Fertile soils and reliable rainfall lured the first European settlers to Greater Hamilton’s rich volcanic plains in the 1830s, laying the foundation for a highly productive wool and pastoral industry. Their pioneering spirit lives on. Today, high commodity prices, the early adoption of exciting new technology and the innovations of the Greater Hamilton farming community continue to drive growth in both productivity and diversity.

Greater Hamilton has one of the densest populations of broad-acre livestock farming per hectare in the world, and has also positioned itself as one of the most rapidly-expanding grain growing areas in Australia. The wider region is also poised to become the flax capital of Australia due to optimum growing conditions including a cool, temperate climate over the spring-summer period.

More intensive land uses continue to enhance the region’s economy and improve job prospects. For new and existing producers, vertical integration is the industry buzzword, with a growing number overseeing the complete paddock-to-plate process. The potential for new industry is also high, with the widespread availability of development-ready industrial land linked to 3-phase power, high pressure gas and a mains water pipeline.

“The value of our land is determined essentially by the rainfall that falls on it and the quality of the soil. The Greater Hamilton region has one of the most reliable environments in Australia, so people want to buy land in this area for its reliability.”  – RICHARD BEGGS, NAREEB NAREEB

• Total product of over $220 million per annum traded in export and domestic markets;
• Top industries: sheep (wool & meat), cattle (feedlot, pasture fed, boutique); grain (wheat, canola, flax, oats, barley, triticale, faba beans, field peas); fodder production (hay, silage).
• Over 1 million lambs and 2.3 million sheep (one of the densest populations of broad acre sheep farming per hectare in the world).
• 120,000 head of beef cattle
• Net operating profit of around $210/ha (compared to $121 for the State); and
• Significant increase in returns on prime lamb and a shift towards grain production (31,000 hectares of grain as per 2011 census, and 12,000ha of oil seed.
• Agriculture employs approximately 15% of the population.

 HAMILTON LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

The Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange boasts Victoria’s third largest turnover – trading around 60,000 cattle and 1 million sheep each year. The venue attracts vendors from across Victoria as well as New South Wales and Queensland.

Facilities –

• 24-hour coin and AVDATA operated truck wash
• Access to water and holding
• Live weight scales with post-sale weighing of cattle
• Air-conditioned canteen offering sit-down meals and refreshments on sale day
• Amenities block with showers
• Modern cattle yards, including some undercover
• A mixture of saw dust and chips as soft flooring in cattle selling pens to avoid foot soreness in cattle.