TFGA welcomes dairy growth initiative

Tasmania’s peak farming organisation, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, says today’s launch of a new dairy industry development program to produce more milk for processors is further proof that agriculture has the potential to lead the state into better economic times.

Premier Lara Giddings launched the program at the Bill and Jill Chilvers’ property Oakdene near Perth where they are converting a traditional dryland grazing operation to dairying.

The dairy industry has been working with processors, government and industry suppliers to increase production across the state to meet increased demand.

“In simple terms, we have to produce 40 per cent more milk over the next three to five years and to do that we have to convert more properties like Oakdene to dairying,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said today.

“The Chilvers have been working with the multi-award winning duo of Grant and Kim Archer to diversify into dairying while still maintaining dryland crops, sheep and fodder production. Rob and Jo Bradley have been involved in similar changes at Cressy.

“This is the future,” Ms Davis said. “By diversifying you reduce risk and you are able to respond much more rapidly to changes in market conditions.

“The irrigation roll-out is helping farmers make these changes,” Ms Davis said.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis