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David and Emma Nankervis run the family dairy farm Wattle Grove with David's parents Barry and Pam. The farm has been in the family for over five generations and was initially bought in 1918.
Milking 160 Jersey cows, the farm is one of the smallest commercial dairy farms in the area. The Nankervis's are renowned for being 'stubborn buggers' − David's grandfather died just last year at the wonderful age of 103, a testament to the longevity of this family farm and its partnerships.
David explained in depth his understanding of family farming partnerships and the importance of constructive conflict between the partners for the business to prosper.
One of their principle survival techniques as a farm business is to be very efficient and do all of their own work. David and Barry do any building that is often needed with a farm of this size. They maintain all of their machinery and are highly skilled in mechanical work. They maintain all of the complexities within their milking parlour, carry out routine veterinary work and artificially inseminate all of their cows.
Both David and Barry share the milking which lasts for about ten months of the year, allowing each other to holiday away from the farm. Emma, David's wife, a qualified nurse, works as a waitress in Beechworth at nights. The hours of nursing do not fit in with the farm working hours and by working at nights David can then look after their three children, Riley, Darcy and William.
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