Shippen family buys famous Boonoke and Wanganella sheep farms
The reported price is $300 million for six properties from a portfolio of 123,000 hectares.
The Shippen family's Banyandah Pastoral has finalised the purchase of some of Australia's most prized sheep stations. Boonoke and Wanganella, large farms in NSW's Riverina, were among those listed for sale in 2023.
The listings followed the death of stockbroker Colin Bell. The deal is reported to have cost $300 million for six properties.
The six properties came from the Australian Food & Agriculture (AFA) portfolio of 123,000 hectares. AFA chairman Alastair Provan said selling AFA was a difficult decision.
A 2024 bid by a new US company to buy AFA's holdings for A$780 million ultimately failed. The Shippens have secured the ongoing support of the existing AFA stud team.
- $300 million
- Sale price
- 123,000 hectares
- Portfolio size
- Banyandah Pastoral
- Buyer
- A$780 million
- Failed 2024 bid
Why it mattersA sale this size changes who controls famous breeding land, though the existing stud team stays on.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, as this is a sale of farms, not a change in rules. Only a new land or wool rule would change that.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
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