Page 18 - OurStories-2022_Preview

18 | OUR STORY: AFFORD

“I came home in 1987 when I was about 21 and
have worked with my parents in partnership since
then,” Steven said.
“I took over the book work when I was 25 and
it’s just been ongoing.”
Steven said the hardest time he has had on the
farm was when the River Murray ran dry in 2007
and the drought crippled most dairyfarmers in the
area.
“We sold all but 34 of our cows,” he said.
“I knew if I could still rock up and milk then a
dollar would still come in and we would be alright.
“Greg was working on the Jervois ferry at the
time so he was happy to continue working there
until it could be built up again.”
But luckily, this particular tough time did not last
too long.
“It only lasted around six months when Steven
suggested, with the milk prices so good, why
didn’t we get more cows?” Bob said.
“So we bought 20 from one place and 20 more
from another and we went on from there.”
Steven said it probably took about five years to
get back into full production but by then the river ▲ WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: At Gloria and Bob’s 40th wedding anniversary were Tegan, Michelle, Steven, Courtney,
was back to its full production. Gloria, Bob, Jack, Greg, Barbara and Sam.
“To actually hang in there and survive it was a
big success to keep it on going,” he said.
Greg was also able to come back to his full-time
role on the property with his wife Barbara and two
children, Jack and Sam, who were living on the Breeding champions But his daughters, Courtney and Tegan, are
Brinkley property. actively involved in the show ring.
Tragically Sam died about eight years ago. While breeding cows the farm has always been Earlier this year both completed at the Sydney
Jack is now 28 and works as a mechanic off- a business, it has also been a passion for the Royal Show in the national dairy handlers classes
farm with a child of his own. Afford family. after winning at a state show level - both coming
“Working on the farm is just what we do,” Greg The Billabong Holstein stud was first formed away with major ribbons.
said. while they were still at Wandearah in 1949, Steven said his daughter showing cows was
“We just always work together and that's just making its debut at the Royal Adelaide Show in definitely a highlight for him.
been the way it is. 1952. “We had an international dairy week champion
“It works so why hassle people to change it. Bob said showing cows gave him a warm fuzzy here five or six years ago,” he said.
“Being with the family and doing our own thing feeling. “I am proud of what they've done - they have
is the best thing about our farm.” “I loved showing,” he said. picked up champions and plenty of firsts over the
“Willow Bend LuLu Queen second was my first years.”
champion cow. The years of dedicated breeding decisions have
“I have shown at the Royal Adelaide Show for also paid off.
over 60 years - even in the years I wasn't sure I In order to receive a Holstein Australia Master
could get there, we hired someone to milk for us Breeder Award, the stud must have registered
while I went with a handful of cows. at least 300 cows across a 20-year period - a
“My cows were special to me and showing significant achievement.
them was an outlet.” The Afford family will receive their second Master
Bob became a patron of the Holstein Australia Breeder Award later this year.
SA Branch committee after 30 years of service, Generational ties
and also spent time as a member of the
Registered Dairy Cattle Association for about Michelle said the farm wouldn’t be where it is
three decades. today if it wasn’t for Steven and Greg putting in
Gloria has been the dairy cattle convenor at the hard work with the support of Bob.
Murray Bridge show since 1986. “All the sheds and infrastructure on the farm, the
Her other interest is the SA Country Women’s men put together,” she said.
Association, which she has been affiliated with for “They built it all themselves instead of paying
25 years. someone to do it.”
While Steven and Greg have spent time in the Bob said they bought all the sheds from
show ring, the major passion for it might have Olympic, which even resulted in them being in an
▲ FIRST CHAMPION: Willow Bend Lulu Queen 2nd skipped a generation. advertisement for the company.
was a favourite of Bob Afford. “I grew up with showing but I tried to keep the Courtney and Tegan work off of the farm, just
HAVING FUN: Courtney and Tegan Afford enjoy farm going so Mum and Dad could show cows - like their father and uncle Greg did when they
▲
each other's company in the ring and around the it’s not really for me,” Steven said. were their age, while still being involved in the
yards.

▲ FLOURISHING FEED: Greg Afford, Brinkley, sows the pasture crops for the cows.