Left secondary school at the age of 17 to join my grandfather Charlie and my father Kevin at home on the family farm until 1982 when I went on a 13 month exchange program with the International Agricultural Exchange Association to both Canada and Germany.

 

Returned to Australia in 1983 and was married to my first wife Bev in 1984. We purchased a block of land at Myamyn from the Heaney family and built our first home there. Ran the family farm "Orana" in partnership with my father and younger brother Paul until 1992 when my wife and I formed our own farming partnership. We later moved to a small acreage property on the outskirts of Hamilton where we stayed until 2004 when we moved to Queensland to live.   

 

My experience as a farmer has been very diverse and includes extensive Cattle breeding, Cropping and Sheep experience for both wool and meat production. Have always been a very hands on farm owner and manager with experience in the following areas of management.

 

• Involvement in the day to day animal husbandry and farm operations including calf marking, ear tagging, dehorning and worming of cattle on a routine basis.

• Selection, purchase and overall management of Stud Bulls.

• Cereal and Fodder cropping combining  pasture improvement / renovation

• Attending livestock sales.

• Maintaining comprehensive financial and accounting records on Agrimaster Rural Business system.

• Overseeing the management of casual farm employees and contractors.

• Liaising with stock firms, livestock buyers and farm merchandise outlets.

• Breeding and training of working Kelpie Sheep dogs; also participation in working dog handling schools/workshops.

• Farm machinery servicing and maintenance.

• Maintenance of farm water supplies including repairs to windmills and ground pumps.

• Construction and maintenance of farm fencing and livestock handling facilities.