Cattle Stations for Sale: Positive Outlook Forecast
MLA Forecasts Strong Growth In Cattle Market
With above-average rainfall predicted across New South Wales and parts of Queensland, the national cattle herd rebuild is set to continue through to 2024 when slaughter and production levels will hit record highs, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) first Cattle Industry Projections update for 2022.
Click on any of the following links to go straight to MLA's detailed analysis of the industry's key performance indicators, including:
National Herd
In a recent online presentation of the update, MLA said the national herd is projected to grow by 1.1 million - or 4 per cent - to 27.2 million head in 2022 as the rebuild becomes more pronounced.
However, MLA’s Market Information Manager, Stephen Bignell, cautioned that the pace of the rebuild will vary across different states, underpinned by a third year of favourable seasonal conditions for southern Australia.
“Herds in the southern states of New South Wales and Victoria will mature favourably, with large numbers of high-quality young breeding females and heifers joined to deliver a large cohort of calves for the 2022 spring. Females will be well nourished from abundant and good-quality pastures promoting favourable growing conditions,” he said.
“While the southern states are accelerating their rebuilds, success in the north will be ongoing, albeit at a slower pace.
“While Queensland’s rebuild has been aided by excellent spring and summer rainfall events in central and southern parts of the state, the northern pastoral system requires a positive end to the 2022 wet season before it’s rebuild can definitively begin in 2023.”
With another good wet season in 2023, the MLA expects the national herd to hit 28.25 million head in 2024, 8 per cent up on 2021 to the highest level since 2014.
“I’d like to see another good wet season for the rebuild in the north to really strengthen to develop and mature like we’ve seen in other states,” added MLA Market Information Analyst, Ripley Atkinson.
Bignell pointed out the rebuild is forecast to slow - with growth of 4.2 per cent in 2022, 2.7 per cent in 2024, and 1.2 per cent in 2024 expected.
“It shows the herd will mature; but it also shows we may get a turn of weather events in 2023 or 2024,” he said.
“Assuming there’s a continuation of favourable seasonal conditions for the eastern seaboard, forecast rainfall will provide solid bodies of feed entering winter.”
Though Bignell adds: “We’re in the second Le Nina, and BOM expects 80 per cent of Queensland to get above-average rainfall in the next three months. Statistically, you don’t often get three Le Nina’s in a row [though] it did happen in the ‘70s and in the ‘90s.
“Should 2022 not turn out as favourably as we expect, the season won’t be as bad as we saw in 2018-2019 because of the good seasons we’ve had.
“The good outlook for the next three months means there’ll be good water in the dams, good soil moisture, grass in the ground and grain.”
Slaughter & Production
Off the back of strong herd growth, the MLA forecasts slaughter numbers to rise by 11 per cent (or 700,000) to 6.7 million head in 2022. By 2024 the slaughter rate is predicted to hit 7.85 million head, up 31 per cent on 2021, albeit off a low base and below the 10-year average.
As a result, production volumes are expected to reach 2.08 million tonnes, assisted by record carcase weights of 311kg/head – up 2kg year-on-year and up 128kg since 2019.
Bignell pointed to several factors driving higher carcase weights, including “… improvements in management style, improvements in genetics, and the increasing prevalence of the lot-feed sector”.
“Higher prices are incentivising producers and lot feeders to add kilos – it makes economic sense,” he said, adding he expects carcase weights to remain around the 311kg-mark in 2023 and 2024 before plateauing as prices soften.
Not surprisingly, then, some 2.85 million head entered the feed-lot system in 2021 – with the sector accounting for 50 per cent of beef production.
Bignell expects this to strengthen further, with throughout running at one million head a quarter in 2022.
“That compares to a capacity of 1.4 million head (a utilisation of around 77 per cent) and there are more projects to come online to further boost the feedlot sector’s capacity,” he added.
By 2014, production is predicted to hit a record 2.448 million tonnes, according to the MLA – higher than the drought-inducted turn-off year of 2019, Ripley pointed out.
Export Markets
Bignell said the record numbers are a positive sign for export markets, with volumes forecast to exceed one million tonnes (1.08m tonnes) in 2022, jumping to 1.224m tonnes in 2024.
Live export is expected to top 750,000 head this year, and 830,000 by 2023, driven by increased supply off the back of the national herd rebuild and a resilient Indonesian market.
Growth in South Korea (now Australia’s second-largest market behind Japan), Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam is also helping to offset the decline in sales to China, he added.
“Following a challenging 2021 for export markets, Australian beef will enter a significant high-value export market when the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement comes into effect later this year,” Bignell said.
