Consolidated Pastoral Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agrifood |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, Asian markets |
Key people | Troy Setter (CEO) |
| Products | Beef, live cattle |
| Owner | Guy and Julia Hands (Hands Family Office) |
The Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC) stands as a prominent privately held agrifood enterprise in Australia, overseeing eight extensive cattle stations that span more than 3.6 million hectares across Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. The company manages a herd exceeding 300,000 cattle, with its beef and live cattle products primarily distributed to Asian markets, domestic feedlots, and processing facilities.
History
Founded in 1983, CPC began with the purchase of multiple properties in the Northern Territory, notably acquiring Newcastle Waters Station from Ashburton Pastoral Company. In 1987, the company expanded its holdings by buying Isis Downs Station, which at the time covered 1,227 km², for around AUD 10 million. Further growth occurred in 1990 with the acquisition of Nockatunga Station.
In 2003, CPC placed Isis Downs on the market following Kerry Packer's strategic pivot toward beef cattle and meat processing ventures. The property then encompassed 2,200 km² and was home to 80,000 merino sheep alongside 10,000 mixed cattle, with an estimated value near AUD 20 million. After failing to complete a sale, CPC fully converted Isis Downs to cattle operations by 2004.
In April 2009, Terra Firma, a private equity group, secured a majority interest in CPC. Keith Warren stepped down as CEO in 2014 after serving less than a year; his successor was Troy Setter, who joined from Australian Agricultural Company.
That same year marked CPC’s acquisition of Bunda Station in the Victoria River District for about AUD 15 million—exceeding the AUD 10 million reserve price set during an auction two years prior.
Ownership of CPC resides with Guy and Julia Hands via the Hands Family Office. Terra Firma (UK), under Guy Hands’ control, oversees the investment management. The Hands Family Office maintains a varied portfolio that includes forestry, renewable energy, real estate, and hospitality sectors.
CPC’s purchase corresponds with global macroeconomic shifts such as rising population numbers, growing protein demand across Asian markets, and constrained availability of arable land. The company possesses considerable land and water resource development opportunities to leverage these dynamics.
Cattle stations
- Allawah, Queensland
- Bunda, Northern Territory
- Carlton Hill, Western Australia
- Isis Downs, Queensland
- Kirkimbie, Northern Territory
- Newcastle Waters, Northern Territory
- Dungowan, Northern Territory
- Wrotham Park, Queensland