Tim and I, along with our three children (Drew , Evan & Keira) manage a family farm in Myall, located on the Murray River. We are fourth generation farmers, and I have been involved in two family successions in my time.
In 2022, we made a major leap forward by installing eight Lely robots, allowing our 500 Friesian cows to milk themselves on their own schedule. This shift from our old 44-stand rotary has transformed how we manage the dairy, making the cows’ wellbeing a priority and increasing efficiency. Our 355-hectare farm, which is fully automated irrigated pipeline from the Murray River to Goulburn Murray channel system for year-round water access.
Our calving program is spread across three periods each year—in February, August, and November. We raise all our replacement heifers, ensuring they’re strong and productive, joining them at 400kg with a Wagyu and AI program for our lactating cows to breed with strong genetics to fit into our robot milking system. We employ two full-time staff who help us manage daily operations, and as a family, we work together to keep the farm thriving.
Beyond the farm, our family is deeply connected to the local community. Our sons play football and our daughter plays netball for the Murrabit Football Netball Club. You’ll see Tim as the water boy and myself umpiring the netball. During the summer, we all play tennis for the Murrabit Lawn Tennis Club.
Balancing farming and family, I also work once a week as an Exercise Physiologist in Cohuna, where I help clients recover from injuries and embrace exercise to improve their health and quality of life.