Johnston Bros. Jersey Stud Flood 2025

Hi, I’m Kristy Johnston — daughter of dairy farmer Doug Johnston and niece of Milton Johnston. These two have been milking the same jersey stud since forever (well, since 1942 to be exact), when they inherited it as young boys after losing their dad, Dudley and Uncle — Royce in later years. Doug was 6, Milton was 10 — barely tall enough to reach a cow’s udder, but they stepped up and never looked back.

Fast forward several decades and they’re still out there every day — rain, hail, shine… or more recently: drought (2019), flood (2021), and now whatever 2025 is trying to throw at them. Bills after this flood are growing daily. Vet bills have sky rocketed from not being able to be milked straight after the floods causing mastitis. Hay expenses increased, new fencing…

These blokes don’t complain. Ever. They just keep turning up, boots on, sleeves rolled, hearts in it. After every major disaster, the question comes up — “is it time to throw in the towel?” But they never do. Somehow they scrape through, find a way, and get up the next day to do it all again.

I know times are tough for everyone right now, and asking for help doesn’t come easy. But all the donations are helping so much. (Also, full disclosure: the boys have no idea I’m doing this — they’d just say, “Ahh, we’ll be right.” But honestly… they could use a little right.)

The help they (and I) have received this flood has been incredible. People have really shown up. Especially when I asked for carpet prior to the flood. A huge thank you to Rodney Lattimore, who kindly loaned his dairy — we are beyond grateful. And volunteers have been popping up left, right, and centre — proof that there are still good people out there who want to see this little stud keep walking up the road causing Taree’s finest traffic jam.

Funds will be spent on earthworks, new troughs, pumps, feed, vet bills.

Thanks for reading