Historic SA Farm On Market After 100+ Years In One Family

Landmark Rural Property For Sale South Australia Expected To Fetch $20M+

Former Australian Farmer and Grain Grower of the Year Peter Kuhlmann is bringing down the curtain on more than a century of family farming history with the sale of historic ‘Mudabie’ on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

Strategically expanded and evolved through three generations of fathers and sons, the 18,400-hectare Mudamuckla landholding – one of the state’s largest contiguous cropping properties – is being sold as a turnkey operation via an Expressions of Interest campaign by Jock Grimshaw, Geoff Warriner and Chris Holgar from JLL Agribusiness.

Offers north of $20 million on a walk-in-walk-out basis are expected for the institutional-grade rural property for sale South Australia, which supports a mixed-farming operation primarily focused on broad-hectare dryland cropping and a breeding flock of merinos for prime lamb and wool production.

This rural property for sale South Australia is being offered for sale for the first time in more than one hundred years

Grimshaw highlights its contiguous productive capacity within a region that features well-established and essential agriculture infrastructure, including proximity to the deep-sea Thevenard Port, as well as multiple grain receival sites, all connected via direct frontage to the Eyre Highway.

“This ready-made network enhances its core appeal as a turnkey operation, with features including an extensive suite of plant and equipment, established management systems, and outstanding structural and ancillary improvements, including two historic homesteads, staff residences, and an airstrip,” he says.

“With the property coming to market for the first time, we anticipate strong interest from corporate and institutional groups, drawn by the opportunity to secure geographical diversity via the Eyre Peninsula region at an unrivalled scale, as well as private operators seeking greater scale in the region due to the property’s tightly-held and high-performing history.”

This rural property for sale South Australia comprises 18,400 hectares, making it one of the state’s largest contiguous cropping farms

Enhancing its appeal, Holgar notes that ‘Mudabie’ is operated by a team with significant local knowledge and more than 70 years’ experience in agriculture.

The historic property has spent more than 40 years under the stewardship of Kuhlmann, who took over as Managing Director in 1981 and continued the family legacy of leadership, evolution, and best practice in management and acquisition.

“The Kuhlmann’s ongoing investment in education, research and technology has positioned ‘Mudabie’ as a leader in the agricultural sector,” Holgar says. “Through a continued focus on incremental improvements and precision agriculture, they have been able to minimise risk while enhancing financial efficiency and profitability.

This rural property for sale South Australia is focused on broad-hectare dryland cropping, principally cereals, legumes and oilseeds

“This has played out across every level of the business, from practical strategies such as the implementation of risk mitigation via minimum tillage cropping systems to the introduction of remote management systems and the establishment of an independent Farm Advisory Board. It has allowed the property to best capitalise on strong growing conditions in recent years.”

Additionally, Warriner says the property’s appeal is heightened by its comparative value proposition. “Underpinned by best-practice management, ‘Mudabie’ has been able to drive incremental improvements in cropping yields, creating a substantial impact on financial outcomes, with a return on asset averaging in excess of 8 per cent on the past five years, significantly above the industry average,” he says.

“On a national basis, the region represents a strong value proposition when you consider land rates and productive capacity. Compared with many other mid-to-high rainfall cropping areas throughout Australia, it offers a stronger and more attractive return profile.”

This rural property for sale South Australia features extensive plant/equipment and outstanding structural/ancillary improvements

Ranking among SA’s largest contiguous cropping properties, ‘Mudabie’ comprises a total land area of approximately 18,408.03 hectares (45,486.24 acres), of which around 12,476 hectares (30,828 acres) is considered arable.

The property is operated under a mixed farming model, with operations primarily focused on broad-hectare dryland cropping, principally cereals (wheat, barley and oats), legumes (lentils and vetch) and oilseeds (canola), whilst also supporting a breeding flock of around 2,000 self-replacing merino ewes for prime lamb and wool production.

Comprising gently to slightly undulating topography with light swale rises and sandhill traversing the property, ‘Mudabie’ features a mixed soil profile comprising red sandy loam with areas of heavier red and grey calcareous sandy loams with areas of limestone. Soil types across the property have benefitted from soil amelioration, consistent fertiliser application, and minimum tillage systems.

