The outlook for Australian agriculture is bright. Commodity prices are relatively high, the world’s population is rapidly expanding, and industries such as biofuel are competing for agricultural commodities. The Great Southern Rural Opportunities Fund provides an excellent opportunity to benefit from the increasing demand for agriculture through a diverse investment in a range of agricultural assets. 

Fund features

A diversified portfolio of agricultural assets, with a bias towards agricultural property and infrastructure holdings. The Fund may also invest in operating agricultural assets, listed agricultural equities and cash. It provides returns through income and capital growth over the long term and offers relatively low volatility.

Fund objective

To provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of agricultural assets, with a bias towards agricultural property and infrastructure holdings, designed to deliver returns through a mix of both growth and distributions.

The Fund's performance against its objectives will be measured by reference to whether it exceeds its benchmark of a total pre-tax return of CPI plus 5% per annum net of management costs, over rolling three year periods.  This benchmark is not a forecast or indication of likely future rturns but is simply a benchmark against which the Manager measures the overall performance of the Fund.

Fund strategy

The Fund intends to invest across a range of agricultural sectors, geographic regions, climatic
zones and asset classes. Great Southern will undertake rigorous analysis before making investment decisions.

The Fund’s investments, with the exclusion of cash, will be in agricultural assets, which are defined as assets that are primarily related to agriculture, forestry, bio-energy or secondary processing of agricultural or forestry products.

Asset Allocation Objectives

Liquidity

There are currently two mechanisms available to investors who wish to withdraw their investment while the Fund is not liquid: the Manager Repurchase Facility (MRF) and Withdrawal Offers.
Manager Repurchase Facility
The Manager intends to make an offer to purchase Units in the Fund from Unitholders under the Manager Repurchase Facility. The MRF will be established within the next three months and will be maintained whilst the Fund is not liquid. The MRF is subject to certain limitations as set out in the PDS.
Withdrawal Offers
A Withdrawal Offer may be offered when the MRF is not available. Unitholders will be notified of Withdrawal Offers in writing and in the quarterly investor briefing newsletter.