Winsome’s a primary producer with beef cattle breeding and fattening operations near Dubbo, New South Wales. She shared her story with us.
There’s certainly a sense of achievement in farming, which can be years in the making. Part of why I love what I do is working with livestock, getting to know my property and being outdoors. Farmers have deep knowledge of their property: soils, paddocks, vegetation, livestock. We gain insight and see opportunity. We participate in something bigger—feeding and clothing the world. For example, beef is a nutrient-dense food and people need nutrients to be healthy and survive. I don’t think any other product compares in that way to meat. That’s amazing to be part of the bigger picture.
Agriculture isn’t like any other industry. All farms and farm operations are different. Individual operators like me, family farms and corporate farms are some of the common set ups in Australia. Input costs can be high. Take fencing for example, which requires materials made from steel for longevity and to withstand the elements, and skilled labour with the right equipment to build it. Individual operators and family farms often don’t have the resources or the cash reserves immediately available when the need arises. The same goes for improvement works for soil and vegetation, or when things outside of their control such as a drought or flood, impact farm operations.
I’m no different to any other Australian at the moment in seeing increases in the cost of goods and services. The cost of living will be top of mind for many for the next few years. Some of the biggest challenges in farming are things that I have no control over, for example the weather, the economy, the cattle market and finance market. They are all bigger than me and I have little influence on them.
I first contacted Aussie Helpers during the last drought when I was looking for any kind of help at that time. Aussie Helpers provided wide-ranging support: a simple cup of tea, a smile and friendly ‘hello, how are you going?’, food hampers and water supplies, livestock feed and even fuel cards. It was unbelievable. And it wasn’t so much the dollar value. It was the relief that I didn’t have to reach into my pocket to pay for one more thing that day.
The Aussie Helpers’ depot is a cheerful and welcoming community meeting place. It’s a nice place to go and visit because they always have a smile on their face no matter, and smiles are contagious – even when you’re living day by day and trying to work out what’s coming next.
