Our preview last week of a property at Ben Lomond referred to that locality as one of three “hot spots” on the Northern Tablelands specially prized for their grazing productivity.
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Another was the fertile plateau of high country to the south-east of Walcha, where this week another listing is attracting strong interest among graziers from near and far in urgent need of usable pasture.
The property in question is “Emu Tops” at Nowendoc, which has been listed for June 14 auction by Bruce Rutherford of Landmark Boulton’s at Walcha.
Situated 65 kilometres south of Walcha, the 323-hectare (800ac) “Emu Tops” is a property of mostly open, undulating to hilly country of the rich red basalt soils for which the region is renowned.
It has been held for the past 80 years by two generations of the Keating family and is being sold now by Kerry Keating who is scaling back following the recent death of her husband, Morgan.
The couple operated “Emu Tops” mainly as finishing country, to grow out and fatten cattle bred on their other property closer to Tamworth.
In earlier times “Emu Tops” was managed as a dairy, and Morgan grew potatoes there in the 1970s after taking over the property from his father, Thomas.
Introduced pastures of predominantly cocksfoot, rye and clovers were established at that time and the property has been regularly topdressed over the years to maintain productivity.
Two paddocks have been sown this year to fodder crops of turnips and oats, providing an ideal prelude to establishment of improved pastures next season.
The property ranges in elevation from 930 metres to 1060 metres above sea level which, coupled with its Eastern Fall setting, ensures an abundant and reliable rainfall.
“Emu Tops” is in fact an official weather station for the Bureau of Meteorology, which means its stated average rainfall of 1133mm is backed by years of recorded data.
Rainfall aside, the property is amply watered by spring-fed creeks and dams, with running water in most of the 14 paddocks.
If managed as a free-standing operation it is estimated “Emu Tops” could comfortably support a breeding herd of 200 cows.
But the property would also work well (as at present) as an adjunct to other country.
The property has been destocked in preparation for sale.
And a successful purchaser will be given immediate grazing access for up to 150 head of dry cattle upon exchange of contracts.
A comfortable weatherboard homestead of four bedrooms, built in the late 1950s and set in established gardens, has been updated in recent years and well maintained.
Working improvements include new steel cattle yards, three-bay steel machinery shed, enclosed workshop and storage shed.
Several recent sales in the Nowendoc area indicate a likely bidding range of $2.3-$2.5 million for “Emu Tops”, although the appeal of immediate grazing access could confound the predictions.
