A family affair

Alex and Florence Dunlop settled in Cowra in the Central West early last century and made their home at “Badgery”.

In years to come their three grandsons would hold the key to continuing the Dunlop farming legacy and make roots along the banks of the Lachlan River.

One of their grandsons Jim Dunlop, now 80, lives in the original homestead after taking the reigns from his parents, Ron and Una.

About “12 miles up the river”, east of Cowra, Jim now owns and operates Badgery Poll Dorset stud with the help of his nephew Christopher.

They now run 3000 Merino sheep and 160 Poll Dorset rams on 1052 hectares.

By the time he was 15-years-old Jim was working full time on the family property.

Looking back, he is humbled that this year marks 100 years “Badgery” wool had been sold through the local Landmark (formerly Dalgety’s) agency.

“There have been some tough years but it’s a lifestyle and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.

Old-fashioned farming and a love of stock is the secret to Jim’s success.

“I don’t use Lambplan or recorded figures – if you have a good eye and rely on the look of the sheep you’ll end up with a better product.”

This year new plans are in place for “Badgery”.

“I’m thinking about retiring soon and handing the reigns over to the nephews,” Jim said.

“I’ll stay in the homestead where I’ve always been but the young ones can take over.”

Just a stone’s throw away lives Jim’s twin, Jack at “Lower Neila”, who runs a mixed-farming operation with his son John.

But the youngest of the Dunlop clan stems from the eldest brother, Bill, at “Keloside”.

His son Jamie at “Wynola”, is now witnessing his children carry on the farming legacy.

“Ben’s now 22 and he’s been working on the farm with me since he left school,” Jamie said.

“My older brother, Chris, works for Jim on “Badgery” so we’re all very connected and we all help each other out.”

Ben is now taking the reigns of the cropping operation on his grandfather’s property, “Keloside”, after Jamie’s other brother David tragically died of cancer.

“Farming was something my brothers and I always wanted to do and we worked for it, and that’s where we all ended up,” Jamie said.

“With the three of us it allowed us to buy other ground and build the farm up from there.

“We bought our land through the family and we were fortunate in that we had the help of our parents.”

Jamie now runs 2500 crossbreds and 1500 Merino ewes, and in his 18 years on the land has seen farming change dramatically.

“I’m working with my sons now and watching my dad still on the farm, and I just notice things have got easier with technology mainly,” Jamie said.

“When I was their (his sons) age front end loaders on tractors and that sort of thing were all new but now the machinery is so advanced.”

Jamie and his wife Angie also have four other children – Kristie, Joe, Brittany and Will.

“They all take part on the farm and lend a hand,” Jamie said.

“It’s something we do as a job and also as a family and they were raised loving it.”