NATIONAL agribusiness company Landmark will boost its sheep and cattle sales network with the acquisition of Victoria’s Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd from January 1 next year.

The acquisition announced today will mean the Crawford Dowling business – including branches at Ballarat, Skipton will be merged into Landmark’s operations, but a Lismore merchandise will close and some casual positions will go.

Landmark’s Victorian division general manager Jon White said the businesses are highly complementary.

“The acquisition – particularly in Ballarat – will result in a livestock business of significant scale.

“Key members of the Crawford Dowling livestock team will continue with the business and all livestock team members have been offered roles,” he said.

“We are excited to begin working with them in our network, and are pleased to confirm that both Tom and Barclay Dowling will continue with the business.”

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Some casual Crawford Dowling positions not required

However, duplication in administrative and merchandising operations means the Crawford Dowling Lismore merchandise outlet will be closed. CD merchandise outlets in Ballarat and Skipton will move into the existing Landmark premises in these towns.

“Unfortunately, this means some staff will no longer be required.

“This difficult decision involves eight casual employees, all impacted staff were spoken with directly this morning,” Mr White said.

Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd conducts weekly livestock sales for cattle, sheep, lambs and pigs at the Ballarat Livestock Selling Centre, as well as on-farm stock and clearance sales, merchandise sales and real estate. However, the Ballarat pig market will not operate after the merger.

Landmark said it will be business as usual for Crawford Dowling customers, with continued access to finance and real estate services, and a broader suite of finance, insurance, wool and agronomic products and services.

Mr White said integrating the Crawford Dowling team into Landmark’s national network will offer significant benefits to customers with increased access to stock, markets, and market intelligence.

“Landmark will also offer Crawford Dowling customers an array of new services and buying support, including agronomic services and category expertise.”

Merger boosts Landmark livestock network

Mr White said Landmark is committed to investing in the best people in agriculture, and growth across its portfolio of activities.

“This further strengthens LMK’s position as the largest livestock network in the country, and allows us to continue to focus on delivering better value to Australian livestock producers at the farm gate.”

Mr White said Landmark was pleased to bring the businesses together and had a huge respect for the 160 year Crawford Dowling history.

The current Crawford Dowling operation grew out of a business originally established by Mr. Benjamin Hepburn in 1856 at what were known as the old Turf Yards in Creswick Road, Ballarat. In 1885 Benjamin Dowling purchased the business from Mr Hepburn, which was variously called Hepburn, Dowling & Co, then Hepburn, Dowling & Crawford. In 1905, Mr Dowling and his sons, Barclay and Graeme, started operating as Ben Dowling and Sons, and Robert Crawford, with Mr H Seymour continued the old business as Hepburn, Crawford and Seymour. In 1908 the two firms re-united under the name of Crawford, Dowling and Seymour and in 1927 the present company of Crawford Dowling Pty Ltd was formed.