“Soldiers Plain”
Theodore QLD
For Private Sale
Price Reduced to $3.1 million
Overview
“Soldiers Plain” is one of the better known buffel and dry land farming properties on the Glenmoral Roundstone Road, west of Theodore. The property is fully developed to cattle fattening and grain production.
Nearly all of “Soldiers Plain” has been farmed at one time or another. It is fully contoured and currently under heavy buffel, Leucaena , Dolichos Lablab, with 980 acres set aside for winter and summer cropping. The property is located at the head of the catchment with three water courses. There are 3 major dams of comprising 2 x 60,000 and 1 x 30,000 cubic yards, and 4 other good size dams.
Special features include:
- 980 acres of existing cultivation currently planted to rain sorghum
- A modern 4 bedroom air conditioned brick homestead
- 775 tonnes of “on-farm” silo storage
- 370 acres of regrowth Dolichos from last season
- 620 acres of new season Dolichos Lablab planted September 2011
- 420 acres of Leaceana with Dolichos planted between the rows
- Balance of the property mostly heavy buffel.
“Soldiers Plain” has been in the McClelland Family for 3 generations. It was originally developed in the early 80's by the late Bruce McClelland and his wife Sharyn who originally came from Victoria. The first crop was taken off in 1984. “Soldiers Plain” is currently operated by their sons Craig and Grant.
The property has successfully grown a broad variety of crops including wheat, sorghum, barley, cotton, chickpea and oats. There are currently very heavy stands of Dolichos Lablab and Leucaena for immediate cash flow to a purchaser.
In 27 years of farming on Soldiers Plain a wheat crop has been planted and harvested every year with their exception of one year in the early 90’s when 76 ha failed due to dry conditions.
Cattle and cropping highlights on “Soldiers Plain” include:
- A big 2,772 tonne crop of prime hard wheat that was harvested in 2005 off 660 ha and averaging 4.2 tonnes per ha.
- In the same year 1,500 tonnes of sorghum was harvested off 500 ha giving an average yield of 3 tonnes / ha and 237 tonnes of Chickpeas taken off 76 ha averaging 3.11 tonnes / ha.
- 150 tonnes of Dolichos Lablab seed was harvested off 100 ha returning $720/acre last season.
This is an opportunity to purchase “top” country in the Theodore District. This property can be turned over entirely to cattle fattening or predominately grain.
Location
Situated 35 km from Theodore on the Glenmoral Roundstone Road. 60km from Moura, approximately 250 km from Gracemere Saleyard and 262 km from Rockhampton.
Area & Tenure
3,867 acres (1,565 ha) in one Freehold Title described as Lot 3 on Crown Plan BH 285, Parish of Quakit.
Rates
Banana Shire Council Rates: $4,968 per half year with the discount.
Country
- An excellent balance of Brigalow, Softwood Bottle Tree and Vine Scrub soils with some Crows Ash in parts.
- All fully improved and fully contoured.
- Up to 3,200 acres of the whole property has been previously farmed at one time or another.
- 620 acres of new season Dolichos lablab planted September 2011.
- 370 acres of regrowth dolichos (planted late 2010).
- 450 acres Leucaena with Dolichos planted between the rows.
- Over 400 acres of pure heavy buffel.
- Balance is buffel and good quality native pastures.
Cultivation
980 acres of cultivation currently planted to spring sorghum.
Current Operation
The current management regime would support 980 acres under full grain production with 600 to 800 steers to fatten.
Improvements
Homestead
Modern brick veneer homestead set in attractive well established lawns and gardens. The residence comprises 4 bedrooms with a formal lounge and dining area off the kitchen. There is a built in wall oven, electric “bench top” hot plates and breakfast bench.
The homestead features:
- Evaporative air-conditioning throughout
- Ceiling fans throughout
- Both carpet and vinyl throughout
- Adjacent fully concreted butcher shop and storage area with a walk-in cold room
- Open Verandahs to the east and west overlooking the property
The homestead also features a large modern well equipped office featuring:
- Built-in desking around 2 sides with up to 3 work stations
- Built in storage cupboards with draws
Car Port
- 2 bay car port with room for 4 vehicles
- Additional closed in bay with concrete floor and a walk-in cold room
- Power and lights connected
Machinery Shed
20m x 10m x 7 bay steel machinery shed.
- 5.5m x 12m skillion roof at rear for storage.
- Workshop area fully concreted throughout.
- Power connected.
- Lock-up storeroom.
- Power and one high bay light connected.
- 2 x fixed work benches included.
Shed Complex Water Supply
- 1 x 5,000 gallon concrete rain water tank (gravity feeds back to homestead
- 1 x 5,000 gallon concrete water tank for dam water (connected to pressure pump for shed and homestead
- 2 x 5,000 gallon black poly water tanks for dam water (connected to pressure pump for shed and homestead)
Grain Storage
Total combined silo storage of 775 tonnes comprising:
- 3 x 110 tonne “Sherwell” silos
- 1 x 110 tonne “Webster” silos
- 5 x 50 tonne “Sherwell” silos
- 1 x 75 tonne “Sherwell” silo
- 1 x 10 tonne “Webster” seed silo
Note
- Some of the silos have aerators and gas burners fitted
- All silos are on conical bases
Fuel Storage
- 1 x 20,000 litre steel on-ground diesel tank equipped with 4 stroke petrel delivery pump
- 2,100 litre unleaded overhand tank
Stock Water & Paddocks
“Solders Plain” has outstanding stock water facilities throughout. There are a total of 12 paddocks with 7 very good dams. Fencing is in very good order with an extensive laneway system servicing several paddocks. Of special note are 3 very large dams comprising 2 x 60,000 and 1 x 30,000 cubic yards in size. Two of these dams were only built in 2008.
