Tasmanian dairy farmers are being recognised for their excellence in business management, with six farms in the running for major categories as part of the 2020 Tasmanian Dairy Awards.
The awards are organised by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), and finalists are decided based on key performance indicators that are recorded through TIA's free benchmarking program.
"Each year we offer a free benchmarking program to Tasmanian dairy businesses to help them make confident and effective farm management decisions that will benefit them into the future," TIA dairy extension team leader Lesley Irvine said.
"During the 2018-19 season, the program received participation from 31 dairy farms around the state," she said.
"We work closely with businesses to measure financial and physical information such as costs (per cow, per hectare and per kilogram of milk solids), milk and feed production, labour efficiency and pasture utilisation."
Ms Irvine said the finalists in the Tasmanian Dairy Business Awards were excellent examples of farmers that were effectively managing all aspects of their business to achieve strong financial performance.
The 2020 ANZ Dairy Business of the Year Award finalists are:
- Active Dairies Pty Ltd, Bracknell, owned by Grant and Kim Archer.
- Dalmore Dairy, Dairy Plains, managed by Luke Davey-Baldock.
- Rosemount, Cressy, managed by James Greenacre.
The 2020 Fonterra Share Dairy Farmer entrants are:
- Craig and Zoe Waterhouse, Marrawah.
- Genaro and Rosselyn Velasquez, Edith Creek.
- Marcus and Simone Haywood, Ringarooma.
Ms Irvine said the Share Dairy Farmer Award aimed to highlight how farmers could use share farming as a career pathway to build wealth.
The award participants are judged on their financial performance, alongside their skills in people, pasture and herd management.
DairyTas Executive Officer, Jonathan Price said: "The Tasmanian Dairy Awards provide the ideal platform to promote the exceptional performers from within this dynamic industry.
"Tasmanian dairy farmers are leading the way in these key areas, which is fuelling confidence, investment and opportunities."
Five other awards (organised by DairyTas) will be presented as part of the Tasmanian Dairy Awards:
- Dairy Farm Safety Award, sponsored by Rex James Stockfeed,
- Dairy Environmental Award, sponsored by Veolia,
- Young Farmer of the Year Award, sponsored by Cadbury,
- Employer of Choice Award, sponsored by Aurora,
- Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by Fonterra.
Winners of the 2020 Tasmanian Dairy Awards will be announced at the Tasmanian Dairy Awards Dinner, to be held in Devonport on March 19.
More information about the conference and awards dinner is available at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/dairytas.
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