From small beginnings to a cattle and cropping enterprise

Now, with a degree in Farm Management behind him and his wife Shannon and three young boys at his side, he and his family operate their own beef cattle and cropping operation near Roma. 

“We produce wheat, chickpeas and oats for grazing and lease properties that we run cattle on. These cattle are brought back to the oats to be fattened into pasture certified bullocks,” Phil said. 

In the early stages of building his primary production business, Phil turned to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) for a helping hand, taking out a First Start Loan to help expand his business. The loan provided Phil with the assistance he needed to purchase his first breeders.

“It [the First Start Loan] helped us to build up our business with our cattle from which we were then able to purchase our first land next to the property my parents owned.   

“In the last few years we have been able to use equity in our land and along with a bumper chickpea crop to work on succession planning within our family business.” 

Four years down the track and the Crockers now run 200 Brahman cross cows and cross-breed with Simmental bulls creating a hybrid of Simbrah weaners. 

“We keep our steers and then purchase more to run 350 steers all together which then become our pasture certified bullocks.” 

Through QRIDA’s low interest First Start Loan, Phil and Shannon were able to build up their business and expand on it to meet their rural business goals. 

“QRIDA have always been fair and reasonable to deal with. They have no fees and very reasonable interest rates,” he said. 

“We found our bank was more than happy to work with us when we have used QRIDA loans.”  

Like the Crockers, a First Start Loan could help you to establish and build your first primary production enterprise. 

For more information visit QRIDA First Start Loan.