The Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) has just announced they are selling another cattle station, Brighton Downs. Brighton Downs is situated on the Diamantina River, southwest of Winton (western Queensland). It will be auctioned in Brisbane by Elders on 8 December. It was bought by the AACo in 1950.
The AACo says it expanded carrying capacity by entering into long term agistment in the Northern Territory and near South Galway (on the Cooper SW of Windorah, southwest Queensland). Presumably it may also be increasing grainfed turnoff rather than grassfed, or at least putting the company in a position of more flexibility.
Given that these days the most reliable profit made in Australian pastoral industries is in capital appreciation of the land, not net production profit, I can’t help but think it sounds very much like the financial equivalent selling a good quality house in favour of paying rent.
One has to wonder why the AACo is selling good quality, strategically placed properties that have been owned for decades. Rockhampton Downs last year, Brighton Downs this year.
Brighton Downs managers Bruce and Meldie Wreford have worked for the AACo for around 2 decades, in the NT, WA & Qld.
Tags: Pastoral companies, Rural properties for sale and ownership