The paddocks and water facilities include:
Homestead Back Paddock
- 550 acres
- House dam fenced off; supplies homestead, gardens and shed complex.
- New dam located in this paddock with walk-in access for stock.
- Windmill, tank and trough from Windmill dam.
Comments
Planted to 450 acres Dolichos lablab September 2011.
Homestead Front Paddock
Waters include Windmill dam with walk in access for stock.
Comments
Planted back to heavy buffel.
Road Paddock
- Approximately 330 acres.
- All contoured.
- Access to main laneway system to yards.
Comments
Planted to spring sorghum October 2011.
Black Soil Paddock
- Access to Duncan's Dam and Cattle Yards Dam
Comments
650 acres all planted to sorghum October 2011.
Note
This crop will be harvested prior to settlement and is not included in the sale.
Ridge Paddock
- 80 to 90 acres (approximate)
- Waters on cattle yards dam
- Steel tank and trough at old drafting yards; water comes from cattle yards dam
- Spear trap back on Cattle yards dam.
- Access to main laneway system to yards
Cattle Yards Paddock
- Approximately 200 acres
- Water at Cattle Yards Dam.
- Access to main laneway system to yards.
Comments
Cattle Yards Dam is, in most seasons, the only water in the paddock and is equipped with a spear trap into a holding square off the lane for ease of mustering.- Planted to Leucaena
- Dolichos lablab planted between rows in September 2011
Flat Paddock
- Approximately 220 acres.
- Fully contoured.
- All cultivated and stick picked.
Comments
Planted to Dolichos Lablab 2010.
Dolichos Paddock
- Approximately 170 acres.
- All cultivated and fully contoured.
- Waters on Dunbar’s dam with access via Dunbar’s paddock.
Comments
Planted to Dolichos Lablab September 2011
Dunbar's Paddock
278 acres- All cultivated except for patch of Brigalow in centre.
- 250 acres have been previously cultivated.
- Walk-in access for stock at Dunbar’s Dam (approximately 60,0000 cubic yards)
- Fully contoured.
Outstanding buffel across whole paddock
Dunbar's Dam Gully Paddock
Water for stock available back on Dunbar's dam.
Comments
Good stands of buffel.
Leucaena Paddock
- Smoothy's Dam approximately 60,000 cubic yards.
- All previously contoured and farmed.
- GPS tower is included in the sale and fenced off from stock. Base station not included.
Comments
Dam is on an extremely good catchment.- 220 acres Leucaena & Dolichos lablab
Red Soil Paddock
- 150 acres contoured and farmed.
- Access to Smoothy’s Dam approximately 60,000 cubic yards and Duncan’s Dam.
- Contoured and previously farmed.
- Access to main laneway system to cattle yards.
Comments
Planted to Dolichos Lablab for both seed and pasture in 2010.
Drafting Yard
Relatively new steel drafting yards built in 2005. The yard is located at the centre of property with the majority of the paddocks connected to an extensive heavy duty laneway system servicing the yard.
An outstanding facility in every respect and comprises:
- Full steel race with new “CIA” vet crush and steel loading ramp
- Calf race and “Morrissey” branding cradle
- Five way drafting pound
Comments
- The yard has a comfortable drafting capacity of 400 to 500 head
- There is also an adjacent holding paddock
Rainfall
Annual average rainfall of 28 inches.
Services
Major commercial centre in Rockhampton. The town features all the major banks, several large shopping complexes, numerous dealerships and small businesses. Daily air services to Brisbane. Numerous private schools and CQ University.- Primary school bus “pick up” at the front gate to both Theodore Primary school and High School to grade 10
- Telephone, fax, wireless internet connections and good TV reception
- Rural power
- Three major abattoirs in this area being Teys Brothers in Biloela, and AMH and Teys Brothers in Rockhampton
- Major sale yards throughout the area include Gracemere (Rockhampton) 250 km away, Moura (approx 56 km), Biloela, Springsure and Emerald
- Twice weekly mail deliveries
- Strong Mobile Phone coverage
Remarks
- Renowned dry land farming, scrub buffel and crop fattening property with absolutely first class improvements
- All the hard work is done
- Highly suited to crop fattening, backgrounding, intensive grain production, or a stud operation
- Excellent waters and stock facilities throughout
Every square inch of this property is productive
Exclusions
- The second residence is excluded from the sale and will be removed off the property prior to settlement
- The GPS base station for faming operations
- All growing grain sorghum crops
- All stock and plant on the property except those items of plant as described as fixtures in other parts of this information memorandum
Inclusions
- The GPS tower is included in the sale and fenced off from stock
