The sale follows Genetics Australia’s purchase of Total Livestock Genetics and its decision to relocate its bull management, semen management and semen collection and production services from Bacchus Marsh to the TLG site near Camperdown.
Genetics Australia chief executive officer Anthony Shelly said the sale of the property known locally as the “bull farm” was part of GA’s acquisition of TLG and long-term plans for consolidation in south-west Victoria.
“We’re very happy with the sale as it allows our plans to continue as the money will be used to invest in TLG,” Mr Shelly said.
Genetics Australia will continue to have a presence on the Bacchus Marsh site.
“The other positive is that we have been offered at least a two-year lease to retain access to the office complex,” Mr Shelly said.
In 2014, Boratto Farms acquired 60 ha of river flats that were part of the original Parwan Park farm, and in 2017 GA sold Parwan Park South.
“This was Genetics Australia’s last landholding in the Bacchus Marsh area,” Mr Shelly said.
“Since the land was acquired more than 60 years ago, it has been the cornerstone of the Australian artificial breeding industry so it is a significant move. However, we’re doing it with a really strong plan about how we want to go forward based around the TLG acquisition.”
The changes are already reaping rewards.
“Each month since the acquisition in January we have been building our semen production volumes, and June was another record month,” Mr Shelly said.
There are now more than 250 bulls on licensed semen production at the Camperdown and Glenormiston facilities, the largest number ever in Australia, including third party bulls managed for other customers.
“The increase reflects the volume of bulls and demand for Australian beef and dairy genetics,” Mr Shelly said.
“Both dairy and beef markets are very strong, with continuing high demand for sexed semen.”
Settlement on the Bacchus Marsh property at 144 Woolpack Rd is due in September.
Boratto Farms plan to develop as much of the arable land as possible and continue to expand their vegetable growing operation.
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