Everyone could use a neighbour like Dan Ferguson. Dan is a beef farmer whose family has lived just outside of Warkworth since the late 1800’s.
He’s a cow-calf producer with a herd of 50 animals that are bred annually to produce calves. These cow-calf pairs are raised on pasture that has seen a lot of changes since his great great granddaddy’s day.
Dan’s ancestors established Centre Oak Farms back when cows were farmed for milk and meat, and they’ve had cows on the farm ever since.
Ferguson told us that he works to be a good caretaker of the land and the animals on it. Dan told us that everyday starts with a list of things that need to be done, but you have to be able to juggle priorities, especially if something unexpected comes up, like a sick animal. He told us his favourite time of the day are mornings when everything is fresh and new with a whole day ahead of you to take on the work that is never in short supply.
Dan told us that farming is definitely not for the faint of heart, especially with his work off the farm calling him away.
Ferguson told us that technology is something that continues to help out on the farm. From tractors with updated emission control systems to online systems that track the cows he breeds and sells.
Being a jack of all trades is a must when it comes to running a farm. You need to be a equal parts mechanic, plumber, electrician, veterinarian, ecologist, nutritionist, carpenter, mason, as well as farmer.
We spoke to Dan while he was salting and checking his herd who were pasturing in an area not too far from his main buildings. Ferguson told us a little bit about the calls we could heard from mother to calf.
Currently the 6th, 7th, and 8th generation are all living together but Dan told us he’s been working on a retirement home for he and his wife on the family property. When asked what it would take to get into the farming game, Dan told us you’d need at least a million dollars to get started, or have a farm in the family. Either way, it’s a big commitment.
“The end of the day – isn’t always the best. You try veg, chill-out, relax and get your head out of the game but you’re always thinking about what you didn’t get done and what you’ve got to do the next day, but early in the morning the day’s a whole new, you know, landscape and you can hopefully accomplish everything you need to.”
Written by Joseph Goden
