Larpent farmers convert dream to reality

  
Farm ownership was just a dream for share farmers Tim and Tracy Beswicke before they reached out to the Farm Source Professional team who provided the help they needed to purchase their new farm at Larpent. 
 
The couple doesn’t believe they could have made the transition without the independent advice and support they received from Farm Source Profit Specialist Andrew Martin and Paddock Specialist Shane Hargreaves. 
   
Tim comes from farming stock but started his working life as a greenkeeper after leaving school. The appeal of life on a dairy farm proved too strong, however, and he started working on a farm in Irrewillipe before moving to the family farm in Beeac.  
 
Tim worked there for 13 years – starting on wages before moving to a small share, then eventually a half share when he and Tracey bought the herd. 
   
However, the couple was always keen to buy their own farm, which resulted in an approach to Andrew Martin to learn if he knew of any potential farms for sale and whether it would be financially viable to buy one, ultimately leading them to their Larpent farm.  
   
Andrew’s agribusiness background proved invaluable for the Beswickes.  
   
“Our first meeting was about understanding their business and seeing their plans,” Andrew recalls.  
   
“We went through a goal setting exercise, and it was clear that Tim and Tracy wanted to move from share farming into farm ownership and managing their own business. So, we did some scenario planning to see what they could handle.  
   
“We wanted them to get onto a property they could grow into. Coming from share farming into land ownership is a big step, so we needed to make sure they were in a position to be able to take that step,” says Andrew. 
   
Throughout the purchase process, Andrew was on hand, to work with the Beswickes’ bank to ensure the procedure ran smoothly.  
   
“He ran the numbers and did all the thinking for us, working out that we could buy it and lease some titles. So now, with a bit of help, we’re on our way to purchasing those titles as well,” says Tracy.  
  
Andrew conducts regular visits to keep the cash flow up to date and ensures Tim and Tracy’s financial plans remain on track.
  
The Beswickes also rely on Shane Hargreaves who has worked with Tim and Tracy for five years. 
  
Shane says since moving to their new farm, the couple has been confronted with above-average rains in an area where the soil types are not conducive to a lot of rainfall, which has created some challenges in management and production.
  
“Tim and Tracy have done an excellent job mitigating these risk factors, and I’ve also worked with them to develop a whole farm plan, including animal health, nutrition, and farm agronomy. 
 
“That work has helped the cows peak at 2.25kgMS per day this year. After 175 days into lactation, they were still producing two kilos of milk solids, which is a great result considering this herd has only transitioned to this farm over the past 18 months.” 
  
Farm Source Professional is a free service for farmers who supply Fonterra, helping them to manage cash flow and budgets, improve pasture, tackle milk quality issues and take care of HR requirements so farmers can build a stronger business. 
 
“It’s nice when I think I’m doing the right thing to make a phone call and get the nod or disapproval of whether I’m doing it right or wrong,” says Tim.  
  
Tracy says Farm Source has enhanced the value provided by Fonterra to their farming operation, providing strategies and support to help the couple improve performance since taking over the farm.  
  
“It’s added so much to our business that we can’t put a dollar value on. It’s easy to plan our path when we’ve got people who reassure us that we are making the right decisions,” says Tracy.