Van Dairy has sold one of its farms on the historic Woolnorth property in Tasmania’s far north-west.
Chinese businessman Xianfeng Lu announced in April 2024 that 9,500 hectares of farmland, including 4,207 hectares of dairy land, were up for sale.
The decision came after Fonterra terminated its milk supply agreement with Van Dairy, a loss representing approximately 25 million litres of milk per year.
On Thursday, Lu confirmed that the 717-hectare Denium Dairy Farm was sold in January to Victorian dairy farmers Harper and Oonagh Kilpatrick.
Established in 1997, the farm features a 50-bail rotary dairy, three houses and vast pastures on the far eastern border of Woolnorth.
“I am confident that the new owners will reap great reward not only from the dairy farm, but also from being a part of the remarkable local community,” Lu said.
“It has been an honour to be the owner and custodian of one of Australia’s most important historic agricultural properties.”
Lu still has nearly 9,000 hectares of dairy and grazing land, along with seven rotary dairies, on the market.
The Van Diemen’s Land Company name and archives are also up for sale.
Despite the sale, Lu said the north-west “will always hold a special place in my heart”.
