Long days, unpredictable seasons and plenty of hard work — dairy farming isn’t easy. But for Newry farmers Megan and Nathan Grumley, building a life on the land is a dream worth chasing and one made more productive thanks to our modernisation project.
For Megan, farming was always part of the plan.
“I grew up on a sheep and cropping farm about an hour north of Bendigo, so agriculture has always been in my blood,” she said.
That early connection to the land eventually led her to Newry, where she met her husband, Nathan. The couple began their life together working in Maffra while slowly working toward a shared dream — owning and running their own dairy farm.
Today, that dream is a reality.
The Grumleys now milk around 380 cows across 500 acres of home and leased land, supplying milk to Lactalis while raising their three children on the farm. It’s a busy operation supported by four part-time milkers, with Megan working three days a week — mostly weekends — in the dairy.
Nathan keeps the rest of the operation running.
“He’s incredible,” Megan said. “Nathan is our only full-time farm worker and does everything else. He works seven days a week and often puts in more than 80 hours a week.”
Modern irrigation making a difference
In 2023, the Grumleys’ property was part of the Newry Pipeline Modernisation Project — a change that has transformed how they irrigate their farm.
Before the upgrade, watering some paddocks could take up to eight hours. Now the same paddocks can be irrigated in under an hour.
“About 70 percent of the farm is now under a pipe and riser system and we hope to expand that as our finances allow,” Megan said.
The benefits have been significant. The gravity-fed design means water now flows directly to the farm without the need for pumps, cutting electricity costs dramatically.
“This season alone we’ve saved around 65 per cent on electricity because we’re not running pumps — the water just flows out.”
The improved water delivery has also allowed the family to accelerate pasture renovation across the property over the past year, helping boost productivity and improve pasture quality.
At the same time, the Grumleys have shifted their calving system from a traditional split season to four calving periods throughout the year — helping create a flatter milk supply and a more efficient farm operation.
“As young farmers, we’re working hard to reduce debt, build equity and create a sustainable future — not just for our family, but hopefully for the generations to come,” Megan said.
Planting for the future
The Grumleys’ vision for the farm extends beyond productivity.
Just before the pipeline project began in 2023, the family launched a tree planting program driven by Nathan’s passion for land stewardship and regenerative agriculture.
So far, they’ve planted more than 2,000 trees across the property — many of which are already thriving at six metres tall.
Their next goal is to establish extensive plantings along Newry Creek, which borders one of their paddocks and provides habitat for native plants and wildlife.
“We’re hoping our efforts will help conserve the creek and its environment for the long term,” Megan said.
Shelter belts have also been planted across parts of the property to protect livestock from extreme weather conditions.
“They reduce heat stress on hot days and protect cows from cold winds, which improves herd health and milk production.”
Ultimately, Megan says caring for the land and their animals is at the heart of everything they do.
“The welfare of our herd and the health of our land is what we live for.”
The value of secure water
For the Grumleys, reliable water is the foundation that makes everything else possible.
“The peace of mind that secure water gives us is invaluable,” Megan said. “It even makes conversations with the bank easier when you need a loan.”
Water delivered from Lake Glenmaggie through the well-managed irrigation system allows the family to plan their farming year with confidence.
“The system means we know what water we have each year and we can get it delivered when we need it.”
That certainty allows them to grow the summer and autumn fodder crops needed to feed their herd through the cooler months — avoiding the risk of expensive hay and silage purchases during dry seasons.
Looking ahead
Despite the long days and unpredictable seasons, Megan remains optimistic about the future of dairy farming.
“I’m very optimistic about farming,” she said.
“If you’re passionate and willing to learn, there are so many amazing mentors in this industry who will give you opportunities.”
While farmers can’t control the weather, Megan believes mindset is everything.
“You can’t control everything that happens, but you can control your attitude — and that makes all the difference.”
For young people considering a future in agriculture, her advice is simple:
“Keep going, keep learning and stay open to whatever’s around the corner. There’s so much potential in this industry for young people who want to have a go.”