Property profile: Lynora Downs

{{table}}

Lynora Downs was acquired by the Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) in November 2016. The property is located approximately 20 kms south of Rolleston and approximately 45 kms north-east of an RFF cattle property, Rewan.

Lynora Downs was the first cropping property added to the RFF portfolio in central Queensland and is one of three dedicated cropping properties located within a 50 km radius.

Cotton is the main crop produced at Lynora Downs, however other rotation crops including wheat, chickpeas, sorghum and mungbeans are also grown.

Developments

Since acquisition, Rural Funds Management (RFM) has developed infrastructure to harvest and store water on the property in order to increase the irrigable area and make better use of existing water allocations. The efficient water storage underpins cotton production by allowing water to be carried into the new season.

Developments include an additional 4,142ML water storage, construction of flood protection works and the installation of a river pump station. RFM has also developed an additional 744 ha of irrigated area which features 393 ha of lateral and pivot irrigation systems.

Water availability and land attributes

The north-east boundary of Lynora Downs has frontage to the Comet River. Various watercourses traverse the property and generally connect to the river. A feature of the property is the efficient collection of river water and the opportunities to access overland flows. This is highlighted when the Comet River overflows filling the surge to the south-eastern corner of the property. In total, Lynora Downs has 7,780 ML of unsupplemented water allocations (volumetric limit) and an overland flow licence of up to 10,707 ML.

The soils at Lynora Downs are predominantly fertile black and chocolate self-mulching cracking clays. These self-mulching clays exhibit a consistent heavy clay texture that extends from the surface deep into the soil profile. These soils have high nutrient levels, high water holding capacity and good drainage characteristics.

Climate

The Central Highlands region has a sub-tropical climate, ideal for growing cotton and other crops. The nearby Rolleston Airport has a mean annual rainfall of 610mm with nearly half falling during the summer months. The relatively consistent and adequate rainfall, particularly over the summer months, is beneficial to productivity and compliments year-round cropping activities.

Mean temperatures recorded at Rolleston Airport over the past 10 years range from 14.4 to 29.5 degrees Celsius. This warmer climate features long, warm summer months providing ideal growing conditions for cotton, and the consistent mild winters facilitate the planting of winter crops.