McCoy’s Story.
“Some days it’s hard to get out of bed when everything you’ve
worked for feels like it’s slipping away.”
How have the tough farming conditions been affecting your business this year?
“I grew up on a family farm in Paruna, so farming has always been in my blood. At 23, I decided to give it a real go. It’s been nothing but blood, sweat and tears to try and make it work. I sold my house in Loxton just to buy a small farm home, Beth and I started out share-farming, and we’ve now got 15,000 acres, running stock.
Why do I keep at it? I love the work. I love being out there. There’s something about the achievement, and I especially love doing it alongside my kids - it feels like we’re building something for them.
This year has been one of the toughest. We had no proper rain until June, so we were forced to sew the crops dry. The wind’s been the real killer — multiple days of 50km+ winds stripping the crops bare. We’ve run out of hay and grain, and yet the sheep still need feeding. The bank account gets emptier while the bills keep piling up. Some days, it’s hard to get out of bed when everything you’ve worked for feels like it’s slipping away.
What impact do these challenges have on your business, LOXTON, and what lies ahead?
When farming struggles, the impact doesn’t stop at the farm gate. If we’re tightening our belts, so are our suppliers, contractors, mechanics and local businesses. Cash flow only comes in when we trade stock, shear, or sell grain — and when that’s limited, everything slows down for the whole town.”
But on the flip side, you do see the community pulling together. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the only one battling it. We’re all in it together, sharing advice, lending a hand, keeping each other going. That’s one of the good things about farming communities — they don’t let you fall alone.”
What I’d like people outside of farming to understand is that when farming fortunes are down, whole towns like Loxton feel it. It’s not just farmers; it’s schools, shops, footy clubs, everyone.
Looking ahead, I’m hopeful, but realistic. We need a bit of breathing space - financially and mentally. Interest rates are high, and sometimes it feels like we’re just treading water. Still, there’s always a will and a way to make things happen. If I could give advice to younger farmers, I’d say: don’t give up. You shouldn’t have to do it all by yourself, and what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”
McCoy Patterson
Farmer
Pata, Riverland
