Our farm is located in Bessiebelle west of Warrnambool where with my wife Mel and our three kids we milk 550-600 mainly Holstien cows through a 50 unit fully automated rotary dairy.
We have a milking platform of 301 hectares and calve twice a year, mid-February for seven weeks and August for four weeks. We rear all heifer and beef calves and run 270 hectares to support the young stock and supply fodder to the dairy.
We are predominantly dry land perennial ryegrass-based pastures with thirty two hectares under pivot that we grow half maize and half turnips under to better utilize our water. The farm has four full time workers and their families all housed on farm.
I started my dairy career after 9 years as a bricklayer almost by accident and have worked through the steps of wages to share farmer to the dreaded succession planning with Mel’s parents to, after 19 years, owners.
Along this journey I have met inspirational dairy farmers that have helped me grow and understand the industry and encouraged me to continue through the challenges we farmers face.
I’m currently vice chair of West Vic Dairy and was an Inaugural participant in FASC’s Get to Know Fonterra program.
In my spare time I have an active role in the local CFA and Mel and I are both heavily involved with the local Football and Netball club, where my favorite part of the day is to watch our kids play.