Prized sheep breeding operation near Heywood sold to local family

The New Zealand Romney stud breeders offered its Wairere Romney Stud's farm aggregation across 1151 hectares (2844 acres) at Heywood, just north of Portland.

The Daniell family has been a market leader in Romney sheep since launching its first Victorian operation (268ha) in 2015.

Although a sale price has not been offered, it is understand well-known sheep breeders the Crawford family have bought the aggregation.

Wairere has also been running a big commercial prime lamb flock and a cattle trading operation which trades up to 600 head a year..

The aggregation was offered as a large "turn key" operation with abundant natural water.

Nutrien Harcourts is offering the aggregation for sale as a whole or with the two noncontingent lots.

No suggested price range was offered but agents say more than $1.5 million has been invested in on-farm infrastructure over the past five years.

The aggregation comprises Wairere 268ha (662 acres), Ettrick 388ha (956 acres) and Ettrick Moor 495ha (1223 acres).

Wairere hosts a four-stand woolshed with covered sheep handling facilities plus steel and timber circular sheep yards.

It has a central laneway to 32 paddocks each with reticulated water.

Ettrick also has a four-stand woolshed with undercover, bugle, sheep handling facilities.

It has 37 paddocks with reticulated water supply to each paddock, sourced from the spring fed Darlot stream.

Ettrick also has a three-bedroom home with a two-bedroom sleepout.

Ettrick Moor has steel circular design cattle yards, all weather B-double truck access and 10 paddocks.

There is reticulated water supply to the cultivable paddocks and natural water in "stone" country.

Its boundary is formed from newly erected "kangaroo" fencing and is said to be "perfect country" for cattle wintering.

The aggregation is located about 10km east of Heywood.

Agents say the Wairere amalgamation offers buyers the opportunity to purchase a large scale intensive livestock operation in a high rainfall, reliable region of Victoria.

"Wairere comprises three interlinking properties, each with their own unique features and characteristics which combined together form a well balanced large scale operation."

In intensive pasture renewal program has been undertaken over the past five years.

All paddocks go through a summer cropping program before being sown down to perennial rye and clover mixes. About 90 per cent of the cultivable country is now renovated.

The property has a range of soil types ranging from red clay loams, clay loams and stone barrier country.

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