«There are better ways to make money» is the harsh lesson children raised on dairy farms are learning this year.
Patrick Roberts, 16, and his brother Austen, aged 18, are growing up on a dairy farm in north-west Tasmania as the industry battles a milk price crisis.
The brothers are willing to put in extra hours on-farm and are even making a documentary about the collapse in milk prices to educate their school mates.
But neither brother sees a future in dairying.
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«Our dad has always drilled into us that if you don’t listen to the teacher at school that you’ll turn out like him: a dairy farmer,» Patrick said.
Despite enjoying milking cows and the strategic thinking involved in running a dairy, Austen is unequivocal in his rejection of dairying as a career.
«Absolutely not. No way!» he said.
«Farming, especially dairy farming is just not my cup of tea. It always fluctuates. In my view there are certainly better ways to make money.»
More time ‘helping dad on the farm’
Austen and Patrick are both in high school and, like most kids on farms, juggle their study around helping out on the property.
The drop in milk returns has meant even more work on the farm for the brothers.
«Even though [mum and dad] haven’t said it to us directly I think Patrick and I both feel that we have an added level of responsibility,» said Austen Roberts.
«We do what we can.
«Patrick’s very good with tractors and irrigation. I prefer to milk the cows in the dairy.»
Austen is in Year 12 and wants to study medicine next year.
«I do a few shifts every week. That gives me a lot of free-time in the middle of the day to do my study.
«I think that having a farm, being able to go and do things and having that balance, really helps with school,» Austen said.
«I reckon it adds a level of maturity certainly conducive to study and good results.»
Student dairy crisis documentary
two boys in paddock filming a dairy farmer
Patrick is working with a group of classmates on a documentary to explore the effect of the milk price drop.
He is interviewing dairy farm owners and share farmers and is trying to get in contact with major processors in Tasmania for the project.
Patrick said many of his classmates were unaware of the extent of the situation.
«Going to school in Burnie my school mates are mostly people from the city who really have no idea of what’s really going on.
«Hopefully we can educate some of these people about what is actually going on and encourage them to buy Australian dairy products,» Patrick said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/dairy-brothers-dreams-lie-elsewhere/7636892
