The MacLachlans dismantle a farmland empire greater than the Netherlands
In the largest upheaval to their Jumbuck Pastoral rural
empire in 135 years, the MacLachlans, one of the oldest and most influential
agricultural families in the nation and its third-largest landowners, are
dividing their enormous portfolio of livestock stations.
The brothers "gave it our best crack" and departed the company, which was one of
the largest producers of sheep and beef in the nation, at the end of September,
according to the newsletter.
The two brothers and their father, Hugh MacLachlan, now share Jumbuck's 5.2 million hectare
empire, which consists of 12 stations larger than the Netherlands and valued at
hundreds of millions of dollars, as a result of their departure.Jock MacLachlan
will oversee the 505,857-hectare Derby Station in Western Australia and the
58,680-hectare McCoys Well station in South Australia. His brother Callum, on
the other hand, will be in charge of the 1.2 million-hectare Wave Hill Station
in the Northern Territory and another property, the 541,400-hectare Killarney
Station.
In 2021, Wave Hill Station was acquired by Jumbuck for $104 million, in collaboration with the
affluent Wilson family.
Their father Hugh,the chairman of Jumbuck Pastoral, and their sisters Airlie MacLachlan, Islay
McKenzie, and Brooke Yates will keep the family's remaining holdings, which
include Blina Station in WA, Bulgunnia Station and Commonwealth Hill in SA, and
Gunbar Station in NSW.
Jumbuck's 1 million hectare Rawlinna Station in Western Australia, the largest sheep ranch in the nation, was purchased by Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group in April.
Hugh MacLachlan stated, "Unfortunately, as a result of family succession planning, my sons
Jock and Callum will be leaving the Jumbuck family in September."
They have distinguished themselves throughout their lengthy tenure as joint managing
directors for Jumbuck. The only thing that brought Jumbuck's interests into the
Victoria River region of the Northern Territory was their initiative and
financial know-how.
An ASX-listed Australian Agricultural Company and Crown Point Pastoral Company, owned by
graziers Donny and Colleen Costello and their partner, former horse-racing
trainer Viv Oldfield, were the country's two largest landowners prior to
Jumbuck Pastoral dividing up their empire.
After purchasing Mount Doreen Station in the Northern Territory for over $70 million in
September of last year, Crown Point expanded its enormous cattle station empire
to more than 9.2 million hectares.
ACO has cattle stations covering 6.6 million hectares.
Hancock, Before she started to reduce her holdings by selling more than $500 million worth of
cattle stations to concentrate on higher-end Wagyu beef production, prospective
billionaire Gina Rinehart held the largest landownership in the country.