But a father and son living in Southeast Queensland are trying to buck the trend. They bought a farm to enjoy a more balanced lifestyle.
Unlike most retirement plans, Stan Johnston (72 years) chose to become a dairy farmer.
He said, “It’s a good lifestyle because I can keep doing it. I can keep doing things on this farm for another 10 to 15 years.”
When he started running dairy farms 35 years ago, there were nearly 22,000 cattle farms across Australia. Now that number is less than 5,000.
Hundreds of other farms still leave the industry every year. But Johnston went against the tide. “We’re not going to get rich, but it’s a very good industry to live in,” he added.
Over time, his son Wade Johnston started raising livestock recently to create a balanced life for his family.
Wade says, “Every day, it’s hard work. But I wanted to do something where I was near my family at all times.”
The dairy farming industry has faced challenges in decades including droughts and fluctuating supermarket prices. But Dairy Australia said the increased appreciation for local produce had turned profitable and led to huge profits.
Charles McElhone of Dairy Australia said, “There are a number of opportunities where individual producers, companies are really taking advantage of that support and trying to supply Australian consumers who really want to see the Australian livestock industry experience success.”
In addition, they also pave the way for new breeders to enjoy the most important things in their lives.
Wade Johnston says, “I’m just going to focus on my little dairy farm and I’m trying to make things as productive and clean and healthy as possible.” [lj/uh]
