Properties of 20,000 dry sheep equivalent capacity have long been a rarity around Wagga Wagga; only half a dozen or so have hit the market in the past 20 years.
Now another property in this serious grazing league is in play, with the listing for sale of “Cheviot Hills”, the 2024-hectare (5026-acre) mixed farming property owned by racing identity, Sandy Tait.
Situated 50 kilometres south of Wagga Wagga, “Cheviot Hills” was owned by Ron Grigg before Mr Tait bought it five years ago. Since then it has been substantially upgraded under the keen eye of farm manager, David Guilfoyle.
Mr Tait, whose honour roll of equine success stories includes star galloper, Tie The Knot, has his pastoral base at “Gunnong Jugrawah”, Coolac.
He is now looking to rationalise his rural operations (which include other properties, as well as his Thor-
oughbred breeding activities) and has listed “Cheviot Hills” for sale with Elders Wagga Wagga.
It will go to auction on March 30 and according to listing agent, Bob Wheeler, the vendor is a committed seller who, “within reason”, will meet the market.
Mr Tait has been running “Cheviot Hills” as a grazing operation based on a self-replacing Merino flock and Hereford breeding herd, underpinned by an ongoing pasture improvement program.
Cropping is undertaken mainly as an adjunct to the livestock enterprises, although an estimated 1080ha or about 55 per cent of the total area is considered suitable for cereal cropping.
Stock on hand include a classed Merino flock of just over 7000 sheep (One Oak blood) and 830 head of Hereford cattle including 500 cows.
Of special interest to prospective buyers is the fact Mr Tait is prepared to negotiate the sale of all livestock, which includes 4000 ewes joined to Dorsets – a recipe for substantial early cashflow.
Comprising mostly gently undulating country (much of it with an easterly aspect) with some low grazing hills, “Cheviot Hills” has a long history of pasture improvement, ramped up in recent years.
About 445ha has been sown down to high-performance pastures since 2004 and half the property is topdressed each year with 22 per cent superphosphate.
Timbered naturally with yellow, red and grey box, red gum, stringybark and kurrajong, the property has pockets of retained shelter augmented by strategic plantings.
Average annual rainfall is 650 millimetres (last year the property received 500mm – not to mention the 130mm that’s fallen since last Friday) and stock water is supplied by 52 dams and a spring-fed creek.
Fencing has been a high priority during Mr Tait’s ownership and a new laneway system servicing the 47 paddocks has greatly facilitated stock movement.
Working improvements are of a high order and include a large six-stand woolshed with 1400 sheep capacity and internal sheepyards.
There is also a second woolshed of three stands and sheepyards, plus a new set of Proway steel cattle yards (400-head capacity), workshop, chemical shed and silos with 350 tonnes of silo storage.
The attractive homestead, built in 2005, is of rendered brick construction with three bedrooms, open-plan living area and split system air conditioning.
It is set in landscaped gardens with in-ground sprinkler system and self-contained guest quarters adjacent.
Other accommodation includes a five-bedroom staff house and two-bedroom workers’ quarters, both air-conditioned.
Subject to satisfactory negotiations, the present manager, David Guilfoyle, has indicated he is prepared to stay on for a limited time, if desired, to smooth the changeover to a new owner.
Recent sales in the district have seen good arable grazing country sell between about $1100 and $1600 an acre ($2750 to $4000 a hectare), although “Cheviot Hills” is considered hard to call, by virtue of its large scale, outstanding improvements and committed vendor.
Contact Elders Wagga Wagga, (02) 6923 4660.
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