IT’s a rare event. The further the west you travel the greener it gets. Rockhampton-based Herron Todd White valuer Michael Chaplain said on a recent run out to the Channel Country in far western Queensland this was precisely the case.
The challenge now for landholders throughout the region was finding and affording stock to take advantage of the phenomenal circumstances, he said.
“Many of the holdings are currently stocked at well below half of their long term average and probably closer to 25 per cent of their current capacity,” Mr Chaplain said.
“The challenge for most of these areas now is they are severely understocked relative to the amount of highly nutritious feed available. Stock on the ground are now spread far and wide living in mobs of three or four head in their own little patch of paradise, picking through the smorgasbord of herbage and grasses on offer.
“At least these low numbers will give the land and pastures a well earned rest and a chance to regenerate.”
Mr Chaplain said given condition of the country it was not surprising that the more southerly located Nappa Merrie Station has sold prior to auction.
Values across Central Queensland had also continued to strengthen in recent months, he said. Notable recent sales include:
• Tyagarah and Rolfe Park North aggregation just north of Middlemount which sold with stock for $17.5 million.
• Lynorah Downs, a highly regarded irrigation property, at Rolleston sold for a reported $25 million.
• Dalga Station south of Calliope which also sold with cattle for an undisclosed figure.
“There has also been a string of sales in the central western region from Tambo through to Winton with a total of eight transactions taking place since the start of September,” Mr Chaplain said.
“Rates shown by these sales indicate that this western market has been keeping pace with the number of offerings and values appear to be holding at similar strong levels to those seen earlier this year.
“Current price points appear to be in the order of $110 to $160/hectare for better quality Mitchell grass downs and developed Gidgee scrub country, showing analysed beast area value rates of about $2500 to $3000/adult equivalent.”
Mr Chaplain said the record breaking unseasonal rainfall throughout the winter months had for the most part put an end to what was widely considered the worst drought in the past century.
“As we tracked westwards the view from about 8500 feet turned from a somewhat typical greyish, brown colour around Rockhampton continuing out to the Dawson Valley,” Mr Chaplain said.
“Across the Central Highlands a tinge of green strengthened as we past over Springsure. But by the time we commenced our descent leading into Blackall for fuel, the scenery was a lush green. This delightful green scenery continued for the next 320km, only to turn a deeper shade of green nearing Windorah as we passed over the Cooper Channels.”
Mr Chaplain said the abundance of feed on the ground was extraordinary, making it difficult to imagine that only 12 months prior some of these areas were struggling to keep even the most resilient native animals alive, let alone carry livestock.