Some time in the early 200's we extended the 30 ASHB to it's current 40. In 2007 we added 80ha of the neighbors to the farm and as before,we did all the water scheme and fencing ourselves. Cow numbers increased slightly over the years to our current 540-550 herd

We've always been ones to try & have control of as many aspects of daily farming life as possible & we've always operated the "fully self contained" model as much as possible. All young stock,silage, crops have always been done on the "platform" apart from a couple of extremes

After many winters on kale in 2012,we made the big and bold move at the time to sink over $1 million into our freestall barn to get all our cows off the land during winter. Having housed 200 cows in winters since 2005,going the whole hog was a big call & a lot of $$$

But it has definitely been the right move for us as the future of farming constantly changes. In May 2019 we bought 120ha adjacent to the home farm. This has made everything "final" in my opinion,we have the scope to fed all our stock,not just heifers,but rear bulls as well

As we can now rear all our bull calves,we are on the path to zero bobbies. We use slurry from our barn to fertilize the land when & where required. Silage is then made of this land,as well as cereal silage. It's just a continuous circle of adding nutrients & harvesting grass

This has been a small insight into our "journey" over the last 25yrd. Highs & lows,like all farming. If you're having a shit day,stick at it,there will be better days ahead,I can attest to that. I won't be around to see 100yrs unfortunately but hopefully one of our family will

I'd also like to say,we got here through hard work,very hard work and dedication. And our love for the pedigree Ayrshire cow,and later,the pedigree Holstein cow. If not for our love of these cows,we wouldn't be where we are today. Everything we do,we do for them.