shanghai-based private company.

• Undabri, Goondiwindi QLD. 11,935 hectares. Purchased in 2014 for $30 million.

PACKHORSE PASTORAL COMPANY

• Stuart Creek, Roma QLD — 8360 hectares.

PALGROVE HOLDINGS PTY LTD (NEW ZEALAND)

Beef operation founded by Prue and David Bondfield. Comprises the Palgrove Charolais, Charbray and Ultrablack studs. Teamed with the New Zealand Superannuation Fund in 2017 to grow the business.

• Killaloo, Drillham QLD – 2025 hectares.

• Rhodesia, Emerald QLD – 2025 hectares.

• Strathgarve and Palgrove, Dalveen QLD – 4050 hectares.

PEMBROKE RESOURCES

Australian-based resources company.

• Iffley, Deveril and Twenty Mile, Moranbah QLD – 41,500 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for $50 million.

PHILIP & TANYA CURR

Well-known North Queensland graziers.

• Arizona, Julia Creek QLD.

• Claraville Station, Croydon QLD – 217,000 hectares. Purchased in 2020 for $23 million.

PROTERRA INVESTMENT PARTNERS (UNITED STATES)

Spin off of Cargill’s Black River Asset Management, Sold the 7350-hectare Kinbeachie aggregation to Daybreak Cropping in January 2019 for $25 million and offloaded its Corinella Group of properties in western Victoria and South Australia’s South East in 2021 for $350 million.

• One Tree Aggregation, Goondiwindi QLD — 23,594 hectares.
• Racecourse Aggregation, Mackay QLD — 14,425 hectares.

PSP INVESTMENTS (CANADA)

Manages the superannuation funds of the Canadian public sector and armed forces in addition to the 30,000 member-strong Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The biggest investor in Australian agriculture with about $5 billion in assets through direct investment and joint ventures.

• Alpha Station, Alpha QLD – 21,300 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Avocado orchards, Childers QLD – 840 hectares (Simpson Farms).

• Coolreagh, Julia Creek QLD – 25,000 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Elliott River macadamia orchard, Bundaberg QLD (Stahmann Webster).

• Fork Lagoon/Jaydena, Emerald QLD – 21,000 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Kangerong, Charters Towers QLD – 22,400 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Mount Cooper, Charters Towers QLD – 87,000 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Oakleigh, Maryborough QLD – 19,200 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Oakwood, Augathella QLD – 28,300 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Pegunny Aggregation, Moura QLD – 26,100 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Pony Hills Aggregation, Roma QLD – 58,700 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

• Welcome Creek macadamia orchard, Bundaberg QLD (Stahmann Webster).

• Yorkshire, Julia Creek QLD – 25,000 hectares (Hewitt Cattle Australia).

REARDON FARMS

Family farming business owned by Robert and Jennie Reardon in 1969 and operating in the Goondiwindi, Mungindi and Moree districts of northern NSW and southern Queensland. Grow dryland crops such as wheat, sorghum, barley, chickpeas, cotton and sunflowers as well as irrigated opportunity crops. Also runs a cattle breeding program and has a licensed feedlot.

• Delina Downs, Bungunyah QLD. Purchased in 2008.

• Mirreyah, Talwood QLD. Purchased in 1999.

• Riverside, Talwood QLD.

• Tandawanna, Talwood QLD.

• Willarie, Talwood QLD. Purchased in 1995.

• Wolonga, Talwood QLD. Purchased in 2002.

• Worral Creek Aggregation, Talwood QLD.

• Yarramildi, Talwood QLD.

Source: reardonfarms.com.au

REDROCK TRADING COMPANY

• Croydon Station, Marlborough QLD – 59,669 hectares.

RMI PTY LTD (CARRINGTON COTTON GROUP)

Owned by one of Queensland’s richest families, the Marchants. Operates a diverse farming business including beef, grains and cotton.

• Carrington Farms, Goondiwindi QLD – 57,370 hectares spread across 16 cotton, grain and grazing properties, including Oonavale, Kildonan, Murragoran and Lagoona. Failed to sell in 2010 with offers of $300 million expected.

ROB McGAVIN

Chief executive officer and executive chairman of Boundary Bend Limited (see separate listing).

• Barcaldine Downs, Barcaldine QLD – 46,735 hectares. Purchased in 2019 from Clark and Tait for $21 million.

RURAL FUNDS GROUP

The ASX-listed Rural Funds Group has large-scale investments in almonds, beef, cotton, macadamias and vineyards across NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria with $1.3 billion in assets under management.

