Byro Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1877 |
| Founder | J. R. O'Grady |
| Headquarters | Mid West, Western Australia , Australia |
| Products | Sheep, cattle, wool |
| Owner | Revive Nominees Pty. Ltd. (as of 2010) |
Byro Station is a pastoral lease and sheep station that also runs cattle, situated in the Mid West area of Western Australia.
Description
The property lies roughly north of Yalgoo and northwest of Cue, encompassing an area near . The Wooramel River flows through its western plains, which consist of gently rolling land interspersed with stretches of saltbush and native grasses.
History
In 1877, Mr J. R. O'Grady from Milly Milly Station together with prospector G. Woodley introduced livestock to the Upper Murchison region while exploring the Wooramel River. O'Grady founded Byro Plains Station before transferring ownership to the Nairn brothers.
Walter Nairn established residence there for 31 years, managing the station with his family from about 1882 when the property was renamed from Mount Jonbert Station. The discovery of gold on Byro Plain in 1890 brought increased attention to the area.
By 1897, James Nairn joined Walter and Edward Nairn in overseeing station operations. In 1908, they sold 1,500 wethers and 150 bullocks to Mr G. J. Gooch. Edward Nairn was appointed justice of the peace in 1911 while living at Byro.
The station expected to shear 20,000 sheep by 1912, utilizing all eight stands within its shearing shed. In 1913, W. J. Nairn sold Byro to the Darlot brothers—veteran pastoralists who also owned Beringarra Station and Billabalong Station. Their plan involved enhancing Byro for breeding purposes and using Billabalong as a supply base.
Management transitioned from E. Roberts (1913–1918) to J. M. Keogh thereafter. A bore was sunk in 1917 at , producing up to per hour of sub-artesian water.
In 1918, the Darlots sold 500 cows and calves and later expanded their flock by purchasing 15,000 prime wethers from Meeberrie and Boolathana stations in 1922—marking the largest single sale of wethers in Western Australia at that time.
Under Keogh’s supervision by 1925, Byro supported 28,000 sheep and 5,200 cattle in 1923; however, a severe drought in 1924 necessitated moving most stock southward to Urilla Station, leaving approximately 5,000 sheep remaining at Byro.
After Everard Firebrace Darlot passed away in 1937, ownership transferred to his brother Leonard Darlot along with partner Norman D'Arcy.
Byro maintained its reputation for producing high-quality wool throughout the mid-1900s, with annual bale sales ranging from as few as eight bales in 1941 to over 120 bales by the late 1940s.
As of 2010, Revive Nominees Pty. Ltd. held the lease; Byro operates under Crown Lease CL774-1966 and Land Act number LA3114/700.