'I'm here to make money': why this dairy veteran is now banking on Angus beef
Carlene Farmer, Glengarry, was a dairy farmer for 30 years before she transitioned to Angus cattle. Picture by Bryce EisholdGlengarry grazierCarlene Farmerdidn't let passion dictate her farming strategy when. . .
Carlene Farmer, Glengarry, was a dairy farmer for 30 years before she transitioned to Angus cattle. Picture by Bryce EisholdGlengarry grazierCarlene Farmerdidn't let passion dictate her farming strategy when making the tough decision to exit the dairy industry after three decades. Subscribe now for unlimited accessto all our agricultural newsacross the nationor signup to continue readingAll articles from our website& appThe digital version ofThis Week'sPaperOur entirenetworkAt the peak of her dairy career, Ms Farmer was milking 220 crossbred cows, however, ageing infrastructure and a looming knee replacement forced her to disperse her herd in June 2023. She decided to pivot into commercial beef production, and now runs an Angus herd of cows and calves and steers bought and traded at localstore cattle marketsor sold over the hooks to abattoirs. "Farming beef cattle is a lot like a big ship, it moves slowly, whereas dairy is like having a speedboat, because you never stop and you have live data on hand to judge the job you're doing," she said. "I needed to have my other knee replaced and that's what really sparked the transition to beef. "As much as I loved my cows, there comes a time when you do need to make your life a bit easier. "My staff that I had at the time, who I put a lot of effort into, were moving on and my shed was getting old. "My cows had a long way to walk to the dairy - we have a long, narrow farm to get access to the Latrobe River - and I found the crossbred cattle did the job really well. "I liked the British Friesians, you still ended up with a Friesian-looking animal which gave you that outcross. "When we sold my cows, I had calls from people who bought them asking if I had more to sell and that was a nice compliment. "Carlene Farmer owns and leases several properties in the Glengarry district near Traralgon. Picture by Bryce EisholdSince entering the beef industry, Ms Farmer has invested heavily in genetics from two studs - Hazeldean Angus, Cooma, NSW, and Pathfinder Angus, Gazette. The cow herd was formed using about 50 cows purchased from the dispersal of the Rossander Angus stud, Warrnambool, about a year before she exited dairy completely. The cow base was added to with the purchase of some older cows from Hazeldean earlier this year. "I drive my agent mad because I'm always asking him if the cows are fat," she said. "Everything happens so slow in beef farming when you compare it with dairying. "The biggest lesson Ms Farmer has learnt since she transitioned from dairy to beef is the need to breed "what the market wants" and not necessarily what she is most passionate about. "I love Shorthorn cattle, but the market will pay you less for breeding them," she said. "I'm here to make money . . . but I don't work just for money, I want to have animals that are renowned for being well-bred and that are sought after by buyers. "If someone can make a dollar out of your cattle, they will be looking for them next time. "She still considers dairy farming an ideal prospect, especially for young people looking to break into the industry. "People might like the image of being a beef farmer with a horse and cowboy hat on, but starting in and having a career in dairy is just as rewarding," she said. "In dairy, you often take for granted what you know, but in the beef scene, particularly here in Gippsland, there is a big emphasis on sharing knowledge. "People used to only survive in beef if the farms were handed down through generations . . . and good luck to them if that is the way it is, but becoming a dairy farmer is a great way to crack into the industry. "As it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.