So that’s what he and his wife Renee did when a 186 bectare (467 acres) dairy farm with lots of development potential came on the market near them in Framlingham in 2014. 

Despite already having a big mortgage on the 145ha (356 acres) dairy farm they bought at Framlingham in 2008 and dairying going through a difficult period at the time, the couple took on the challenge and a lot more hard work.

That willingness to have a go has been demonstrated not only with their purchase of their second farm but on numerous other occasions in the couple’s journey from workers in other rural industries to having their own dairy farm.

It has also led to them being selected as one of the two finalists in this year Sungold Field Days Rural Achiever of the Year awards. The winner will be announced at the field days on Wednesday. 

The couple came to the south-west from Tasmania where Mr Murfitt had worked in beef and sheep, forestry and dairying. 

Mrs Murfett had been a veterinary nurse and the couple worked on Nullawarre dairy farms before going into two three-year share farming arrangements.

It was a long hard road to get enough equity to attract finance to buy their first Framlingham farm in 2008 but it got even harder when they took on their second farm. 

Refencing the second farm into smaller paddocks and upgrading its pasture has meant the past 18 months were tough, Mr Murfett said.

The couple, who have three young children, milk 230 cows on the 145ha farm and 270 on the 189ha property, doing it with the help on one worker for 12 months before taking on a second. 

Mr Murfett said the couple had learnt more about dairying with every job change.

His advice to those wanting to own a dairy farm was “not to take No for an answer” from financiers. 

He said the couple went to seven financial institutions before getting an encouraging response from two about buying their first farm.