• Beamba Plains, Rolleston QLD.

• Beef City feedlot, Toowoomba QLD – 26,500-head capacity with 760 hectares of cropping.

• Bonmac, Bundaberg QLD – 27 hectares of macadamias.

• Bundaberg QLD – 500 hectares of macadamias under development over three properties.

• Cerberus, Rockhampton QLD – 8280 hectares. Beef cattle breeding and backgrounding.

• Comanche, Glenroy QLD – 7600 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for $15.7 million.

• Coolibah, Rockhampton QLD — 724 hectares.

• Lynora Downs, Rolleston QLD – 4963-hectare cropping property including 1130 hectares of irrigation. Purchased in 2016.

• Maryborough Aggregation, Maryborough QLD – 3745 hectares. Comprises 22 cropping farms currently used for sugar cane. Intention to convert the farms to 2200 hectare of macadamia orchards.

• Mayneland, QLD – 2942 hectare cropping property including 484 hectares of irrigation and 11,234 megalitres of water entitlements. Purchased in 2018.

• Mutton Hole, Carpentaria QLD – 140,300 hectares. Beef cattle breeding.

• Natal Downs, Longston Station and Narellan, Charters Towers QLD – 390,600 hectares. Purchased in 2017 for $53 million.

• Oakland Park, Croydon QLD – 85,500 hectares. Beef cattle breeding.

• Rewan Station, Rolleston QLD – 17,500 hectares. Beef backgrounding and finishing.

• Swan Ridge and Moore Park, Bundaberg QLD – 234 hectares of macadamias.

• Wattlebank, Homehill and Yarra, Rockhampton QLD – 7419 hectares. Areas of the property expected to be developed to macadamia orchards over time.

Lynora Downs, owned by Rural Funds Group.

S KIDMAN AND CO (CHINA)

Gina Rinehart is the majority owner of the iconic S Kidman and Co business. Properties offloaded in the past 12 months include the 1.36 million-hectare Innamincka Station at Leigh Creek and the 1.1 million-hectare Macumba Station at Oodnadatta in South Australia and the 480,000-hectare Ruby Plains at Halls Creek in Western Australia.

• Durham Downs Station, Eromanga QLD – 891,000 hectares.

• Durrie Station, Birdsville QLD – 660,000 hectares.

• Glengyle Station, Birdsville QLD – 554,000 hectares.

• Morney Plains Station, Windorah QLD – 623,000 hectares.

• Naryilco Station, Tibooburra QLD – 751,000 hectares.

• Rockybank Station, Roma QLD – 14,600 hectares.

SCOTT CATTLE COMPANY

Run by former Meat and Livestock Australia director George Scott. Owns several properties.

• Thylungera Station, Quilpie QLD.

SCOTT HARRIS

Queensland cattleman. Also owns country around Tambo, near Blackall.

• Kingvale, Cape York QLD.

• Strathmore, Croydon QLD – 931,000 hectares. QLD’s single-biggest pastoral lease. Purchased in 2004 for about $20 million.

SIMMONS CATTLE COMPANY

Run by Queensland cattle producers Richard and Robyn Simmons.

• Avon Downs, Clermont QLD.

• Bungobine, Mt Coolon QLD – 36,900 hectares. Purchased in 2015.

• Whynot, Mt Coolon QLD – 45,600 hectares.

SIMON FAMILY

• Jimarndy, Clarke Creek QLD — 3646 hectares.

• Tawarri, Clarke Creek QLD — 9500 hectares.

• Tandarra, Clarke Creek QLD — 4402 hectares.

STANBROKE PASTORAL

Integrated beef and cattle company owned by the Menegazzo family. Operate seven cattle stations covering 1.2 million hectares in the Gulf region of QLD. Stanbroke beef is exported to more than 35 countries. Sold the 438,000-hectare Miranda Station near Normanton in Queensland in 2021 to Hughes Pastoral Company for $180 million.

• Augustus, Cloncurry QLD.

• Donors Hill, Cloncurry QLD.

• Fort Constantine, Cloncurry QLD.

• Glenore, Normanton QLD.

• Kamilaroi, Cloncurry QLD.

• McAllister, Normanton QLD.

• Warren Vale, Normanton QLD.

SUNDOWN PASTORAL COMPANY

Owned by the Statham family of northern NSW since 1964. Focused on beef cattle, irrigated cotton, wheat, sorghum, pulse crops, lucerne and other forage crops.

