FOR prospective large-scale cattle breeders who might be tossing up between a property in the Upper Hunter and one on the Western Slopes, a solution to the dilemma is at hand.
By buying the “St Antoine” aggregation, you can have both in one package.
This 5483-hectare (13,550-acre) property, which straddles the Great Dividing Range near Cassilis, is the home of Castlebar Holdings, the cattle-breeding powerhouse built up over 20 years by Sydney businessman, Tony Maurici.
Starting in 1992 with the 1569ha “Donga” and 2055ha “St Antoine”, he moved on in 1996-97 to annex a further 1860ha in “Glenwood”, “Killarney” and “Kangalandi”.
He had originally hoped to build the aggregation to about 10,000ha, but was beaten to some adjoining land by other similarly expansionist neighbours.
Not that his existing aggregation is anything to be ashamed of.
It ranks as one of the largest holdings in the Upper Hunter, consistently carrying upwards of 2200 Angus breeders.
But with Mr Maurici now ready to move on, the property has been listed for sale by expressions of interest with Davidson Cameron and Company of Gunnedah.
Tenders are invited for the property as a whole, or in five component sections (or combinations thereof) by a closing date of September 15.
Sales of portions will be non-contingent.
The respected “St Antoine” Angus cattle herd, currently numbering about 1600 breeders plus dry cattle, can also be purchased by negotiation if desired.
It therefore presents an opportunity for a serious investor to acquire a substantial stake in the cattle industry in a central location noted for its reliable rainfall and fertile soils.
Situated 14 kilometres north-east of Cassilis, and 3.5 hours from Sydney, the property is mostly in the Upper Hunter catchment, but also extends west of the Great Divide into the Macquarie Valley.
The country is predominantly undulating, but includes arable areas, hills and plateaus.
Elevation ranges from 750 metres to 1000m and average rainfall is a reliable 700 to 750 millimetres.
Cleared now except for shade and shelter trees (mostly white and yellow box), the property has a productive mix of native and introduced pastures.
Most of the area was once incorporated in what was Cassilis Station and for many years ran sheep at a stocking rate of about 2.5 dry sheep equivalents a hectare.
Aerial seeding of phalaris and cocksfoot, plus clover and lucerne establishment, has effectively doubled the country’s carrying capacity, in tandem with subdivision and water reticulation.
The property is managed for low-key controlled grazing, with cows run in mobs of about 90 within “cells” of three or four 40ha paddocks, allowing pastures ample rest periods.
Before settling on an all-breeding program, Mr Maurici was growing out his steers to EU market weights, and earlier still he was running 14,000 sheep (plus cattle) on the property.
He said sheep did well on the country, but were labour-intensive, and a cattle breeding operation based on annual sell-off of calves appeared to be the optimum management recipe.
At his second on-property sale held in May this year, 1100 EU-accredited Angus weaners sold to a top of $640, many to repeat buyers, and 300 pregnancy-tested-in-calf cows to $900.
The property is watered by several permanent or semi-permanent streams (including the Talbragar River, to which the “Glenwood” block has a double frontage), plus bores and dams.
The aggregation comes with extensive improvements including five homes, several sets of cattleyards, a six-stand woolshed and quarters, machinery sheds and workshop.
Recent sales in the region indicate a range of “cow area” values from $6000 to $7000, providing a pointer to the likely bidding scenario.
But according to listing agent, Michael Guest, the vendor is serious about selling and a result is expected to be achieved.
Contact Davidson Cameron and Company, (02) 6742 1828.
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