David Dale’s 40-year career as a dairy farmer is grounded in both tradition and a love for the land.
Growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Drouin, purchased by his parents in 1964, David fell in love with farm life early on. But before committing fully to the farm, he followed a legacy of craftsmanship passed down from his father and grandfather, both builders, and took on a building apprenticeship.
“I always loved woodworking and construction, but I knew I’d come back to the farm eventually,” David said.
That time came in his early 20s, but the skills he gained as a builder have remained invaluable.
“Mum and Dad wanted me to have a trade before I returned to the farm, and it’s paid off. Whether it’s building, welding, plumbing or fixing machinery, those skills make farming more profitable.”
David’s skills in farming started early. “I’ve been driving tractors since I was tall enough to reach the pedals,” he said. “Back then, there were no cabs or rollover frames! Harvest time was my favourite, and it still is.”
In 1994, the family decided to sell their original farm and considered moving into beef farming. “We couldn’t find a beef property that could support two families, so we bought another dairy farm nearby,” David explained. “That was 29 years ago, and I’m still milking.”
Over the years, David and his wife Marita have transformed their property. “We built a new dairy, workshop, shedding and a lane system, and we renovated the homestead,” David said.
Today, they run 130 cows together, though their four children have chosen different paths. “They’ve all grown up and aren’t interested in farming, but I still love it,” he said.
“Feeding the cows, sileage, hay, summer crops, tractor work – there’s nothing boring about dairy farming. Either something goes wrong, or something goes right; every day is different.”
Challenges are part of the job, particularly as dryland farmers without irrigation. “We’re at the mercy of the weather,” David said.
“The key is planning for the worst and hoping for the best. We’re always balancing farm gate income with production costs. But I truly believe this is the best place in the world for what we do. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
David has been a Milk Supply Partner with Burra Foods for two decades and speaks highly of the support his family receives. “We chose Burra because they look after their farmers. When I had a quad bike accident and was hospitalised in Melbourne, they went above and beyond to help Marita and the kids until I recovered.
He noted that, over the years, Burra has continued to be approachable, reliable and pay on time. “Burra is great to deal with,” he said. “I can’t speak highly enough of them.”
