MERINO sheep aficionados around the Central Tablelands would already be familiar – by name, if not direct association – with the property “Huntleigh” at Dunkeld.
It’s the home of Brian and Lynne Seaman, longtime Merino stalwarts and regular leading placegetters in local ewe competitions and wether trials. But not for much longer.
After 43 years on the job, developing the property and bringing his Merino flock to a high pitch of performance, Mr Seaman is ready to retire, and the couple will take up residence in nearby Bathurst.
They have listed “Huntleigh” for sale with Dennis Tyson and McCarron Cullinane and it will go to onsite auction on December 2, with bidding expected to approach $3 million.
Despite its “land bank” potential, as a choice block of land on Bathurst’s doorstep, “Huntleigh” is being marketed as a viable grazing property with an enviable performance history, coupled with a large and modern family home.
As such, it could well appeal to a “tree-changing” city family, or to down-sizing farmers from further west, seeking an easily managed working farm close to city amenities.
An added inducement is the fact that the vendors would consider a walk-in, walk-out sale, including the top-ranked Merino flock. Comprising 556 hectares (1373ac), “Huntleigh” has been managed by the Seamans primarily as a Merino breeding operation, supplemented by a few cattle.
Carrying capacity is estimated at nine DSE/ha and the property has typically carried 3500 Merino sheep – bred along pure Roseville Park bloodlines since 1985 – including 1500 breeding ewes.
Situated at Dunkeld, just over 15 kilometres west of Bathurst, “Huntleigh” is a property of mostly gently undulating country of soft granite formation, timbered by shade trees and shelter belts.
Excellent pasture cover has been achieved by regular seeding and topdressing, and the 25 main paddocks are well watered by dams or troughs. A feature of the property is the 40-square brick homestead, built in the 1990s and incorporating four bedrooms, a study, wrap-around verandah and double garage, set in established gardens.
Working structures include a four-stand shearing shed, sheep and cattle yards, a five-bay machinery shed, workshop and silos.