GREG and Liz Cover’s prized Meandarra property Erinvale has sold at an Elders auction in Goondiwindi for $4.9 million.
The buyers were farmers Brett and Carol Wilson, who will add the property to their local portfolio.
Marketing agent Clayton Smith said 14 parties had inspected the property. The losing bidder was a NSW cattle producer, looking to expand his operation, he said.
The sale price is equal to about $2548/ha ($1031/acre).
The Covers will now look to transition into retirement closer to the Sunshine Coast.
Located on the Western Downs 50km south of Meandarra, the 1923 hectare (4751 acre) property has been developed for both farming and grazing.
The topography is generally gently undulating with soil types ranging from heavy grey brown self-mulching to red alluvials.
The original timber consists belah, brigalow on the heavy scrub farming country running to some box influence on the designated grazing areas.
The arable country is suited to both summer and winter cropping. There is 627ha ready for winter crop. About 260ha of this is coming off chickpeas. A further 360 acres has been farmed in the past.
The current winter cultivation area is said to have a full moisture profile.
Water is supplied by the permanent creek holes with back up from surface dams. Water is reticulated to storage tanks across parts of the property.
Improvements include a well maintained, low set three bedroom weatherboard homestead set in established gardens.
There is also a three bedroom donga for visitors or contractors and numerous sheds for machinery, all with power. Erinvale also has an unused shearing shed.
The are steel cattle yards with a 500-plus head capacity. The yards feature an RPM crush, weigh box with Ruddweigh scales, Morrissey calf crush, and covered working areas.
Grain storage comprises of four 100 tonne Webster elevated silos.