“As many countries continue to recover from the pandemic, demand for Australian beef is expected to grow in line with improving supply of cattle from the second half of 2022.”
However, Bignell cautioned that the industry faced headwinds in 2022 with transportation, staff shortages and the potential for the Australian dollar to appreciate all challenges to manage.
“While these challenges remain, the beef industry is experiencing market conditions and confidence never seen before at a producer level,” he said.
“Overall, the industry is in an incredibly positive position and will continue to deliver high value, high-quality Australian red meat to both emerging and established global markets.”
Domestic Consumption
MLA said continuing cattle pricing pressures impacting retail prices have seen consumption fall – though an 11 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase in beef retail prices in the third quarter of 2021 drove overall sales value growth.
It noted that COVID-19 variants have dramatically disrupted the recovery of the food service channel, with grocery stores the key beneficiary.
The butcher sales channel has not fared as well, MLA noted, with beef sales value and volume down by 6.2 per cent and 14.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter, according to Nielsen Homescan.
E-commerce has also bridged the gap of declining foot traffic in the retail market, but challenges such as labour shortages and last-minute delivery have greatly limited their margin growth.
MLA pointed to ABS data indicating that Australians are spending about $13 billion a month on food purchases. The data also indicates that Australians are still spending less on food service than they were in March 2019. With each lockdown, it appears the return to food service spending when the lockdown ends is getting less and less, MLA suggested.
“Therefore, the increase in retail spending for food seems to be a structural trend that will continue post COVID-1,” it noted.
“Each month, Australians are also spending nearly $1 billion on online food – another structural change in domestic spending habits that are expected to continue post-pandemic.”
Overall, MLA believes future population increases, along with income and macroeconomic growth, will continue to support firm demand for beef in the long term.
“However, current market dynamics – with increases in beef prices or reduced consumer incomes as a result of the pandemic – are seeing some shifts in the beef products consumers buy and the sales channels they use.
“Beef mince, beef sausage, rump steak, pre-prepared and sirloin (porterhouse) steak are the top-five fastest-growing cuts for online retailers, while beef stirfry/diced/strip/casserole cuts, mince and rump steak are the most popular cuts in brick-and-mortar stores,” MLA added.
Prices
All up, by June 2022 prices are predicted at between 921 cents per kilogram carcase weight (CWT) and 1,059c/kg CWT – with a mid-point of 997c/kg CWT, according to the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI), an aggregate average of forecasts from six respected industry analysts compiled by MLA.
The medium point would reflect a 11 per cent decline in current prices, Bignell noted, but compares with the 10-year average EYCI of 547c/kg CWT.
“At 997 that is still 82 per cent higher than the 10-year average and only 2021 prices are higher. So for producers out there, there is still strength in the market,” he said.
“The reason for any dip is as the rebuild matures, they’ll be greater supply of animals and there might be a little less re-stocker demand. But encouragingly, these are still record prices in an historical context.”
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We've curated some of our best cattle stations for sale in Australia below, to help you make an informed decision. To check out the full list of cattle stations for sale in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, TAS and the NT, click here.
Cattle Stations For Sale: Niangala, NSW
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a large-scale cattle station for sale in the South Walcha/Niangala area, which is fast becoming recognised as one of the premier livestock breeding and fattening regions in eastern Australia.
Above: This cattle station for sale presents a rare opportunity to acquire a large-scale cattle station for sale in South Walcha/Niangala area
With its altitude, high rainfall, rich basalt soils and climate, this is high-performance pasture country, with the 3,645.31-hectare (9,007-acre) holding capable of carrying 40,000 DSE, 2,750 cows and 6,000 steers.
Above: This cattle station for sale comprises 3,645.31ha capable of carrying 40,000 DSE, 2,750 cows and 6,000 steers
The holding includes two properties: ‘Kentucky Blue’, comprising a total area of 2,177.52 hectares (5,380 acres), 930 hectares (2,300 acres) of established pasture, and a carrying capacity of 1,100 cows and 14,500 DSE; and ‘The Flags’, comprising a total area of 1,467.79 hectares (3,626 acres), 1,415 hectares (3,492 acres) of established pasture, and a carrying capacity of 1,650 cows and 25,500 DSE.
Above: This cattle station for sale is fenced into some 56 main paddocks and includes efficient laneway system
Located on top of the Great Dividing Range, approximately 20km from Niangala, 57km from Tamworth and 108km from Armidale, the land holding is fenced into some 56 main paddocks and includes efficient laneway system.
