Article by Mark Phelps, courtesy of The Armidale Express
19.07.2025
Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture has secured the standout 5003 hectare New England NSW property Wirribilla.
While no sale price has been revealed, the exceptionally well-developed, large-scale property with an estimated carrying capacity of 73,000 dry sheep equivalents had been on the market through LAWD with price expectations of more than $70 million.
Wirribilla was purchased by the Swire Group’s Clyde Agriculture in 2004.
The British-based company Hancock Agriculture subsequently sold its agriculture assets, with Wirribilla being purchased independently by UK businessman Sam Swire in 2013.
The property is expected to operate under the S Kidman and Co banner.
Hancock Agriculture owns 67 per cent of Kidman through Australian Outback Beef, with the balance held by Cred Pastoral.
The property currently runs both a self-replacing Primeline composite sheep flock producing prime lambs, and an Angus herd turning off finished to heavyweight feeders.
Trade cattle are purchased to grow out on excess feed.
Wirribilla features perennial grass and clover pas-tures, backed by an annual average rainfall of 900mm.
Wirribilla has a laneway system that links the livestock hubs across the property, with other infrastructure including a chalet-style homestead and staff accommobation
