What started out as a home dairy farm in 1990 has been transformed into one of the largest producers in the Southern Riverina.

It is Ray and wife Leanne’s passion and focus to create a self sustaining, value-adding, intergenerational business that will continue to grow and evolve long after they have hung up their gumboots.

“The dairy is now about 80 per cent self sufficient,” Ray said. “Our 12,000 acres is predominantly crop that is valueadded back through the cows and milk we produce.”

The Smith Family Farm is one of Riverina Fresh’s largest local milk producers.

“We have a really great bond with Riverina Fresh. They support us, and we support them,” Ray said. “It is great to be able to farm locally, produce locally, and be supported locally through such a great local brand.

“We are proud every time we see the Riverina Fresh brand in the local shops and supermarkets.”

The Smith Family Farm has about 1800 cows, mainly Friesian-Holsteins, and there are plans to continue to grow naturally through a focused breeding program.

“In order to grow you need to be flexible, open to changes in technology, and have the support of your family,” Ray said. That’s certainly the case with Ray and Leanne, who operate the farm with help from three sons, a daughter and 15 grandchildren.

For Riverina Fresh, the partnership with local dairy farmers remains at the heart of its business. “Everything we do starts with our farmers,” Riverina Fresh Executive Chairman, Craig Shapiro said. “We’re fortunate to work with dedicated dairy farming families across the Riverina who care deeply about producing quality milk.”

“Being locally sourced isn’t just part of our story - it’s who we are. The milk we process comes from farms in our region, and that connection to local farmers is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

For more than 100 years, Riverina Fresh has been part of the Riverina community, working alongside local farmers to deliver fresh dairy products to households, cafés and businesses across Australia.

This article was originally published in the Deniliquin Pastoral Times Paddock to Plate magazine and is reproduced with permission.