Above: This cattle station for sale includes two large sets of modern cattle yards, two machinery sheds, and a grain/feed bunker
Adjoining the renowned Upton Farms, the property boasts heavy rich chocolate and black basalt soils. Approximately 2,350 hectares (5,800 acres) are high performance improved pasture, regularly top-dressed.
Above: This cattle station for sale boasts high rainfall, rich basalt soils and a climate that makes it high-performance pasture country
Outstanding livestock water is available via McDonald River and Smith’s Creek frontages, plus a network of spring-fed creeks, springs and 70 dams. The area benefits from reliable rainfall averaging 900-1,500mm annually.
Above: This cattle station for sale boasts outstanding livestock water available via several creeks and 70 dams
Improvements include a four-bedroom ‘Kentucky Blue’ homestead plus four-bedroom manager’s residence and four staff cottages, large 56m x 24m all-purpose shed, two large sets of modern cattle yards, two machinery sheds, and a grain/feed bunker.
Click on the following link for more information on this cattle station for sale at Niangala, NSW.
Cattle Stations For Sale: 1304 Magareys Lane, Bray, SA
‘Woodrise’ is a well-developed sheep and cattle property located at Bray in South Australia’s prized Lower Limestone Coast region between Robe, Beachport and Hatherleigh.
Above: This cattle station for sale is a well-developed sheep and cattle property located in SA’s prized Lower Limestone Coast region
The property comprises a total land area of 1,068 hectares (2,639.5 acres) mostly cleared and flat to very gently undulating grazing country. Its carrying capacity has averaged 12 DSE per hectare over a 12-month period or 11,000 DSE total, whilst a portion of the property has been out of production for pasture renovation.
Above: This cattle station for sale has a carrying capacity of 12 DSE per hectare over a 12-month period or 11,000 DSE total
The property boasts an excellent farm lay-out with central laneway, more than 20 kilometres of shelter belts, 30 main paddocks and up to 70 cells providing excellent rotational grazing options and contributing to optimum pasture management and livestock performance.
Above: This cattle station for sale comprises a total land area of 1,068ha mostly cleared and flat to very gently undulating grazing country
Situated in a 632mm average annual rainfall region, ‘Woodrise’ has access to abundant quality underground water for stock and domestic purposes as well as a water licence for the extraction of 282 megalitres for irrigation (currently not in use).
Above: This cattle station for sale has access to abundant quality underground water for stock and domestic purposes
Quality livestock infrastructure includes two-stand shearing shed, well developed Presto Panel cattle yards and sheep yards. There’s also a three-bedroom manager’s residence, modern machinery shed, staff amenities building and other sundry improvements.
Above: This cattle station for sale boasts quality livestock infrastructure including shearing shed, cattle yards and sheep yards
‘Woodrise’ is situated in a premium location 36km south-east of Robe in close proximity to major livestock markets, feedlots and processing facilities, and presents an appealing opportunity for purchasers to acquire a prime south-east sheep and cattle property with increasing productive capacity utilising sustainable farming practices.
Click on the following link for more information on this cattle station for sale at 1304 Magareys Lane, Bray, SA.
Cattle Stations For Sale: Lot 4, Lindsay Road, Staghorn Flat, VIC
This is an extremely rare opportunity to secure highly-productive lifestyle/grazing property in the beautiful and tightly held Yackandandah Valley in Victoria.
Above: This cattle station for sale is a highly-productive lifestyle/grazing property in the beautiful Yackandandah Valley in Victoria
‘Macklans’ comprises 43 hectares (106 acres) of largely cleared flat to undulating land including highly fertile creek flats adjacent to Yackandandah Creek and is currently utilised for pasture production, livestock breeding and livestock grazing.
Above: This cattle station for sale features pastures that have been heavily improved with a mix of ryes, clovers and Phalaris
Pastures have been heavily improved with a mix of ryes, clovers and Phalaris; while excellent stock water is available via two large permanent spring-fed dams. Average rainfall is approximately 700mm (or 28 inches) per annum.
Above: This cattle station for sale boasts excellent stock water available via two large permanent spring-fed dams
All internal and external fencing is stock proof and in excellent condition, with the property divided into two main paddocks. The property boasts a carrying capacity of 50 breeding cows or the equivalent of 100 young steers.
Above: This cattle station for sale includes stock-proof internal and external fencing in excellent condition
Situated halfway between Wodonga and Yackandanda, the property meets the minimum area requirement to establish a dwelling (STCA). Multiple house sites are available to capture magnificent district views.
Click on the following link for more information on this cattle station for sale at Lot 4, Lindsay Road, Staghorn Flat, VIC.
