Tallangatta Focus Farm Kicks Off
The McDonald ‘Focus Farm’ in Tallangatta made an enthusiastic start in late June. Mark and Narelle McDonald are one of four northern Victorian dairy farm businesses who have put their hand up to be involved in the Murray Dairy Focus Farm Project over the next two years.
A Focus Farm is not considered to be a ‘demonstration’ or ‘best practice’ farm; it is a normal commercial dairy business operating in the dairy industry. The aim of the Focus Farm Project is to help farmers better understand their farm business systems, to analyse the impact of on-farm development and decision making options including considerations relating to risk management. Each Focus Farm will develop objectives and focal areas specific for their business which might relate to production, financial management or resource management.
The McDonald Focus Farm will be supported by an experienced farm consultant who will facilitate a support group. Over the next two years the support group, comprised mostly of dairy farmers as well as the McDonalds’ agronomist, banker and accountant, will meet every six weeks at the McDonalds’ farm. Their role is to assist Mark and Narelle to achieve their stated personal and business objectives.
Mark and Narelle McDonald’s experience in dairying is similar to many young couples attempting to grow assets and skills in the industry. They commenced share farming 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 five 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. However, 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 five year lease farm at Tallandoon in the Mitta Valley near Tallangatta. In 2010-2011 they milked 330 cows. Herd numbers may increase to over 400 cows in 2011-2012 and 500 the following year, if Focus Farm assists them in achieving their business objectives.
Mark, Narelle and their two young sons Jock and Dughal, met for the first time with their support group in June. They clearly explained their objectives to the group at the meeting:
- To have better cash flow and ‘money in the bank’;
- To reduce debt;
- To have an annual holiday; and
- 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 and long term activities and priorities. Physical and financial performance will be measured to assist in decision making. There will be open days on the farm at various times during the project.
The extent to which the McDonalds’ business objectives have been achieved will be assessed at the end of the project.
For more information about the Murray Dairy Focus Farm Project, please contact Tori Rath, telephone (03) 5833 5927.