• Mirrimavale, Gladstone QLD – 486 hectares. Native timber plantation of Spotted Gum, Gympie Messmate, Blackbutt, Red Mahagony and White Gum sequestering carbon.

• St Ronans, Mt Garnet QLD – 44,000 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $18 million. Home to broadacre cropping, a 10,000-head beef herd and a 10,000-head feedlot.

Source: sundownpastoral.com.au

SWISS AUSTRALIA FARM HOLDINGS

Operates farms in NSW, South Australia and Queensland.

• Neumayer Valley Station, Normanton QLD. 143,000 hectares carrying 20,000 Brahman cows.

TIAA-CREF/NUVEEN (UNITED STATES)

One of the biggest investors in Australian agriculture, the New York-based Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund, through its asset management subsidiary Nuveen, owns almost 300,000 hectares of developed cropping country about 70 properties or aggregations. Its land and water portfolio is worth an estimated $2 billion.

• Brandon Farms, Ayr QLD – 440 hectares.

• Brookstead Farm, Condamine Plains QLD – 703 hectares.

• Gardner Farms, Cecil Plains QLD – 3985 hectares.

• Glenwood, Dalby QLD – 785 hectares.

• Herbert Valley Sugar, Ingham QLD – 1708 hectares.

• Lindley Downs, Springsure QLD – 3936 hectares.

• Macintyre Downs, Toobeah QLD – 6315 hectares.

• Warra, Jandowae QLD – 3797 hectares.

• Woodlands, Condamine QLD – 3186 hectares.

• Yattlewondi, Mungindi QLD – 3053 hectares.

TIVERTON AGRICULTURE

Investors in diverse food production assets that align with its strategy of combining regenerative agriculture, biodiversity solutions and natural capital value for superior investment returns.

• Picardy, QLD – 10,620 hectares. Conversion from beef farm to seasonal crops such as sorghum and chickpeas.

USHER PASTORAL COMPANY

Owned by Phil Usher of Brisbane. Operate over about 1.2 million hectares in southwest QLD, with additional properties around Taroom and Wandoan.

• Kyee Station, Eromanga QLD – 164,255 hectares. Purchased with Mt Margaret in 2017 for about $20 million.

• Mount Margaret and Berellem, Eromanga QLD – 470,504 hectares. Purchased with Kyee in 2017 for about $20 million.

• Orient and Norley, Channel Country QLD.

VELLA FAMILY

• Bald Hills Station, Marlborough QLD.

• Faust Family Farms, Prosperpine QLD – 3134 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $20.5 million.

WARAKIRRI ASSET MANAGEMENT

Warakirri Asset Management is another of Australian agriculture’s multimillion-dollar behemoths, with its own Warakirri Cropping and Warakirri Diversified Agriculture Fund assets as well as Aurora Dairies (backed by Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board – see separate listing)

• Myola, Dalby QLD – 4200 hectares (Warakirri Cropping).

• Willaroo, Goondiwindi QLD – 14,000 hectares (Warakirri Cropping).

• Wyobie, Dalby QLD – 2800 hectares (Warakirri Cropping).

WENTWORTH CATTLE COMPANY

Owned and operated by Richard and Dyan Hughes.

• Bluevale, Nebo QLD – 3251 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for $5.6 million.

• Strathalbyn, Collinsville QLD.

• Wentworth Station, Clermont QLD – 40,500 hectares.

WESTERN GRAZING COMPANY

Owned by the Oxenford family, Western Grazing started as a family-run dairy business before turning to large-scale beef production in the 1990s. Today it operates solely in Queensland. Sold its 1.2 million-hectare Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory’s Victoria River District in 2021 for $104 million to a partnership including Jumbuck Pastoral Company.

• Allendale Station, Augathella QLD – 21,000 hectares.

• Eurella Station, Muckadilla QLD – 22,000 hectares.

• Magowra Station, Normanton QLD – 294,000 hectares.

• Morstone Downs, Camooweal QLD – 176,000 hectares.

• Oban Station, Mt Isa QLD – 261,000 hectares.

Source: westerngrazing.com.au

WYADRIGAH PASTORAL COMPANY

Operated by the Barlow family with significant cropping and grazing interests in northern NSW and Queensland. Operate across a reported 110,000 hectares, including 23,472 hectares of dryland cropping, 2025 hectares of irrigation and 83,770 hectares of grazing land (including three properties at Cunnamulla in Queensland).

• This list was compiled from industry sources, websites and media reports. The Weekly Times, publisher of AgJournal, accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of this list. For more information, email [e-mail]