Tasmanian dairy conference: Top farmers honoured

BUILDING resilient farming systems was one of the key topics at yesterday’s Tasmanian dairy conference.

BUILDING resilient farming systems was one of the key topics at yesterday’s Tasmanian dairy conference.

About 170 farmers and industry representatives attended the conference in Launceston, which was followed by the annual awards dinner.

Tim and Fiona Salter, who manage Clear Springs Dairy at Meander, were named as the 2019 Tasmanian Dairy Business of the Year.

In the sharefarmer category it was Rushy Lagoon farmers Damien and Brooke Cocker who took home the share dairy farmers of the year award.

The awards were presented by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and DairyTas.

The judging panels for the top two awards included TIA’s dairy extension team leader Lesley Irvine, TIA senior dairy extension officer Symon Jones and last year’s winners, Michael and Rhys Palmer and Wayne and Caroline Saward.

“Tim and Fiona are enthusiastic and always want to know more about their business,” Ms Irvine said. “They’ve really built up hearty pastures and healthy cows.”

The DBOY award honours strong financial performance and management skills.

The Salters have increased the amount of dry pasture harvested at Clear Springs by almost two tonnes per hectare since it was converted from a beef farm three years ago.

Share farmers Damien and Brooke Cocker operate two of the largest dairy farms in Tasmania, dividing their time between spring calving at Cinderella Dairy and autumn calving at Cygnus Dairy.

The share farmer award recognises growth in equity and good management.

In five years at Rushy Lagoon, the Cockers have increased production on both farms by 40 per cent. In 2017-2018, the farms yielded nearly 8 million litres of milk.

“Improved herd, feed and irrigation, along with excellent staff management, have played a major part,” Mr Jones said.

Pineview Dairies won the safety award, Nigel Lee was top employee, Dalmore Dairy top employer, Jeremy Page young farmer, Gary Watson won the environmental award and Peter Tyson the services award. Clear Springs Dairy at Meander will host an industry field day on April 3 at 264 Meander Rd from 10.30am.