Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) has been appointed by CC Cooper and Co to undertake the divestment of Madura Plains.
The station will be offered on a “walk in walk out” basis (including all livestock, plant and equipment) by way of a staged expression of interest process commencing in October.
About Madura Plains
Madura Plains is an aggregation of two pastoral leases (Madura and Moonera) with a combined area of 711,638 hectares (1,758,496 acres) and a carrying capacity in excess of 60,000 sheep.
Located near the border of Western Australia and South Australia, Madura Plains is strategically positioned to participate in both the western and eastern sheep and wool markets.
The Madura lease was taken up in 1876 by G. Heinzmann to establish a station for breeding cavalry horses designed for the British Imperial Indian Army. It was selected due to the reliable underground bore water and an abundance of available feed. It also played an important role during WWII when the station’s bore was crucial to army engineers constructing the Eyre Highway.
Madura and Moonera were merged operationally by Jumbuck Pastoral Company in the 1980s, creating one of Australia’s most significant sheep grazing enterprises, and one of the world’s largest sheep stations. Jumbuck Pastoral developed the enterprise with the addition of fences, windmills, bores and all the accompanying water infrastructure. A 550-kilometre vermin proof boundary fence was also erected.
CC Cooper & Co purchased the property in 2016 and has painstakingly developed the property further through a significant capital works program aimed at maximising the efficiency and productivity of the asset. Central to this has been a water infrastructure revitalisation program which has seen 1,400km of interconnected pipelines installed, delivering reliable good quality water across the vast property, unlocking its full production potential. The water delivery system is best in class, including solar powered pumping systems at all critical points in the water system, and remote monitoring via smartphone and Starlink-enabled connectivity, enabling management and monitoring of pumps and tanks from anywhere.
There has been over 1,000km of fencing installed, subdividing very large paddocks to create 118 paddocks and 376km of internal laneways. This optimises grazing management and rotation, as well as reducing grazing pressure around water points.
Significant investments have also been made in animal handling infrastructure. A 10,000 head feedlot and holding yards have been established in a central location and there are modern yards located strategically throughout. Technology has been extensively adopted. Every ewe is tagged with electronic identification (eID), enabling detailed individual records and auto drafter functionality that can draft animals by paddock, performance, age, sex or shearing. Starlink internet is supported at key infrastructure points across more than 118 paddocks, including bore sites to provide remote monitoring, coordination and communication.
A significant flock of 60,000 sheep is included (Canowie Poll Merino genetics) together with 3,500 Boer X goats, plus kids.
Quotes
David ‘Seth’ Cooper (Managing Director, CC Cooper and Co):
“We acquired Madura Plains with the clear strategic intent to build a best in class modern sheep station that fully capitalises on the production potential of the vast landholding and stock water supply, whilst being resilient through the cycles. We have also invested to deliver operational efficiencies and maximise animal welfare and sustainability outcomes. We are proud that we have achieved our vision and it’s now the right time for us to deliver the finished product to a new custodian”.
Greg Smith (Elders WA Pastoral Real Estate Specialist):
“Madura Plains certainly represents a new benchmark in the region and it’s extremely unlikely that an asset of this scale and quality will be available for purchase again in the near future. The station really has been turbo charged, with a combined production at its peak exceeding 70,000 sheep in 2024. The provision of reliable low salinity water to every paddock has unlocked the full productivity potential of the expansive saltbush and Bluebush plains.”
“Given the strategic advantages and efficiencies that can be achieved by operating an enterprise of this quality and at this scale, we anticipate receiving offers from both large private and corporate investors within Australia and internationally.”
Tom Russo, Divisional CEO - Elders Real Estate
“The development of Madura Plains is truly extraordinary and has unlocked the enormous production capacity of the asset. It now represents a turn-key opportunity for an astute investor to reap the benefits of a capital works program that is delivering productivity that is beyond compare and efficiencies that will significantly enhance the realisable margins in the business.”
“This represents a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional business during a period of unprecedented growth in demand for quality Australian fibre and protein. Investing now to participate in the supply response is a very exciting opportunity indeed.”