It’s been a relief across Gippsland to finally receive some welcome rain. Silage is coming off, dams are filling, and here in the Macalister Irrigation District, the weir has spilled — resetting our irrigation season and bringing a collective sigh of relief.
For Mike and I, this season feels even more special as we celebrate a major milestone: purchasing the dairy farm we’ve been share-farming on.
This moment is more than just a business step forward — it’s a reflection on the journey that’s brought us here. As first-generation farmers, we’ve always appreciated the openness and support of the dairy community.
From the beginning, people have been willing to share knowledge, offer advice and lend encouragement. That willingness to support one another is what makes this industry so strong.
Surrounding ourselves with positive and resilient people has been essential.
Dairy farming can feel like a rollercoaster — milk price fluctuations, workforce challenges, changing commodity markets, interest rates and land values all pulling in different directions.
Through it all, setting clear goals, staying focused on the bigger picture and putting in the hard work every day has helped us stay grounded.
Some years, progress came in small steps — but we’ve learned to celebrate each of those steps.
Adversity often brings opportunity.
Budget pressures, weather challenges and workforce shortages have prompted us to refine and improve our systems.
Regularly assessing how and why we do things has been key to running an efficient business, and the reward is seeing your hard work translate into a thriving farm and a future built from your own efforts.
We’ve made it a priority to keep learning — through extension programs, discussion groups and resources from Dairy Australia.
Staying connected to best practice has been strategic, and our focus has always been on profitability — because profitability allows growth and reinvestment. The foundation of that success lies in growing more homegrown feed, maintaining healthy cows through good husbandry and breeding, and making sound short- and long-term decisions that support our goals.
The opportunity to build equity through share-farming has been vital.
It works best when all parties benefit—farm owners earning a return on their investment, and share-farmers building equity for their future.
It’s a partnership built on trust, communication, and shared progress, supporting financial viability while weathering the highs and lows of the dairy industry.
As we take this next step into farm ownership, we do so with gratitude — for the people who’ve guided us, the lessons we’ve learned and the opportunities still ahead.
Our journey has shown with resilience, hard work, curiosity and community, it’s possible to build something lasting from the ground up.
For anyone working towards the next step, my advice is simple: have clear short- and long-term goals, seek out the best opportunities that are fair and equitable to all parties, and surround yourself with people who will teach, encourage and guide you — mentors, consultants, or networks like GippsDairy or the Young Dairy Network.
Talk to your accountant and bank manager early — they can help you plan and navigate the next steps. And above all, commit to upskilling.
Your skills in farming and business are the foundation of your success.