29/07/2026
Brothers Cody and Rory Baker recently purchased their first farm through Country & Co. Have a read about their back story, buying experience and tips.
Backstory
Cody worked as a plumber and roofer for 16 years. Rory worked as a general farm worker and tractor driver, and also spent a couple of years overseas working on various harvest and seeding operations.
Current Farm Setup
We currently have:
280 R1 heifers grazing.
43 dairy cows over winter.
65 R1 beef calves.
A firewood operation that provides valuable off-farm income.
We also lease additional land where we run 550 ewes and trade lambs over winter.
Three Tips for First Farm Buyers
1. Work to Your Strengths
Cody and I are both practical and hardworking people, so we've always played to our strengths. We started a firewood business where the harder we work, the greater the reward. It has become an excellent source of off-farm income and has played a big part in helping us grow.
2. Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Diversification has been incredibly valuable as we've worked to grow our business and build equity. Before starting the firewood operation, I did casual tractor driving while we leased a few small blocks. The income from those leased farms was reinvested into growing our ewe flock, while the casual work covered our living costs and occasionally provided extra funds for the farm. Farming comes with plenty of hidden costs, so having multiple income streams has made managing our finances much easier.
3. Be Patient
Success doesn't happen overnight, and that's something we've learned along the way. Everyone's situation is different, and while some opportunities require taking a leap into the deep end, we've chosen to gradually build our livestock numbers and plant without living beyond our means. We made the most of every opportunity that came our way, and over time those small steps helped us achieve farm ownership.
The Buying Process:
The buying process was certainly a busy and stressful time. At the same time we were purchasing the farm, Cody and I were selling three properties, with settlements taking place the day before our purchase. Cody and his wife, Amanda, were also selling their home.
Despite the pressure, everyone involved remained calm and professional, which made a huge difference. Having a great team around us including our lawyer, bank manager, accountant, and real estate agent was instrumental in making the whole process come together.
