December 1, 2025
Expressions of interest are being sought from potential purchasers for the key Smithfield Feedlot, near Proston.
The well-known South Burnett business is being marketed via real estate specialists LAWD.
The feedlot covers about 2140ha and can house 18,500 head of cattle in 175 large, shaded pens.
The marketing material emphasises that Smithfield has a high-priority water licence from the Tarong pipeline from Boondooma Dam plus access to water from Stuart River.
The business also includes irrigated paddocks, grain silos, grain milling equipment, a weighbridge, coolrooms, a workshop, staff amenities and manager’s house.
The feedlot is owned by the Smithfield Cattle Company, a family-run agribusiness which can trace its history back to Alf Smith opening a butcher’s shop in the South Burnett in 1928.
Alf bought a property, ‘Teignmouth’, near Proston in 1954.
Alf’s son Robert began operating a feedlot on the property, now known as ‘Smithfield’, in July 1986.
The Smithfield Cattle Company also owns the 6000-head ‘Sapphire’ feedlot near Yelarbon in western Queensland which it bought in 2016. ‘Sapphire’ is now carrying 28,750 head but has a licensed capacity of 48,560.
Robert’s sons Jason and Andrew Shearer-Smith, and daughter Barb Madden and her husband Don, all hold senior positions in the Smithfield Cattle Company.
Expressions of interest in regards to purchasing the Smithfield Feedlot close at 5:00pm on Monday, December 22.
- External link: LAWD website
