When it came to herd health on his Tasmanian dairy, for too many years Drew Carter admits he was treating the problem rather than the cause.
A recent investment in solar is paying dividends on the Telford family's South Australian dairy - keeping costs down and increasing sustainability.
Pump and irrigation ‘smart boxes’ installed on the McAlpine’s Victorian dairy are helping the family lower labour intensity needs and claw back precious hours.
Tasmanian dairy farmers Richard and Emily Gardner are trialling an asparagopsis seaweed-based feed additive, as part of an industry trial between Sea Forest and Fonterra.
Victorian dairy farmer Scott McKillop is implementing technology across his dairy to increase the health and wellbeing of not only his animals, but staff also.
Stephen and Jess Knight have transformed their Gippsland dairy in just five short years - with efficiency and productivity gains thanks to on-farm water security.
Anderson Family, Flinders Island
Among the fields of shiny black cattle grazing Tasmania’s Flinders Island, Scott and Anna Anderson’s white faced Poll Herefords are a glaring anomaly.
Lawrie Family, Gogango
Buoyed by childhood memories of lush grass growing well above the ute bonnet, central Queensland grazier Andrew Lawrie has dedicated his farming life to restoring health into his depleted soils.
Oliver Family, Temora
By staying flexible and making the most of opportunities as they come along, Rob and Helen Oliver have been able to continuously build up their mixed farming business.
Cook Family, Dandaragan
After questioning their traditional farming practices David and Joan Cook eventually made the bold decision in 2000 to become one of the early adopters of organic production.
Sheather Family, Biggara Valley
With four generations of the family living on their dairy property, ongoing business improvement and succession planning go hand-in-hand for husband and wife team, Craig and Jo Sheather.
Brunckhorst Family, Isisford
Whatever the challenge, nothing has been able to keep down western Queensland wool growers Rob and Pauline Brunckhorst, who have come out on top every time.
Gardiner Family, Bamawm
It was joint careers in agriculture that brought together dairy farmers Mark and Ann Gardiner, leading not only to marriage and family, but to the establishment of their now thriving business.
Graham Family, Coolac
Brothers James and Jock Graham come from a traditional family farm, and embracing their entrepreneurial spirit has led to the creation of a business enterprise that spans a diverse range of entities.
Will MacSmith, Sheep Producer, Orange
Sheep producer Will MacSmith developed an automated feeding system to measure sheep live weight and individual intake in real time.
Deane and Henry Goode, Sheep and Wool Producers, Kingston
The Goode family are creating a premium for their wool in overseas markets through genetics and breeding.
Ian Stanley, Grain Grower, Marmion
Ian is using waste from eucalyptus oil and turning it into renewable energy, which could potentially be enough to run their farming operation.
Barry Irvin, Dairy Farmer & Executive Chairman of Bega Cheese, Bega
As a farmer and the head of Bega Cheese, Barry understands the importance of leaving the land in a better order for the next generation.
Greg and Sally Chappell, Beef Producers, Glenn Innes
African Love Grass may be a weed for some farmers, but for Greg and Sally it has become a valuable source of high protein feed.
Ian Gourley, Dryland Cotton Grower, Narrabri
Ian is part of a local group working to find long term solutions to improve moisture held in soil.
Jamie and Melita Jurgen, Horticulture and Cane Growers, Bowen
On their farm Jamie and Melita are passionate about increasing soil health, while creating an environmentally friendly eco system.
David and Danielle Statham, Supply Chain Innovation, Moree
David and Danielle created Fibre Trace, a tool to assist with tracing their cotton through the entire supply chain from farm to garment.
James Walch, Sheep Producer, Campbell Town
James has a strong Landcare ethos and has been working with nature to encourage the return of endangered native grassland.
Edwina Beveridge, Pig Producer, Young
Edwina has turned waste into a valuable resource using methane from the piggery as renewable energy which powers a whole farming operation.
Steven, Freda & Pieter-Taco Bierema, Intensive Cropping, Ashburton
Advocates of early adaptors of technology, the Bierema’s are always looking to find the right balance between sustainability and profitability.
Campbell Tait, Dairy Farmer, Ashburton
Water efficiency is a critical part of Campbell’s success, so he set up his farm with pivots, moisture probes and variable rate irrigators to improve sustainability.
Ranford Family, Eyre Peninsula
Whether it is a hot pink chaser bin to raise awareness of breast cancer or trialling warm season crops in winter, Ben and Kathy Ranford don’t shy away from trying something new.
Modra Family, Port Lincoln
When South Australian farmer Mark Modra talks about his cropping and livestock enterprise, there are common threads throughout: sustainability, simplicity, resilience.
Harvey Family, Western Flat
South Australian sheep producers Martin and Kirsty Harvey have weathered many challenges over the years but are now reaping the rewards of taking calculated risks.
Gardiner Family, Coleambally
For Trent, Jenny and Chris Gardiner, a lucrative niche market and high cotton yields have been major benefits to come out of running their business as a real family affair.
