The large farm is actually six contiguous units, running a herd of 5,500 dairy cows. It was bought in 1984 and Bruce came into the business with his parents in 2000. Like many other dairy farmers, they've been with Fonterra since its inception.
Our family set the business was set up for succession based around shares in Fonterra from early on, he says. Several farm trusts were set up, which will be extended out to his kids in due course.
"My father Robin works on the farm every day - he's still looking after all the development side of things. Our whole family lives and breathes co-operatives, I suppose. That's what we're into."
"It's pretty cool, especially last year when it was just my sons and my father and me doing silage between Christmas and New Year, because everyone else was away. It was a pretty cool feeling. That's the opportunity that comes with supplying Fonterra."
It's the long-term view that Fonterra takes, and the length of time it has been established, that makes it align so well with his farming operation and plans for succession, he says.
The family has always had strong ties to the Co-op with his father being an active industry member as a director in the early companies before Fonterra was formed.
"When you look at a 20-year-old's world now, the ability for farming is pretty sound. It gives them a real base to work from and Fonterra is a big part of that. There is always going to be a market for the product and the support they need from the Co-operative Services Area Manager. It just feels like a bigger family to us."
Bruce spent years as a Co-op networker and has done Fonterra's governance course, which has been a massive help in guiding his own business. The family have an independent advisory board that works alongside them, which meets three times a year to look at any issues and opportunities in the business.
"It's a big business, it can't be run from the kitchen table. You need an independent view of what's going on. Governance is a massive part of it."
The advisory board makes use of information from the Fonterra Farm Insights Report, particularly around greenhouse gasses, nitrogen use and animal welfare, which helps provide a snapshot of what their business looks like.
He's also used his governance skills to support the wider farming fraternity. "It's absolutely about learning a skillset and then taking it back to your community groups, your local boards or fellow farming boards. Once you finish that course you are really challenged to go and add value back into your community."
Bruce and his team of managers and sharemilkers like to speak with the Co-op's milk quality experts, who come out once a year or so to sit down with them and go through the Milk Efficiency report. "If there's a problem we will use them to support us with food quality advice. So they've been very good."
Because the family has grown their business from being part of the Co-op, he's incredibly proud to be part of it. "We've grown a business that's 5,500 cows and we've been able to do that because every day our milk is being picked up and processed. We've never had to worry about it, so that is the strength of the Co-operative."
Success starts with your farm.
If you’d like to talk to us about your relationship with Fonterra, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to your local Co-operative Services Area Manager.
Or if you’re considering joining Fonterra, organise a catch-up with one of our team.