After years of early mornings, clinking buckets and the unmistakable sound of contented cows in the shed, Dale and Paula Fortescue of Eungelladale Dairy have made the bittersweet decision to bid farewell to milk production.
The much-loved Eungella dairy, nestled in the picturesque Pioneer Valley, will soon transition into beef cattle production – a change driven by the mounting pressures facing dairy farmers across Queensland and the nation.
“This decision hasn’t come lightly,” Dale shared.
“Like many others in the industry, we’ve felt the weight of ongoing challenges. Closures of processing plants, rising input costs, and farm shutdowns have made it increasingly difficult to remain sustainable.”
Feed and land costs in particular have continued to rise, squeezing already tight margins. But while the milk may stop flowing, the heart of Eungelladale will keep beating, just in a different rhythm.
Paula, who has long braved the chill of pre-dawn starts, may find a new rhythm of her own without the 3am wake-ups, though she and Dale remain as committed to the land as ever.
“We’re passionate about farming,” Paula said.
“This next chapter will see us focus on beef cattle, and while it’s a big shift, it’s one we’re hopeful about.”
The Eungelladale journey has been supported by an extraordinary network of people, and the Fortescues were quick to express their heartfelt thanks. Loyal customers, who chose Eungelladale milk time and again, played a central role in the farm’s story. A community-led GoFundMe campaign also helped the dairy weather tough times, feeding their herd when things looked most uncertain.
“To everyone who contributed — your generosity meant the world,” Dale said.
The Fortescues also paid tribute to their tight-knit team — especially Paula, Mattie, and extended family — who gave their all through rain, heat and the relentless demands of dairy life.
“And to our children and extended family,” Paula added, “your love and support have kept us going. We are beyond grateful.”
As Eungelladale Dairy turns the page on one chapter and opens another, the legacy of care, connection and community remains strong. The cows may be quieter now, but the paddocks will still be full of purpose.
From one herd to another, the Fortescues are moving forward with hope — and a whole lot of gratitude.
From their family to yours: thank you for being part of the journey.
The first frost of the year settled over Eungelladale on May 21, marking a symbolic end to the dairy chapter. Photo source: Eungelladale Dairy (Facebook)
Dale Fortescue at home in the milking shed, where countless early mornings were spent tending to his herd
One of Eungelladale’s beloved dairy cows, a gentle reminder of the care and commitment behind every bottle
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