The Torrumbarry Farms Aggregation has changed owners following a landmark deal. Photo: Supplied.
The Torrumbarry Farms Aggregation, just outside Echuca, recently sold for over $50 million to Queensland-based farming family enterprise McLean Farms.
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McLean Farms has been involved in cattle and grain operations in Queensland since the 1950s but is better known as one of Australia’s leading egg producers.
While the company has always supplied eggs to various parts of Australia, it expanded operations to Victoria in July last year with the purchase of a farm in Bendigo.
It now plans to use the 4031 hectare Torrumbarry Farms Aggregation to increase grain production to support its cage-free barn farm in Bendigo.
McLean Farms chief executive Andy Crocker said the Torrumbarry Farms was an attractive prospect for the company due to its existing structure.
“We were looking for land in Victoria specifically. We wanted the grain support for our chickens, and so we started looking in various areas, and we liked this area specifically,” he said.
“The aggregation from the (Australian Fresh Milk Holdings) group was well-structured.
“They put together a very good aggregation with good water rights, good entitlements, good infrastructure and so when we started seeing that as a whole piece, it was a good suitable aggregation for the McLean family.”
The Torrumbarry Farms Aggregation is adjacent to the Murray River and Gunbower Creek.
The property’s strategic location also offers easy access to Echuca, Deniliquin, Shepparton and Melbourne, and its access to internal roads and multiple Murray Valley Hwy access points can support efficient vehicle and machinery movement.
The Torrumbarry Farms Aggregation comes well-equipped. Photo: Supplied.
Of its 4031 hectares, 1820 have already been developed for irrigation purposes, while the remaining land can support dryland cropping, livestock grazing, remnant vegetation and operational land.
The property is also well-equipped with advanced irrigation systems, 780 tonnes of grain silo storage, multiple rural sheds, dedicated fertiliser storage facilities and nine residential dwellings.
As it was previously used for cropping and dairy heifer support, its potential for future horticulture, viticulture and high-value cropping development was highlighted to investors before its sale.
The acquisition was taken care of by Melbourne-based real estate company LAWD.
LAWD senior director Danny Thomas said the property attracted attention from many potential buyers.
“The sale attracted a lot of interest as buyers are looking for productive assets that provide water security for ongoing production during times of drought,” he said.
“The original Torrumbarry property was owned by the Baillieu family for approximately 60 years. It’s rare to see large-scale properties retained in family ownership in a market awash with foreign capital.
“It’s always rewarding to see a significant property like this transition from one family to another, continuing the legacy of hard work and land stewardship.”
After a six-month acquisition process, McLean Farms sealed the deal and began operations at the Torrumbarry Farms on Tuesday, July 1.
Mr Crocker said the company was looking forward to building its presence in the region.
“We’ve got crop in the ground, and we’re very excited about being present as broad acre farmers and irrigation farmers in the area,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to being involved in Echuca. It’s a great town, and we’re just getting to know it now.”
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