From City Life to Cattle Producer: Data Makes the Difference

In 2021, Nick and Suzanne Irvine made a bold move, leaving city life behind to embrace a new adventure in North West Victoria. They purchased a 164-acre property with a vision of transforming it into a productive and sustainable beef cattle farm. With no existing infrastructure but a long-term goal of managing up to 300 head of cattle, they turned to Gallagher Norton for a tailored, future-proof animal management solution. Today, the Irvines are reaping the benefits of their decision, experiencing significant improvements in cattle handling efficiency and data-driven decision making.

New Generation

Irvine Farms, owned and operated by Nick and Suzanne, is a testament to their dedication and hard work. Before their arrival, the land was a basic turnout paddock with minimal infrastructure and no structured grazing or pasture management. Drawing from Nick’s family ties to farming and a desire to build something of their own, the Irvines have transformed the property with thoughtful planning and hands-on commitment. They now manage rotational grazing of 140 head, focusing on precision, animal welfare, and long-term growth.

Nick’s father, a long-time Gippsland farmer, recommended Norton handling equipment, part of the Gallagher Animal Management range of solutions, as the best team to meet their needs. From the outset, the Gallagher Norton custom yard specialist worked closely with the Irvines to understand their future herd goals, property layout, and priority for calm, productive, and safer cattle handling. The decision to work with Gallagher was reinforced by their ability to custom design a yard system that aligned with the Irvines’ forward-thinking approach to farming, combining operational efficiency, animal performance, traceability, welfare, and longevity.

Scale, Performance, and Productivity

Starting from scratch, the Irvines faced the challenge of creating a highly functional farm from a blank canvas. With no cattle yards, watering infrastructure, or permanent fencing, they needed a system that could grow with them. A key requirement was a cattle yard system designed not just for daily management but to integrate with a data-driven animal management approach.

Design and Agtech in Action

Gallagher’s collaboration with the Irvines to design a purpose-built yard and deliver supporting agtech solutions included:

The Results

Since the installation, the Irvines have seen impressive operational benefits:

Whether you're starting from scratch or upgrading existing infrastructure, Gallagher can help design a safe, scalable and smart solution for your farming future.