The Coles x McCormick
Purchasing a McCormick B-MAX 110 tractor has been a good choice for a farming couple who have soil health at the forefront.
Sustainability and care have been at the forefront for Victorian farmers Alan Cole and his wife, renowned soil scientist Dr Mary Cole, during a lifetime on the land. More than half a century ago, they bought a 24ha former dairy farm near Garfield in Victoria’s West Gippsland region and have followed organic principles and prioritised soil care since.
Both of their efforts have been recognised on a wider scale too, with Alan receiving an Order of Australia medal in 2007 in part for his work with land management organisation Landcare and Mary named Victoria’s 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner for her pioneering work in biological farming and soil microbiology.
Alongside their farming, Mary founded Agpath in 1980 a private soil biology company which provides laboratory testing and consulting services to help farmers optimise soil fertility, enhance crop yields and reduce environmental impact and has accumulated years of research in agricultural related projects.
“For more than 45 years, I have been working to promote biological farming methods that not only sustain the land but also ensure farmers remain financially viable for generations to come,” Mary said last year after winning the AgriFutures award.
“Through education, research, and on-farm application, I have seen firsthand how prioritising soil health can transform agricultural productivity, reduce farmer input costs, and protect the environment.”
Agpath’s mission is to introduce farmers to biological farming with a view towards improving soil health and generating innovative and long-term ideas.
“We undertake soil testing, water testing, and product evaluation, run hands-on workshops on compost and compost tea making and microbial microscope training,” Alan says.
As experienced farm owners with a lifelong passion for protecting the land, any purchase they make has been carefully considered and based around multiple factors. Their decision to acquire a McCormick B-MAX 110 tractor earlier this year which Alan says has left him “proud and satisfied” therefore carries plenty of weight.
Maximum value
For the first 40 years of owning the farm, it was predominantly a cattle operation, before Alan and Mary made the decision to switch to growing fodder and selling organic hay and silage. This meant a new tractor would be required, and Alan who is 89 years old was jokingly told by Mary “don’t spend more than you need to”.
Alan saw some information about McCormick tractors which are distributed in Australia by Clark Equipment and approached his nearest Clark branch in Dandenong where he dealt with sales representative Stephen Bryan.
“I chatted to Alan about options with what he needed for his application and recommended the B-MAX 110,” Stephen says.
“Alan needed a cab machine with horsepower to pull his yeoman plough and the ability to lift an 800kg silage bale."
“The B-MAX 110 ticks all of those boxes and with a 102hp Perkins engine it is the best bang for buck tractor on the market.”
This four-cylinder engine provides plenty of punch in a tractor which McCormick describes as simple, functional and economic. It includes a reverse power shuttle control lever and a new dashboard, along with air-conditioned cabin and air-suspension seat. There is also a 12 x 12 wet clutch power shuttle transmission, two sets of rear hydraulic outlets and two-speed PTO.
On the land
Alan and Mary’s farming mindset differs to many others, with their emphasis on protecting the soil guiding their choice of implements and therefore choice of tractor.
“We have followed organic principles and really care for the soil, such that pasture plant root system is found to one metre in depth,” Alan says.
“Worms abound during rain events, numbering 25-35 per shovel depth and width."
“Growing organic hay and silage for sale, we needed a more versatile tractor, particularly with front end remotes."
“The McCormick B-MAX 110 was selected for its ample power to handle every type of equipment that we use.”
One unique attachment which the B-MAX 110 is paired with is a five-tine Yeoman’s plough, with which soil is aerated up to 50cm depth.
“Using the Yeoman’s plough ensures that every rain event is captured and allowed to percolate freely to a depth where it is not lost to evaporation or run off,” Alan says.
A mulcher, slasher, spray equipment and forage handling equipment for both hay and round bale silage are among the other implements which are used with the tractor. It was finding something suited to these implements along with an additional 20hp over their previous tractor which drew Alan to McCormick’s B-MAX 110.
“This equipment is easily attached, and the B-MAX 110 is adaptable,” he says.
“This McCormick has a comfortable cabin which is keeping me safe from hay particles, dust and spray drift and is also comfortable during either cold or warm weather."
“These are great attributes and I am now a proud and satisfied McCormick B-MAX tractor owner and user.”
The transaction earlier this year was described by Stephen as a great experience, saying he enjoyed learning about the business and farm. With Alan’s experience of the McCormick B-MAX 110 also being positive, both Agpath and the farm remain in good hands.
