Century Farms — Prosperity built on sheep

Prosperity built on sheep

Meat and wool gave Bridesdale its start as a prosperous family farm.

In 1919, John and Catherine Dillon purchased 253 hectares at RiversdaleArdlussa Road, Southland. They named the property Bridesdale and moved there with their family of five from Waimea Valley. There they had been farming with two of John’s brothers. They continued to work together for a number of years, as they all became established. Sheep were the primary income source, producing meat and wool. Horse teams were used to complete agricultural work, so oats were grown to make into chaff to feed them. Grain crops of wheat and oats were threshed for sale, as was timothy and dogstail. Crops of turnips and rape were grown as a winter supplement. Potatoes were grown for the consumption of the family and employees. The current homestead was built in 1932. Catherine and the children milked cows and sold milk and cream to save the money required to replace the deteriorating home that they initially lived in.

Mechanisation of agricultural work began in 1937 when a Lanz Bulldog was purchased along with spade lugs, discs, a plough and cultivator. With each generation to farm the property, improvements have been made and intensification has seen stock numbers increase, along with greater areas of arable crops being sown. After the death of John in 1963, the farm traded for many years as Est J Dillon with Desmond (Dick), his youngest son, at the helm. Dick was succeeded by his son Richard, who along with wife Judy, bought the farm in 2001. While they have retained a portion, their son James is now farming Bridesdale.

| John and Catherine Dillon.

| Mechanisation arrived in 1937 in the form of a Lanz Bulldog.

| Bridesdale, at Riversdale-Ardlussa Road, Southland.