Great Southern farm sells for $7.5m

A 227-hectare farm in Kalgan, 19 kilometres north-west of Albany, has sold for $7.55 million to cattle farmers Wayne and Mandy Tapscott.

Candyup Hill Farm, previously owned by the Armstrong family, has sold for $38,325 per effective hectare to the Tapscotts, who are already running an Angus breeding operation on the property.

LAWD director Simon Wilkinson, who brokered the deal, said the asset was in a reliable rainfall catchment in close proximity to Albany’s town centre.

"Candyup provides a significant livestock opportunity and is both highly-productive and picturesque; ideal for the Tapscotts as they expand their cattle enterprise in the region,” he said.

“The range of soil types across the property are described as being duplex deep sandy gravels, duplex clay loam with some shallow gravels, while the permanent creek running through the property adds to the beautiful views of the property, and is predominantly covered with Marri and Jarrah trees.”

Mr Tapscott said water security was a key factor in the decision to purchase the landholding.

“The favourable winter dominant rainfall conditions and access to water made Candyup Hill Farm highly desirable as we expand our Angus cattle operation,” he said.

“The river running through the property will provide year-round water, while it also benefits from an average annual rainfall of 924 millimetres, removing the likelihood of needing to feed cattle.

“The location and ease of access to schools and town amenities, and our existing home, was also an enormous attraction.”

The Tapscotts plan to develop the property further by adding two new sheds and upgrading the cattle yards.

"We are keen to increase the number of Angus cows to up to 170 to 180 head, and to continue to focus on breeding," Mr Tapscott said.

The Great Southern accounts for 13 per cent of the state’s overall agriculture output, with cropping, livestock and wool, with horticulture and viticulture also important contributors to the sector.