Page 12 - OurStories-2022_Preview

12 | OUR STORY: POCOCK

▲ NEXT STEP: Bruce and Gaylia Pocock have moved
into semi-retirement in recent years, after being
at the helm of Lampata since 1989. Photo: TEGAN
BUCKLEY
FATHER AND SON: Bob and Bruce Pocock are
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pictured with one of their rams in 1988, ahead of
their second annual on-farm sale.

In their blood record, and Robert needed to step up to the Solid foundation
plate.
Robert said he was always going to be a “I came back in 2002 during the Millenium The family’s sheep flock originated from Gum
farmer - he didn’t know how or when - but he Drought to the worst harvest yield we’ve had,” Hill bloodlines, with ties that go back to 1916,
knew that was his destiny. he said. building the foundation of the operation.
Whether that meant managing other “I think Dad was pretty glad I came home In addition to commercial sheep and cropping,
properties or leasing land, he was determined because it was a really low point and staffing the property is also home to a Poll Merino stud,
to do it. was tough. something Bruce started in 1981.
“With Robert, it was pretty obvious to us at a “But the following year in 2003 we saw some In 1987 the family held its first on-property ram
very young age he was going to be a farmer,” of our highest yields and it was a really big eye- sale.
Bruce said. opener for me. “When we started the stud back in 1981 it was
“I’d be out during harvest and after the “It showed not only how bad times can be, but a pretty simple transition,” he said.
school bus had dropped off, I’d see the crop how quickly things can bounce back and how “We just registered the stud and went on doing
moving around in front of me. resilient you have to be as a farmer.” what we were doing, selecting the rams and
“It’d be Robert running through the crop to During his 20 years working on the property, growing them out and selling them - as simple as
get on the header. Robert said he had acquired a wealth of that.
“During shearing he’d be in the shed and knowledge from his father, which he carried with “Before he passed away, my father did a
get duped into dragging lambs out for the him as he moved into the management role. mountain of work with the stud and our flock and
shearers who’d promise him 5 cents a sheep “My parents have gone into semi-retirement he just knew what he was doing.
- he never saw the money but that never now and it’s my turn to push us into the future “We believed sheep are born to be in a
stopped him.” like everyone has before me,” he said. paddock, to live in a paddock, to work in a
After finishing his education, the family farm “They’re pretty big shoes to fill, but I’m more paddock, to produce in a paddock.
was hit with one of the worst droughts on ready than ever to tackle the challenge.” “We’ve done it with objective measurement and
visual traits also.
“We’ve just tried to produce a commercially
RECORD BREAKING: In 2019 the family topped the Lameroo off shears at $326 with a pen of 300, May 2018- viable sheep that people can take home and use
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drop, September-shorn Lines Gumhill-bloods. Pictured is David Daniel, Elders Lameroo/Pinnaroo, Elders Lameroo Immediately.”
branch manager Jarryd Finch, Bruce, Robert and Hugo Pocock, Lampata, Lameroo, Stephen Doecke, Elders Keith, Bruce said they originally tried selling through
Thomas and Courtney Pocock and Luke Sparks.