After 41 years and working in several states, including as an owner, sharefarmer and manager, James Dillon is retiring from milking cows.
His decision to retire from running his own business is based on a long-term plan, as well as his physical ability to keep milking cows.
His only regret is giving up his registered Ayrshire herd, which includes a line-up of sashed champion cows and heifers.
James has managed dairies at Katherine in the Northern Territory and on King Island, each agribusiness milking more than 1000 cows.
Until recently he owned an irrigated dairy farm in northern Victoria, in partnership with New Zealand friends, Ann and Brian Thomas.
“We owned a fair bit of irrigation water, but unless you had consistent good seasons, it was a battle to make a living on that farm,” James said.
The farm was sold last year and the partnership recently wound up.
James has twice been a sharefarmer in Gippsland — the first time for nine years in West Gippsland and the last four years at Ruby in South Gippsland.
He was initially looking for a lease opportunity in South Gippsland to round out his last years as a sole operator before retirement.
“I wanted to come back to South Gippsland, but there weren’t any farms available to lease.
“This share opportunity came about and I took it.”
He leased out his northern Victorian farm.
“Also, I didn’t know how many more years I wanted to farm, so sharefarming was a good option for continuing to farm,” James said.
“That way, when I’ve decided I’ve had enough I can easily stop.
“I started dairy farming the week before I turned 18.
“I’ve been a dairy farmer for more than 41 years.
“The only time I didn’t work full-time was during the two years I spent at ag college.
“I love milking cows but my body needs a break.”
Retirement is also part of his exit plan to leave full-time farming, which was supposed to occur in 2022; but James extended his sharefarming agreement for a year. He will finish at the end of June.
“I’m retiring from dairy farming and owning my own dairy,” he said.
“I’m taking a break for a few months and I’ll decide after then what I want to do.”
That break begins with the close of the financial year, but in the meantime James is selling his herd and machinery.
He owns a mixed herd, with some Ayrshires under the Parkville stud prefix.
James’ Ayrshire stud herd includes the reigning International Dairy Week senior champion cow and a former junior champion heifer.
The autumn calving cows and the registered Ayrshire herd are selling on June 2.
A follow up sale for the spring calving cows is planned for June 26.
The sale includes cattle from two-month-old calves to his older milking cows, and everything in between.
“There’s 115 head in the first sale,” James said.
“Then there are 60-plus yearling heifers, and 25 spring calving heifers.”
The balance of his machinery — tractor, slasher and quad bike — will also be put up for sale.
James said after he has a rest and does some travel, he will probably look for work on dairy farms — but not milking cows because of the physical toll.
“I’ve had a good career in the dairy industry,” he said.
“Maybe in ‘retirement’ I’ll travel and work along the way.
“I like to travel. The caravan is packed and ready to go.
“I can do a lot of farm work, but my body can’t milk cows any more.”
Among his experiences in the dairy industry, James participated in a Dairy Australia group tour to the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
“In North America I got to see maize production and feedlot dairies,” he said.
“In Brazil and Argentina, I toured pasture-based dairy systems and some more feedlot dairies.
“It’s good to see how other countries work and understand we all have similar problems — labour shortages, unpredictable seasons.
“It and other experiences have reinforced for me that we’re in a good country to farm.”
He’s participated in study tours related to pasture, feeding, milking and management of cows.
“In Australia we’re very fortunate with our payment structures compared to other countries,” James said.
“We know what we can earn 12 months in advance. It helps us plan.”