Joe Bradley saves future of Dayboro’s last dairy farm with QRIDA

Forty-five kilometres north of Brisbane, the small town of Dayboro was once a thriving dairy hub, but as dry conditions and low milk prices set in, dairy farmers quit the industry, leaving all but one.

Joe Bradley grew up watching and mirroring his parents on their dairy farm and has since dedicated his life’s work to the farm business. When conditions turned in recent years, he was determined to keep four generations of family legacy alive.

“It’s been tough to survive getting low milk prices, and we’ve also been hit by drought, floods – you name it, and we’ve copped it, but we’ve managed to stay in farming,” Joe said.

Joe’s unwavering resilience is now paying off, with the producer, who is also the president of dairy advocacy group eastAUSmilk, enjoying increased milk prices as the dairy industry bounces back.

“I am positive about the future of the dairy industry. Prices have improved and yes so have input costs, but all in all I’m confident about what’s to come,” Joe said.

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The positive market outlook has given Joe the confidence to purchase the family farm he’s been managing for more than 30 years with the help of a First Start Loan from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

“I wanted to keep dairying and I am lucky enough that my daughter and two sons-in-law wanted to keep the business going as well,” Joe said.

“I just love working with animals and being able to supply quality dairy products for the consumer.”

Now Joe is focused on growing the family business, and ensuring his community of Dayboro has a resilient dairy operation to outlast the good and bad times.

“My goals are to pay off the debt from the First Start Loan and to own my property outright,” Joe said.

“I also want to improve the quality of cattle in our herd and continue building a positive relationship with our regional Queensland milk processor.”

Joe said QRIDA Regional Area Manager for South East Queensland Brian Coe helped him complete his First Start Loan application.

“Brian contacted me, and we went through it all together. He has visited my farm a few times and helped me work through some questions I had about the loan initially which was very, very helpful,” Joe said.

“I would recommend QRIDA to other farmers. QRIDA is only a phone call away and the support they can provide producers with is invaluable.”

Brian said now is the perfect time for dairy farmers to invest in their operation to ensure they remain on top of their game.

“QRIDA’s First Start Loans of up to $2 million can help dairy farmers get started in the industry and rationalise family partnerships,” Brian said.

“You could also use QRIDA’s First Start Loans and Sustainability Loans to invest in new dairy equipment and machinery, property development works, improve fodder storage facilities, build your dairy cattle herd and purchase additional land, and more.”

For more information about how QRIDA’s First Start Loans could help you establish your primary production business or take over the family farm, visit QRIDA's First Start Loan page or call 1800 623 946.