A sea of narow leafed, lupins that stretched as far and as wide as the eye could take in.
A pivotal moment in the history not just of this magnificent West Australian farming property, but also in Australian agriculture.
Erregulla Plains was the location, it was in the 1960s, and the work was that of Sir Eric Smart. His innovative technique of soil conditioning became the subject of the book, The Smart Men of Farming.
To look at the 22,177ha property as it stands today, is to look at a testament to the man, and his family.
Travel north of Perth for 383klms and Mingenew, the largest grain facilitator in the Southern Hemisphere, can be found, with one border of the town shared with Erregulla Plains.
There is no more strategic place for such an outstanding agricultural concern. |
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It was 1949 when Sir Eric and his wife Lady Jean, began their life long love affair with this land, with their initial purchase of 10,000ha.
The hardest part was working out how to tame the sandy soil itself, and it was here that the inventive and ute brilliant Sir Eric changed the face of the property.
He introduced superphosphate and sowed hundreds of acres of sand plain lupins – which transformed the depleted nitrogen levels in the land. The results were miraculous.
Word spread rapidly of his brilliant workings and his field days, set in verdant paddocks, were a hot ticket for farmers from far and wide. |
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By 1960 he was largest grain producer in the Southern Hemisphere, and name to be reckoned with in wool production.
The property has grown exponentially, guided and enhanced by the following generations of Smart offspring, which saw yield increase further with each innovation including early adoption of mouldboard ploughing.
The property is now shared between 21 titles, and while they can be split this sale is designed for the conjoined lots to sell as one.
Farm infrastructure is geared toward cropping, though the land is also fit for wool and lambs.
There are 13 immaculate farm buildings, from workshops to chemical sheds, and three homes on the property. |
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| The main homestead 435sqm, and has been fully upgraded over ten years and features four bedrooms, three offices, a guest wing with two more bedrooms and lots of interior space. |
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| The Smart Family on Erregulla Plains today |
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The decision to leave the land has not been an easy one, but Cherie and Stuart Smart, and their adult children Elizabeth and Samuel have decided to venture into different fields.
Erregulla Plains is to be sold through Expressions of Interest, through Steve Vaughan at Ray White Rural WA, and will close on 10 October, 2019.
Hi res images can be found in a folder here
Full listing can be found here
Contact:
Ray White Rural WA
Steve Vaughan
0428 120 407
Ray White Media
Prue Miller
0402 102 887
media@raywhite.com |
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