Farmer of the Year: 2022 winners Nicole and Brendan Saunders reveal agritourism plans
Nicole and Brendan Saunders were “blown away” to win Farmer of the Year 2022, but their new agritourism venture shows why they deserve the title.
For Nicole and Brendan Saunders, being crowned The Weekly Times Coles 2022 Farmer of the Year has been a chance to step back and take stock of all they have achieved in the dairy industry.
It’s an impressive track record.
In the five years since the dairy-farming couple made the move from New Zealand to Gippsland, where they started as sharefarmers in 2018, they have expanded their herd dramatically, boosted turnover by 10-fold, bought a 95ha farm at Maffra and in December last year snapped up a second block, to now own 150ha of their own land.
“It is good to take a step back and look at what you are trying to achieve,” said Brendan, 38, who has been working in the industry since he was 17.
“Farming can be quite life consuming; you can get stuck in the day-to-day stuff.
“(Farmer of the Year) drags you out of the day-to-day stuff, to look at your business from a different perspective.”
PATH TO GROWTH
Nicole and Brendan milk 1300 cows, with a herd of 700 on their farm and an additional 600 on leased acreage.
Standing on stage accepting an industry accolade pushed the young couple out of their comfort zone, and made them pause for thought.
But, that pause didn’t last long.
The win led to big opportunities for business growth, which they have both embraced.
“We have had fantastic opportunities,” said Nicole, 30. “We were invited to go speak to the WAFarmers Dairy Conference in Busselton in late July, which was fantastic. That was an opportunity we would never have had without Farmer of the Year.”
Since their win in February, Nicole has also been accepted to take part in Rabobank’s Executive Development Program and a rural woman leadership program.
Brendan said reflecting on what they had achieved had led them to finetune their priorities and set ambitious business goals.
“We have taken an overview of what we have been doing … and it has been really good to help us in setting up our plans for the future,” Brendan said.
They have spearheaded improvement works on their recently purchased land, to prepare for a predicted drier season ahead and also gain operational efficiencies.
“We put a really heavy focus on ensuring that the money we spend is money into things that will have a great return,” Nicole said.
They have invested in pasture improvement, new water troughs, irrigation infrastructure and new fencing to turn five existing paddocks into 21 on the property.
“We are trying to set up the farm in a way so that when the next downturn or the next drought hits, we are able to adapt our costs,” Nicole said.
The new irrigation equipment and paddock subdivision will allow them to scale back if needed, while still maximising pasture and milk production.
SWEET SUSTAINABILITY
Brendan and Nicole have also this year calculated their enterprise’s carbon emissions intensity per kilogram of milk solids.
With firm focus on sustainability, their next step is to investigate tools they can use to reduce their environmental footprint.
While keeping firm focus on their dairy operation, they are also diversifying into horticulture.
The Saunders’ team is in the final stages of building The Berry Dairy – an on-farm cafe and pick-your-own strawberry venture that is due to open in October.
On The Berry Dairy’s new website – where the Saunders explain they were “absolutely blown away” to be named Farmer of the Year – they say the new venture is part of their “mission to ensure people can connect with where their food comes from and to spread the love for agriculture industry”.
“We are putting the finishing touches on the kitchen this month,” Nicole said. “And have 10,500 strawberry plants in the ground. Drip tape irrigation is installed, and we are starting to design our menu.
“I’m on track to have 90 per cent of things on the menu sourced from Gippsland, and the remaining 10 per cent will be sourced from Victoria.”
While their vision and drive is clearly impressive, one of the most important secrets to the young couple’s success had been their workforce.
“Our team are doing an absolutely incredible job on farm operations,” Nicole said, “which has meant Brendan and I have been able to do a lot of other things.”
Staff retention is a point of pride.
Of their team of 15 workers, only two have moved on in the past 18 months.
“We just want to make sure they can grow and develop their skills, and make the most of every opportunity they can get as well,” Nicole said.
The team has also been integral to The Berry Dairy and its strawberry seedlings.
Brendan said they and their staff were enjoying the sidestep into horticulture.
“Everyone likes learning something new,” he said. “It is really exciting to see how it will all pan out.”
BRING ON THE CHALLENGE
While they are optimistic about the future, Nicole and Brendan are also under no illusion about the challenges on the horizon.
“We’re heading into a season a lot different to last year,” Nicole said. “It is definitely very dry.
“The last few years have been incredible growth. So just heading into more of an average year can be an adjustment of thinking.
“We have already started irrigating on one farm because it is on the river. The other farm will be irrigating as soon as channels open.”
Their recent investment in irrigation infrastructure on their home block will also make it easier for them to use underground water rights that came with the property. And they hope diversifying into agritourism will also decrease risk in the enterprise.
Ultimately, taking every opportunity to learn and grow while supporting their team to do the same has put them in good stead.
“We want to surround ourselves with positive people who want the industry to grow,” Nicole said.
The Weekly Times is searching for the best farmers from across Australia to profile as part of this year’s The Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year campaign.
If you know someone who deserves to be recognised as an outstanding farmer, let us know by nominating them in the form below.
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