Four daughters and one dream. On the farm, that means a very full house, lots of teamwork but also tough discussions when it comes to the future. We are so lucky to have Karen Penfold and her eldest daughter Bonnie with us today for a live episode recording at the National Farmers Federation 2023 National Conference in Canberra. This mum and daughter have travelled all the way from Western Queensland to be with us today. Before any of us had ever heard of Wuhan – the Penfolds were exporting branded beef directly there. It has been a bumpy road along the way with a few twists and turns – thank you both for being here to share your story.
- Bonnie shares the values and the driving force behind Four Daughters Beef.
- What stands out about Karen and Dan's family farm is having four daughters - Bonnie a teacher, Molly an accountant, Jemima and Matilda who is in aviation.
- Raising beef on their 40 000 ha operation at Old Bombine and Mamaree located near Meandarra QLD.
- Karen and Dan see their daughters as an asset to their family farm.
- A chance meeting at a bar, led to the first box of beef being exported to Wuhan China, in 2019.
- Travelling to Wuhan, to see how the beef production is different to Australia and, how they could work together.
- The learning curves and challenges of exporting beef to China and, if exporting has been worth it for Karen and Dan.
- This export relationship happened just before the world changed forever during COVID and, the pivot to delivering Pink Beef Boxes locally.
- The week to week running of the farm and how the daughters manage their jobs at the same time as the family farm.
- The passion Karen has for the industry is clear and each daughter has that same passion for the land and beef.
- Bonnie shares why this is the career for her and what she loves most about life on the land.
- The most unexpected thing to happen along the way.
- The most common misconception about working and living on the land.
- The Ultimate dream for the future of Four Daughters Beef.
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
Links:
Angie Asimus
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Four Daughters Beef
Follow @fourdaughtersbeef on Instagram
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