The property was purchased in 1917 from Tom Andrews, by brothers Sydney & Harry Blanch; it was then split into two properties. The portion owned by Sydney, who was David’s great Grandfather became known as “ Lone Pine.”
Aided by his older sons the backbreaking task of clearing the very dense bush into useable farm land began. There was a very small dairy and a hut and on the property where they camped, returning to Craven on horse-back at the weekends. It was on one such typical working day when Grandfather and his boys were out on the back mountain fencing, when suddenly the whistles from the four timber mills at Craven, and the steam trains could be heard blowing. Grandfather with great joy and rejoicing said “the WAR IS OVER” and promptly headed for home.
After his passing his sons Alf & Fred, David’s grandfather, continued with the clearing and improvements. The cows were milked by hand, and our mother recalls making brooms from tea tree branches tied together to sweep the dairy floor. Eventually a larger dairy was built, and progression was made to milking machines run with a diesel engine until the advent of electricity many years later. I recall the day of excitement when the first David Brown tractor was delivered to the property, and from then everything started to change a pace from the horses previously used.
When Errol came to age to leave school, (I seem to remember a note being written to the teacher stating how he only desired to be a farmer and did not need to continue with school, with a note of reply agreeing under the circumstances,) he worked alongside his father and uncle Alf. Gradually the land was cleared and improved to produce some great corn crops and pastures. By 1966 the farmer’s son found a wife in Tamworth and subsequently four children were born. David being the youngest son, and with probably a greater dislike for school than his father, also left school at a “slightly early stage” and so began his farming career.
With an intensely deep sense of gratitude, and respect for the foundations that had been established by the generations before him, David recognizes the importance of the partnership with his parents Errol and Carol, and the responsibility to carry the vision into the next generation. His appreciation for the years of hard work and the contribution of each generation is very evident should you talk with him for a short time.
About five years ago the second half of the original property that was purchased by the Blanch Brothers, came on the market and was purchased by David, once more making it one parcel of land. Consequently this permitted the expansion in cow numbers and pasture paddocks.
With a great foundation, a guiding factor in the direction taken to build the herd to what it is to-day, has been top genetics. Having recognized that genetics were crucial to produce the pinnacle of the Holstein breed, consequently AI has been used on the property for over 40 years. More recently an extensive embryo program has also been established.
There is no substitute for excellence, and sometimes you just have to go the extra mile to get the best, as has been done over the years with some cow purchases. To date Lone Pine hosts 24 Roxy females, with other notable cow families being the Essie’s, and Blackrose, the Queens, Dings, and Sheik. Lone Pine has also been recognized over the years for Holstein Bulls and has a very loyal client base, some being sold nationally and Internationally.
In accordance with “Lone Pine’s” mission statement, “where the world’s finest cow families create generations of excellence” while researching the highest classified cows in the world, one family stood head and shoulders above any other. This being the Beauty Bella’s. Five embryos were purchased from Canada resulting in one bull calf, named Bond 007. With David’s determination not to accept this as a failure, he went back and bought a further 9 embryos from the maternal sister to Bond 007, making this Canada’s only 7 generations of excellence. Having acquired what he originally set out to achieve, Bond 007 is being sold with the entire proceeds being donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
During 2008 an interest was developed for Charolais cattle, and the first females were purchased from Bentley Downs. With some slight arm twisting the Trustum’s were finally persuaded to part with their “old girl’ Natalie and she now resides peacefully at Lone Pine, along with Snowdrop and seven heifers. Also acquired were Fernvale Kate and Palgrove Maxine who is a maternal sister to the highest priced cow ever sold in Australia.
With a clear vision, and tenacious enthusiasm, David continues to “look outside the square” and is constantly looking for opportunities to improve and press forward. One thing remains, it has been long hours and years of hard work from David and Errol that has made “Lone Pine’’ into the picture that it now is.
