July 22, 2024

By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media

LAWD, a national Australian real estate firm that specializes in the agriculture industry, is overseeing the sale of Moorabinda, one translation of which is “foot of the hill” and which it describes as the “jewel in the crown of Queensland’s finest beef production region”. The property, which is considered an institutional-grade beef production asset, is one of the largest single private landholdings in the Taroom district and is making its debut on the market for the first time in over a century.

Also making headlines in the sector is word from two of Australia’s biggest cattle producers, who are reportedly optimistic about the future direction of cattle prices. Cattle ranchers Peter Hughes and Tim Roberts Thomson, otherwise known as “beef barons”, shared at The Australian’s Global Food Forum that global demand is outpacing supply, thereby fueling higher prices for Australian cows. Hughes’ grazing properties span 3.6 million hectares in the Northern Territory and Queensland, while Thomson’s ranches include 30,000 head of Angus cattle in addition to a dairy herd spread between Victoria, Tasmania and King Island.

Meanwhile, the size of U.S. cattle has shrunk to a multi-decade low of 87 million head amid robust export demand for Australian beef that’s expected to persist for the foreseeable future.

Back to Moorabinda, at 15,977 hectares (39,480 acres), the land boasts a carrying capacity of 6,000 head of adult cattle. The property is located in a tick-free zone where exceptional weight gains are common. It also is strategically close to several major feedlots with uninhibited road access to both the Roma and Dalby sale yards. Its legacy also extends to backgrounding, breeding and finishing. Since the property was listed, the social media response has been largely positive, including comments like, “paradise” and “one of the best blocks I have ever mustered on over the last 25 years.”

According to LAWD Director Grant Veivers, Moorabinda is a “property of elite quality, featuring each element required for efficient and profitable beef production, at scale.” He added: “Moorabinda has a high carrying capacity, strong land and vegetation types, flowing bores and high-quality improvements. If you add to this, its secure rainfall in a tick-free environment, in a location regarded as Queensland’s blue-ribbon beef production region, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Moorabinda features nearly four-dozen paddocks and an extensive development program comprising blade ploughing, as well as ongoing land management and improved pastures, with over 12,000 hectares of prime undulating brigalow, belah, bauhinia and vine scrub land types.

Livestock gain secure water access through 10 equipped bores (three of which are flowing), 53 earth dams and 47 troughs. Additionally, Queensland’s Taroom district is known to receive annual rainfall of approximately 655mm on average and more than 15km of dual frontage to Scotts Creek, all of which is buttressed by multiple permanent and seasonal waterholes and springs.

In addition to a pair of substantial modern homesteads, the property has benefited from investments in high-quality infrastructure upgrades, the highlights of which include two large sets of cattle yards, five machinery/storage sheds and pristine equine facilities.

LAWD Director Darren Collins emphasized that the sale represents a “highly rare opportunity to acquire what is a flagship property in the renowned Central Queensland beef production zone,” adding: “Very rarely does a property of this caliber and scale come to market. It is an absolute privilege for the team at LAWD to represent our vendors with the sale of this magnificent holding.”

Moorabinda is being offered for sale by Expressions of Interest closing at 12pm (AEST), Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, if not sold prior. If interested, contact LAWD Directors, Darren Collins on +61 404 781 787 or Grant Veivers on +61 429 844 585.

*The content put forth by Global AgInvesting News and its parent company HighQuest Partners is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. All information or other material herein is not to be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Global AgInvesting and HighQuest Partners are not a fiduciary in any manner, and the reader assumes the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content on this site.