Corkhill Family, Boorowa
While livestock and in particular wool remains the primary business of the Corkhill family, the latest generation is not resting on these foundations.
Kadwell Family, Crookwell
The high elevation and relative isolation of the region has made it a haven for growing vegetable crops with little disease pressure.
Minnamurra Pastoral Company, NSW
David Reid, part owner, Minnamurra Pastoral Company had not thought of changing his herd dynamics until his then GM visited the US and Canada.
Sinclair Family, Alexandra
Dick and Cally Sinclair see scale and succession as the biggest challenges, prompting them to adhere to a business focus that led to more than tripling the land size of their operation.
Glenlee Cattle Company, Rockhampton
With 30 years’ experience in the beef industry, Rockhampton cattle producer Geoff Coombes knows a good beast when he sees one.
Barham Avocados, Barham
Tim and Katrina Meyers know their irrigation has to be accurate, so they use a moisture probe connected to their smart phone.
The Grove, Condamine
On his Queensland property, The Grove Condamine, Godfrey Morgan recognises that flexibility is the doorway to success.
G Spinks Nominees, Kyalite
As global demand for protein continues to grow, third generation farmer Gavin and Andrea Spinks are honing their own lamb production.
Bowles Farm, Mead
Victorian dairy farmers Gary and Diane Bowles believe improving genetics in their herd is the catalyst for both increased production and profitability.
Mayer Family, Banksmeadow
While F Mayer now employs 160 people and is an Australian market leader in gourmet food imports joint Managing Director Robbie Mayer... "
Scotney Family, Moora
John Scotney was working as an accountant in London in the early 90s when his father called him home with the opportunity to... "
Finger Family, Gippsland
Starting your own business from scratch is tough – but Simon and Lauren Finger have not only survived… they’ve thrived.
Huon Aquaculture, Tasmania
Huon Aquaculture have been involved in the Tasmanian salmon farming industry from the beginning, but it was by no means an overnight success.
Gallagher Family, Innisfail
The path that Pat Gallagher took to become patriarch of one of the biggest family owned banana operations in Australia is not your traditional one..."
Armitage Family, Cecil Plains
Stuart Armitage is a man who is passionate about Australia's cotton industry. For the past 40 years, Stuart's family has farmed 'Wamara, ..."
Sorace Family, Yarra Valley
Meeting the growing demands of consumers is not only a challenge, it's a must for any business to succeed. Vince Sorace, a strawberry producer .. "
Pirrottina Family, WA
Growing up on a coral atoll 70km out in the Indian Ocean would be an unusual upbringing by most standards, but not for Justin Pirrottina.
Cossar Family, Charlton
David and Jennifer Cossar run a hay and cropping operation around 15 minutes south of Charlton, a town that has overcome its fair share... "
Grapeland, Robinvale
This recipe for an effective family business seems to be a successful one for the Costantinos and from their humble 20 acre beginnings ..."
Proteaflora, Monbulk
David Mathews of Proteaflora, the largest Protea nursery in Australia says his family fell into growing Proteas almost by accident ... "
Ferguson Family, Toowoomba
When looking at the history of Glenn Oaks Santa Gertrudis breeders, Wendy and Scott Ferguson, it could easily be argued that their lineage is... "
Ingram Family, Emerald
"Cautiously optimistic’, it’s an overused phrase, but for many farmers cropping in Central Queensland (CQ), it captures the current emotions perfectly..."
Gordon Family, Cohuna
For Victorian dairy farmers Ross and Janette Gordon, 2016 has been one of their tougher years. Their farm, south-west of Cohuna in Victoria, supplies ..."
Caudo Family, Cadell
When Western Australian mining industry business owners and keen water skiers Christine and Joe Caudo came across a small farm on the... "
Chalker Family, Cowra
After six generations farming sheep on the Wombeyan Caves in New South Wales, Peter and Alison Chalker made the decision to head west..."
Griffin Family, Westbury
The Griffin family’s love of dairy farming dates back to 1920 when Chris’ grandfather bought a 52 hectare dairy farm, “Springdale”, in Westbury, in the Gippsland region of Victoria.
de Bondt Family, South Gippsland
Con and Deanna de Bondt did not think of themselves as ‘organic people’, but now they have turned their once conventional dairy farm into a Certified Organic Dairy Business.
Quartermaine Family, Dowerin
Modern farming methods have been a game changer in moisture management and have been key to the Quartermaines achieving decent yields despite unpredictable weather.
Richens Family, Kamarah
A huge commitment to innovation and technology have paved the way for Brad and Joan Richens to improve moisture conservation and soil health on their cropping property.
Manning Family, Mansfield
For beef producers Rod and Rodda Manning, Rabobank’s Executive Development Program was a turning point in the expansion of their farm business.
Tyler Family, Tongala
Over the last 30 years of growing their farm business, Andrew & Robyn Tyler have been ready to adapt and make the most of opportunities along the way.