Best-practice management has enabled this rural property for sale South Australia to drive incremental improvements in cropping yields

The grazing enterprise is operated in a complimentary manner to the larger cropping enterprise, implementing regenerated medic pastures amongst the cropping rotation and feed-lotting sheep in the dedicated confinement areas.

Secure stock water is a feature of the property. Water resources are secured via mains access (pipeline traverses the holding with 16 existing access points) and reticulated to header and storage tanks and 70 stock troughs across the holding.

‘Mudabie’ also comprises a purpose-built, poly-lined water catchment facility for water harvesting covering approximately 1.3 hectares and feeding into an adjacent two-million litre lined sub-surface tank. Equipped with a solar pump, water is pumped to the main sheds for spray water.

This rural property for sale South Australia features substantial on-farm elevated grain storage capacity totalling 1,927 tonnes

Offering significant economies of scale and operational efficiencies created by the contiguous scale, the property is well-supported by outstanding structural improvements, including a broad range of fit-for-purpose operational infrastructure.

The property features substantial on-farm elevated grain storage capacity (circa 1,927 tonnes) through numerous grain silos ranging from 75-tonne to 220-tonne units, enhancing on-farm efficiency and end-market pricing control.

‘Mudabie’ is fenced into 55 grazing paddocks, plus eight yards dedicated to livestock confinement. There are 77 arable paddocks. Fencing is primarily constructed of timber posts, cyclone, and a top barb wire, as well as areas featuring steel droppers. Overall, fencing is considered to be in stock-proof condition.

This rural property for sale South Australia supports a flock of around 2,000 merino ewes for prime lamb and wool production

The property benefits from multiple stock-handling facilities, including two primary facilities at each of its two main operational hubs with fully-enclosed, four-stand shearing sheds with an approximate 300-head capacity, supported by associated stock yards (approximately 2,000-head capacity), including blind race, auto-draft, pneumatic handler and multiple holding pens.

‘Mudabie’ also includes two eight-paddock confinement areas dedicated to feed-lotting sheep with portable feeders and a central laneway, as well as drafting race constructed of k-rail panels. Additionally, livestock handling is supported by fixed satellite stock yards located throughout ‘Mudabie’ in areas across the farm which are considered remote in relation to the primary facilities, enhancing the property’s overall handling efficiency.

The property features numerous shed structures for machinery, implements, chemicals, fertilisers, workshops, and other storage, most of which comprise steel frames with iron clad walls and concrete flooring.

This rural property for sale South Australia boasts two historic homesteads, including ‘Oakleigh’ with five bedrooms and two bathrooms

What’s more, ‘Mudabie’ boasts two historic homesteads and four staff residences.

The historic ‘Oakleigh’ homestead, built around 1928 and renovated in the 90’s, comprises limestone walls, well-established gardens amongst native trees, detached garage and in-ground swimming pool. Internally, the residence includes five bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen/dining area, two living areas, office, ducted cooling system, and slow combustion wood heater.

Reflecting similar attributes to ‘Oakleigh’, ‘Harry’s’ homestead (circa 1940) is another historic residence located amongst the primary operational hub. On the outside, the dwelling features limestone walls, established native gardens, and two detached garages; while inside it offers five bedrooms, one-bathroom, kitchen/dining, separate lounge area, slow combustion wood heater, and evaporative air conditioner.

This rural property for sale South Australia includes a second homestead, ‘Harry’s’ located amongst the primary operational hub

Complementing the main homesteads, three staff residences provide three bedrooms and one bathroom; while a fourth residence includes five bedrooms, one bathroom, open plan kitchen, dining and living area, large outdoor patio area, and a fully enclosed courtyard.

Topping off the extensive list of features, ‘Mudabie’ is serviced by a two-directional airstrip.

‘Mudabie’ is offered for sale by Expression of Interest closing on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 4pm. Click on the following link for more information on this rural property for sale SA at 42666 Eyre Highway, Mudamuckla.