Mirboo North: Dairy farmer Bruce Manintveld dies in severe storm

Tributes have started to pour in for Mirboo North dairy farmer Bruce Manintveld who lost his life in last week’s ferocious storms.

The Mirboo North dairy farmer, who died in the severe storms that lashed South Gippsland last week, has been remembered as a “great contributor” to the industry.

Bruce Manintveld, 50, was riding a quad bike when he was struck with a piece of metal that had detached from a shed at his property at the height of the storms, according to WorkSafe.

Dairy farmer Bruce Manintveld on his property near Mirboo North in 2018. Picture: Aaron Francis

Mr Manintveld’s wife Fiona said he was a “man who loved his cows”.

They predominantly milked a jersey herd of more than 300 cows and began as share farmers at Shady Creek in West Gippsland.

The couple purchased their Mirboo North farm more than a decade ago and achieved their ambitious goal of paying it off in under a decade, as revealed in a 2021 Dairy Australia podcast.

This is his wife Fiona @YonBaker Bruce passed away shortly after his last Twitter posting on Tues night. He was racing the storm to bring the cows in. He rolled the 🎲 & lost. Thats farming though…you roll the 🎲 - he normally won. Not this time. A man who loved his cows 💔

— Bruce Manintveld (@BruceManintveld) February 16, 2024

Australian Dairy Farmers president Ben Bennett described Mr Manintveld affectionately as a “cow man” and an “incredible guy with a phenomenal story”.

“Bruce was a self-made farmer, and he and wife Fiona paid their farm off in record time,” he said.

“He was well respected and had a phenomenal work ethic.

“The couple accomplished the un-accomplishable in creating a freehold farm in a matter of years.

“ADF conveys its sincere and deep condolences to Bruce’s family, especially his wife, Fiona, at this difficult time.”

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano, who is also from Mirboo North, led the tributes to Mr Manintveld.

“On behalf of all Victorian farmers, the VFF extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Bruce Manintveld’s family,” she said.

“Bruce was a good friend of one of the VFF board directors, a great contributor to our industry and a valued member of his community.”

Dairy Australia said in a statement: “Dairy Australia extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Bruce Manintveld, and our team in the Gippsland region is reaching out to offer any support we can provide in the wake of this tragic accident.”

Late dairy farmer Bruce Manintveld on his property near Mirboo North. Picture: Aaron Francis