Business planning supports successful shift back to dairying
Rachel and Jason Van Nierop returned their Burekup property to dairying in 2025 - after nearly two decades running beef cattle. The shift marked a significant change in direction - and one the couple did not make lightly.
“With beef, the income is really up and down, it’s seasonal and unpredictable, whereas dairying gives you a regular income right through the year,” Rachel said.
The Burekup property in Western Australia's South-west region was a dairy until the early 2000s, with the shed still standing when the Van Nierops made the switch. Irrigated and dry-land paddocks, as well as a few lease blocks nearby, meant a smoother transition into dairying.
About the foundation of their farm, Rachel said, “The infrastructure was already here, and although it needed some work, it made sense to bring the dairy back to life.”
While the existing farm groundwork supported the changeover, their journey to dairying was not without its own challenges. The Van Nierops faced rebuilding old framework, learning the technical side of herd management and managing the financial demands of the first year – including costs of buying cows, investing in equipment and employing staff.
As Rachel managed the herd, and Jason took charge of pastures and feeding, they planned to build a business that not only supported their family but gave them both the chance to work full-time on the farm.
“The dairy itself needed a lot of work,” says Rachel. ”There’s a lot of money going out in the first year and we knew we had to get to a point where the business could stand on its own two feet.’’
“That’s why we decided to take part in Our Farm, Our Plan – to get a clearer picture of how we were performing and what needed to change.”
Our Farm, Our Plan (OFOP) is part of the targeted training program that supports farmers to improve business planning through the development of long-term goals, identifying and prioritising actions, and managing uncertainty and risk.
The OFOP program gave the Van Nierops the chance to step back from day-to-day operations and look at the bigger picture. For Rachel, that shift in perspective was one of the most valuable outcomes, because it helped her see the farm through a business lens rather than just as a workplace.
“It’s really shown me that the farm has to be run like a business,” she said. “You can be doing a great job with your cows, but if the business isn’t performing, you won’t be able to keep doing it for long. This has helped us see which figures matter most and how to use them to make better decisions.”
Engaging in the program allowed the couple to identify nutrition and pasture management as key areas to focus on.
After a review of their pasture rotation and grazing management, they were also able to make immediate improvements for the small, but growing, herd they had been milking for the last 12 months.
The Van Nierops are strong advocates of Our Farm, Our Plan, believing the training offers genuine value to any dairy business.
“It helps you step back and look at your business with fresh eyes,” Rachel said. “It doesn’t matter if things are going well or if you’re facing challenges, it’s about making sure you’ve got a plan in place. For us, it’s already made a big difference.”
For further details about Our Farm, Our Plan and how it can help enhance your farm business management, reach out to the local Dairy Australia team or visit Business Planning and Risk
This program is delivered by Dairy Australia under contract to Western Dairy, with funding support from the Australian Government and Western Australian Government through the Future Drought Fund and other project partners.