Dan & Gina Duncan
Dairy Farmers
Across four farms and 1,900 cows, Dan and Gina’s system is built on consistency and good advice. In their 14th season, Dan’s clear on what works, with a trusted advisor being a solid part of that. We spoke to Dan more about his farming experience, and relationship with Ballance.
What drew you to farming and Ballance?
“I grew up on a dairy farm but my parents sold it when I was 15. Later on I was a rural property valuer, but there was too much office time and not enough spent outside doing the work. Now I’ve flipped the ratio; 95% out on the farm, 5% behind a desk. It’s a way better fit.”
“It comes down to the right person giving you the right advice. We’ve been working with Marty, our Nutrient Specialist, for the last six seasons, he’s bloody good.”
How does Marty’s advice shape your system?
“We rely solely on his fert recommendations. Our crop success and our pastures needs all stem from Marty’s testing and analysis. He does the science, and we run with it to keep everything at an optimal level.”
“Our system’s pretty straightforward: we’re largely pasture-based, so the more we grow, the more successful our system is.”
How do you define efficiency on your farms?
“There are a whole lot of different efficiencies within each aspect of farming. We’re pushing for efficiencies in time, cost, and feed conversion — turning feed into milk and meat. We adopt what research and our experience has proven to work and stick with it.”
“There’s not a lot of waste or extras. Everything in our system has to prove its worth. For example, we start each season with a blank budget, and everything that goes into it has to earn its place. It keeps the whole system honest.”
