A different pathway leads to dairy success

Boorcan farmers Theres and Jamie Drake have carved a unique pathway into the dairy industry since moving from New Zealand 12 years ago. 

With help from the Farm Source Professional team, the Drakes have moved from farm workers to managers, and now they are leasing their farm. 

The family began working on a farm at Ecklin, and then moved to their own lease farm in Boorcan. Over time they built up their own herd, which numbered 230 by the 2021-22 season, on a lease farm at Boorcan. 

Theres also started a vegetable business on the property they were renting as a home-schooling exercise for her three children. 

“We pride ourselves on being self-sufficient, and the vegetable farm was a great opportunity to educate our children in our own little business venture where we sold our produce at roadside sales,” says Theres. 

With their dairy business growing, the Drakes turned to Farm Source People Specialist Jozzy Bevin for help with employing staff to look after their herd. 

“My work with Theres and Jamie started with employment contracts and has grown to include risk mitigation and protecting the business with induction, policies and procedures,” says Jozzy. 

Although Theres and Jamie hit a roadblock 12 months ago when the owner of the Boorcan property decided to sell, and their vegetable business would have to go with it. 

Fortunately, they had also been working with Profit Specialist Andrew Martin on DairyBase – the online tool used by farmers to measure and compare their business performance. This provided the information they needed to plan their next move. 

“When Theres called to say the house and land they were renting was on the market, we were able to revisit their goals – and the fact it wasn’t vital for them to own their property to grow their dairy business,” recalls Andrew. 

“That gave us time to do some cashflow planning and look at options. We then worked with the bank to secure a smaller block to purchase, for a family home and to support their vegetable farm venture.” 

Jozzy believes the experience of Theres and Jamie highlights the many different pathways into dairy and demonstrates that land ownership is not always necessary to run a successful business. 

The help from Farm Source means the Drakes can continue to farm their way. 

“With Fonterra, it’s not just about the milk pick-up. You can get support on so many levels through the Farm Source team, whether it’s agronomy, employment, farm safety or the financial side of things.  

“They are a big part of what we have achieved here,” says Theres.