Cattle Stations For Sale: 8 Cunningham Road, Wilga, WA
‘Epping Farm’ is a mixed farming opportunity comprising 490 hectares across five contiguous holdings, which have all undergone extensive land-use change and now benefit from a hybrid farming model which includes livestock grazing (sheep), floriculture and honey production.
Above: This cattle station for sale follows a hybrid farming model which includes livestock grazing, floriculture and honey production
Located in the shire of Boyup Brook, Western Australia, 400 hectares of this property has been developed and planted to local native Leptospermum species - mostly Leptospermum nitens and Leptospermum scoparium, with Leptospermum roei on some parts of the holding.
Above: This cattle station for sale features gently undulating topography and a mixed composition of red, yellow and brown loam soils
The property features gently undulating topography and a mixed composition of red, yellow and brown loam soils on gravel that are predominantly well-drained, and is well suited to grazing, timber production and cropping. Original timbers include Eucalyptus Marginata (jarrah), Corymbia Calophylla (marri) and some Eucalyptus Wandoo (white gum).
Above: This cattle station for sale is suited to grazing, timber production and cropping plus has an approved carbon sequestration project
‘Epping Farm’ also comprises an area of planting which has been carried out as a part of a Clean Energy Regulator (CER) approved carbon sequestration project. The project commenced in 2019 and to date, no audit has been conducted. Currently utilised as a livestock grazing enterprise, the property is largely fenced and watered for sheep production, albeit cattle have previously been grazed on the property.
Above: This cattle station for sale boasts well developed water infrastructure including 25 earth dams and rainwater storage
Water infrastructure is well developed and includes rainwater storage, 25 earth dams, and seven soaks. Rainfall averages 683 per annum. Boundary and internal fencing is in stock-proof condition, comprising plain wire, rabbit netting and some ring lock supported by wooden and steel posts.
Above: This cattle station for sale features stock-proof boundary and internal fencing plus cattle yards
‘Epping Farm’ is located 22 linear kilometres north-west of Boyup Brook, 40 linear kilometres south-east from Donnybrook, 68 linear kilometres south-east of Bunbury and 195 linear kilometres south of Perth within the south-west region of Western Australia.
Click on the following link for more information on this cattle station for sale at 8 Cunningham Road, Wilga, WA.
Cattle Stations For Sale: 1204 Bauple Woolooga Road, Gundiah, QLD
‘Glencobie’ offers an outstanding opportunity to purchase a top-quality, multi-titled, high-capacity grazing and irrigation property along the tightly held Mary River system.
Above: This cattle station for sale is a top-quality, multi-titled, high-capacity, grazing and irrigation property on the Mary River
This rare diamond has just become available boasting almost 300 acres (121.4 hectares) on nine titles and is loaded with everything you will need to farm until your heart is content! The property comfortably runs 150 breeders and progeny with the holding fenced into 17 paddocks plus three large cooler paddocks. Additionally, just over two hectares (five acres) is fully netted fencing for sheep complete with sheep shelter, lamb pen and race facility.
Above: This cattle station for sale boasts over 121ha on nine titles and is loaded with everything you need to farm until your heart is content!
Impeccable yards make for ease of management with undercover cattle yards, race and ramp facilities. Built into the yards are eight separate feedlots all equipped with water troughs. There is also a large chicken run and coop.
Above: This cattle station for sale features impeccable yards including undercover cattle yards, race and ramp facilities
A large hay and machinery shed has the capacity to hold 400 round bales. Approximately 24.28 hectares (60 acres) of cropping paddocks are capable of producing 2,000-plus round bales per year, adding an additional revenue stream to the diverse livestock production systems in place.
Above: This cattle station for sale is capable of producing 2,000-plus round bales per year and shed storage for 400 round bales
The 1.5 kilometres of Mary River access and a 25-megalitre water licence are coupled with nine dams throughout the property, 10,000 gallon tanks for troughs and a 1,500 gallon an hour bore for ultimate water security. Two pump houses with electric irrigation pumps and a 30hp pump on pontoon are coupled with six-inch underground mains to move water where you need it.
Above: This cattle station for sale offers a 25-megalitre water license coupled with nine dams and plenty of storage
The homestead boasts a whopping six bedrooms, including main with ensuite. Three bedrooms are air-conditioned as is the living room. A modern kitchen greets you as you enter from the veranda. The home is serviced by a 5,000-gallon tank and a four-bay garage.
Click on the following link for more information on this cattle station for sale at 1204 Bauple Woolooga Road, Gundiah, QLD.
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