A mixed farming entry opportunity – or two, if not three – has arisen in the northern Riverina with the offering of the “Talloon” Aggregation at Tallimba, near West Wyalong.
For sale by tender are the adjoining properties “Talloon”, of 334 hectares (825ac) and “Silvestre” of 579ha (1431ac) – a combined area of 913ha (2256ac).
Situated 37 kilometres west of West Wyalong, the properties are owned by Colin Stokes and his wife Tricia, who are selling in order to retire.
The aggregation is being marketed by Oscar Freeman and Angus McLaren of Miller and James Real Estate, Temora, with tenders due to close on August 10 (unless sold before).
Offers are sought for the aggregation either as a whole, or as separate blocks, with bids for the whole expected in an affordable price range in the vicinity of $1.8 million.
A nearby third block, the 478ha “Dorrisvale”, owned by Mr Stokes’ sister Ros Allen and originally forming part of the sale aggregation, may also be available on a lease or sharefarm basis to a successful purchaser.
The aggregation has been built up over more than 90 years, starting when the original “Silvestre” property was drawn by Mr Stokes’ grandfather in 1924 in a soldier settler ballot from the north-west corner of Buddigower Station.
Last season "Talloon" produced a wheat crop of just under three tonnes a hectare.
“Talloon” was added in the early 1990s, making a contiguous land parcel which under present management supports a Dorper sheep enterprise based on 900 ewes, and about 400ha of winter cropping.
The properties, like most throughout the NSW grain belt, are feeling the effects of the prolonged dry spell, having received only 84mm so far this year against an annual average of about 450mm.
As a result, the 400ha (approx) of wheat and canola in the ground are still in various stages of emergence, and looking for a much-needed break in the weather. But an astute buyer will be undeterred by the temporary state of the season, and recognise the productive potential of the country, which last season produced a wheat crop of just under three tonnes/ha.
Timbered originally by pine, box, yarran and mallee with ironbark ridges, the country is predominantly of red clay loam formation ideally suited to mixed farming of sheep with winter cropping.
The properties are described as 75-80 per cent arable, and under present management about 24pc of the total area is under cultivation, a further 58pc is open grazing and the balance green timber and infrastructure.
Working improvements are in good order and include a three-stand raised board shearing shed with steel sheepyards, a 500-tonne steel grain shed with concrete floor, 30m x 12m steel machinery shed, hay shed and 320-tonne silo battery.
The main homestead on “Silvestre” is of brick veneer construction with three bedrooms, reverse-cycle air conditioning, wood heating and double garage.
“Talloon” also comes with a three-bedroom home plus a detached two-bedroom cottage and double garage.