Helping the next gen’s journey towards farm ownership

Parenting three children aged six, four and two can be a challenge. Add to that milking 1,150 cows twice a day, running a farm business, while transitioning to farm ownership.

Yet it’s a situation that Co-op sharemilkers Braden and Brigitte (Biddy) Barnes take in their stride.

The Canterbury-based Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award-winners are on track to buy a dairy farm. Their dream of transitioning from 50/50 sharemilking to ownership has been helped along by the award’s prize package, which includes a $1 million loan facility fixed at 1% per year for three years, along with $20,000 of Farm Source account credit, and mentoring support from Fonterra.

Both say they were destined to be farmers, although they came into the industry from different pathways.

“Braden was born and raised on a dairy farm in the Manawatu, so it was in his blood and something he always knew he wanted to do. I was an equine veterinary nurse, and worked overseas for a bit but realised I’d always wanted to go farming,” Biddy says.

“So, I moved back to New Zealand and got a job on a dairy farm, which was the same farm that Braden was working on. We ultimately decided we wanted to go contract milking together. So that’s where our business started. We contract-milked for five years together before we got our 50/50 sharemilking job, which led us to this farm that we’re on now in Oxford, and we’re now looking to buy our first dairy farm.”

Braden says farming has offered them a wonderful lifestyle and career progression.

“I love the dairy industry and love being a farmer. Just working with the animals, working outdoors, and the rural lifestyle. It offers an excellent progression pathway. You can go from entry level right through to 50/50 and farmer ownership. It’s providing a great future for us and our family. We love bringing the kids up on the farm,” he says.

The couple has been part of the Co-op from the outset of their farming careers. They have grown professionally with the Co-op’s support and mentorship from a range of rural professionals, including Farm Source’s various support teams, farm advisors, accountants, and other farmers.

“Even as junior farm employees, we’ve always felt a strong connection with the Co-op. We’ve always been valued just as we would if we were a shareholder, and we’ve had opportunities to learn and grow, and connect throughout that time,” Biddy says.

“The digital tools offer great information for day-to-day operations of the farm, and the events that the Co-op hosts, such as the Next Gen Co-op programme and Beyond the Farm Gate conferences, have been insightful and valuable, creating more connections.

The mentoring from the Co-op has really helped us. We have wonderful advisors.”

The Co-op is part of the couple’s future farming plans.

“Every farm we’ve worked on has been a Fonterra supplier. So it’s just like the natural fit,” says Braden.

“Being part of the Co-op means security and being well looked after. We understand how the Co-op operates. They process the majority of New Zealand’s milk, and with that kind of scale, we’ve got a lot of confidence in their future,” says Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award-winner Braden Barnes.

We understand how the Co-op operates. It processes the majority of New Zealand’s milk, and with that kind of scale, we’ve got a lot of confidence in its future,” says Braden.

“The First Farm Award has removed some pretty big hurdles to farm ownership. The option to hold 33% of the shares makes the pathway achievable. It lowers that initial capital hurdle and allows us to focus on building equity and moving forward sustainably.” 

Biddy says the award is a vote of confidence in their vision, work ethic, and long-term commitment to the industry.

“One thing we’ve learned over our farming career is the importance of having a great village of people around to help you on your journey. We’re always learning and evolving, and are lucky to have an incredible team of advisors and staff who back us. We’re excited for the next 12 months and are looking forward to working with our mentors.”