Family Farms Thrive as New Generations Innovate

Sam Mackaway knew from childhood that he'd raise his family on the same New South Wales cattle farm where he grew up, continuing a legacy that started 27 years ago.

Now a third-generation farmer with young kids of his own, the Walcha resident is doing something different. He's bringing GPS tractors, working dogs, and a custom farm management app to land his father still works with his eyes and instinct alone.

"My grandfather decided he wasn't ready to retire, and Dad thought, 'I'm going to be 65 by the time you want to retire,'" Mackaway explains. That experience shaped how his family now handles succession, with planning conversations every five years to ensure everyone's voice gets heard.

The story reflects a broader Australian reality. Seven out of 10 businesses in the country are family-owned, with agriculture claiming 25 percent of those workers.

Before returning to the farm, Mackaway trained as an electrician because his parents insisted he gain outside experience first. That electrical knowledge now helps him build and repair equipment, proving their wisdom right.

Across the country in South Australia's McLaren Vale, sixth-generation vintner Corrina Wright understands the weight of legacy. "There's a little bit of pressure in that, because you don't want to be the generation to stuff it up," she says.

Wright's generation transformed Oliver's Taranga Vineyards from a grape-selling operation into a full brand with marketing, social media, and diverse staff beyond tractor drivers. Her daughter already works there one day a week.

The Ripple Effect

These family businesses create stability that extends beyond their own operations. By working together, Mackaway and his wife Laura can pay down expansion debt faster than going solo, while creating employment opportunities that keep rural communities alive.

Wright notes that modern family businesses now need graphic designers, lawyers, and marketing experts alongside traditional farming roles. This diversity means more family members can contribute their unique skills rather than forcing everyone into the same mold.

For both families, legacy means leaving things better than they found them. Mackaway's data tracking will give future generations insights his grandfather never imagined, while Wright's brand expansion ensures the vineyard can support multiple family lines.

The pressure to honor the past while securing the future might feel heavy, but these young business owners are proving that innovation and tradition can grow side by side.