Tallangatta South Focus Farm
TALLANGATTA FOCUS FARM KICKS OFF
The Tallangatta Focus Farm had an enthusiastic start in late June, with the Support Group, Focus Farmers Mark and Narelle McDonald and their two young sons Jock and Dughal meeting for the first time. McDonalds are one of a number of northern Victorian dairy farmers who have put their hand up to be “Focus Farmers” over the next two years. The Focus Farm project is funded by the Gardiner Foundation and managed by Murray Dairy.
A Focus Farm is not a “demonstration” or “best practice” farm; it is a normal commercial dairy business “winding its pathway” through the variable dairy industry. Over the next two years a Support Group, composed of mainly dairy farmers but also the Mark and Narelle’s agronomist, banker and accountant plus some DPI staff, will meet every six weeks at the McDonalds’ farm with a very clear role to play. They will assist Mark and Narelle to achieve their stated personal and business objectives.
Mark and Narelle’s dairy history is similar to many young couples attempting to grow assets and skills in the dairy industry. They commenced sharefarming in 1995 and worked on three different farms on a range of lower order shares without herd ownership. In 1997 they returned to a family beef property and converted it to dairy; after another 5 years they moved to Corryong and borrowed to purchase a 220 cow herd. An equity partnership opportunity arose in Mt Gambier milking 480 cows and they decided to move, but after some very difficult conditions, they returned to the Kiewa Valley in 2006 and share farmed in a traditional 50/50 share arrangement, milking and owning 330 cows.
In 2009 they were successful in securing a 5 year lease farm at Tallandoon in the Mitta Valley near Tallangatta. In 2010/2011 they milked 330 cows. Herd numbers can increase to over 400 cows in 2011/2012 and 500 the following year - if it assists in achieving their objectives.
Mark and Narelle clearly explained their objectives to the Support Group at the first meeting:
- To have better cash flow and “money in the bank”.
- To reduce debt.
- To have an annual holiday and preferably two blocks of two weeks.
- Longer term they want to invest off farm.
The Support Group will now meet on the Focus Farm every six weeks to review both the short term and long term activities and priorities. Physical and financial performance will be measured to assist with this decision making. There will be Field Days open to the public and dairy farming population at various times during the project.
The extent to which the objectives have been achieved will be assessed at the end of the project.
 John Mulvany facilitating the McDonalds FF meeting |
 McDonalds FF support group out in the paddock |