New England farm, Prestwick sold pre-auction
The historic New England high country property, Prestwick has been sold prior to auction.
Meares & Associates had been scheduled to auction the property today.
It sold to a Sydney investor with other rural interests.
The farm had been initially listed in autumn by Roger Grant, the Tamworth-based cattleman who had $5 million to $5.5 million hopes.
With a history dating back to the 1840’s when botanist and explorer Cunningham took up the land grant at Prestwick, it was marketed as a well managed and improved cattle breeding property enjoying all the features of the high country, including strong principally trap and basalt soils, normally high rainfall, with over 50% established with well improved pastures, including a mix of phalaris, cocksfoot, rye and clovers.
Located 55km southwest of Walcha and 53km from the regional centre of Tamworth, the 1,171 hectare (2,893 acres) property has traditionally carried 450 Angus breeding cows and heifers, with the progeny regularly topping the Tamworth premium weaner sale in January, at 8 – 10 months of age.
Prestwick has seen an extensive development program over the past three years with now approximately 565 ha (1,250 acres) of well developed pasture country and a further 60 ha (150 acres) recently cleared and being prepared for new pasture sowing next autumn.
There is also a potential to develop a further 160 ha (400 acres) with minimal timber clearing and pasturing. The property has also enjoyed a good top- dressing history in recent years with super applied again as recently as April this year.
The property includes a series of sheltered valleys, with excellent generic features including the principally rich trap and basalt soils.
At an altitude ranging from 800m – just under 1,000m above sea level, there's an annual average rainfall of approximately 36” per annum, and excellent water from the 2.5km frontage to the permanent Mulla Creek, approximately 31 large spring-fed dams, an equipped bore and a series of seasonal spring-fed creeks.
The major development program over the past three years has seen emphasis on fencing, including two efficient laneway systems to the south and west linking to the excellent new 500 head capacity all steel cattle yards complex.
There is also a new all steel hay/machinery shed close to the existing operating improvements. Further innovation has included the upgrading of the electricity services with power lines now placed underground and also the sinking of a new bore close to the homestead.
The freshly painted and airconditioned Prestwick homestead is a classic well designed spacious two storey weatherboard home comprising 3 bedrooms, office, living and modernised kitchen, with easterly facing verandahs overlooking the established gardens. The adjoining 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom manager’s house is also in very good order.
Prestwick is also recognised for its lifestyle benefits with its attractive homestead and its excellent fishing resources – the Mulla Creek recognised as a major brown trout stream – 70,000 fingerlings fed into the Mulla in recent years.
Chris Meares said Prestwick saw strong enquiry from Brisbane, rural Queensland, western New South Wales and Sydney.
"The owners of Prestwick have managed the extended dry conditions of the New England extremely well, always maintaining feed in front of their cattle.
"This has led them to minimise their cattle numbers in recent times and therefore, even with the small amount of rainfall received, the property is ‘grassing up’ and, hopefully given the summer storm pattern, should carry a good body of feed into the New Year.”
