Dairy in Tasmania
Heading Introduction Dairy in Tasmania is the largest agricultural industry with an estimated annual value of $350 million, this equates to more than 30% of Tasmania’s Agricultural output. The industry grows about 2.5% approx per year. The long term goal is to grow production by additional 350m litres of milk per year in the next 5 years. Increase cow numbers by 40,000 to over 200,000 cows in the state. Tasmania has the suitable land and water resources in traditional dairy areas and from new emerging areas (Midlands, Derwent Valley) to help produce the extra milk. The 4 main milk processors have invested in more capacity and now you as the farmer have their opportunity. Fonterra, Tasmania Dairy Products Co ltd, Cadbury and Lion. Source: Dairy Tas
Heading Introduction THE TASMANIAN DAIRY INDUSTRY NEEDS YOU
Heading Tasmania’s Dairy Industry • Last year there were 3950 farmers of all description in Tasmania. • Only 1065 farmers had a turnover in excess of $200,000. Of those, 437 (41%) were dairy farmers. • In 2013-14 the average Tasmanian dairy farmer will turn over between $1M - $1.2M.
Heading Tasmania’s Dairy Profile Tasmania facts (2013-2014) Dairy herds 437 Tasmanian Dairy Industry Total cows 160,000 Milk production 790 ML Employs 1500 on farm (2500 indirectly) On farm gate $420 M Herd size 360 Lts per cow 4,940 Av. farm area (ha) 186 Seasonal calving 64% spring 30% split 6% all yr
Heading Tasmanian’s Dairy Profile Milk processing contribution (12-13 estimated) Milk Companies Products Contribution (%) Fonterra Milk powder, 54 cheese, whey powder and butter TDP Milk powder 19 Lion Fresh milk, cheese, 16.5 butter and cream Cadbury Chocolates products 9.5 Other Cheese, cream 1 bottled milk
Heading Tasmanian’s Dairy Profile 450 60.0% Milk products 11-12 yr 5% 400 0.4% 9% 50.0% 350 Fresh milk 10% 300 40.0% Cheese 250 MLs 30.0% 200 Powder % 150 20.0% Chocolate 32% 100 44% 10.0% 50 UHT 0 0.0% Fonterra Lion Cadbury TDP Other Other
Heading Tasmania’s Dairy Profile Tasmanian milk • 10% for drinking • 5% products consumed in Tasmania • 35% products consumed in the rest of Australia • 50% exported overseas
Heading Dairy Conversion - Project Management Good planning and knowledge of Dairy farming will help deliver good outcomes. You need to know what it will cost, what allowance for contingencies is required and when product will be available.
Heading Points of interest regarding setting up Dairy Conversion Get in touch with Dairy Tas. Discuss the conversion program. How much land will be required, and do I have the irrigation to do it. How many cows do you want to milk? What sought of Cowshed will I need. (Herringbone shed or a Rotary). How hands on to I want to be, employ staff or engage a share farmer.
Heading The Conversion Pastures, planning of the pasture system and its timing are critical to the farm having feed ready to go at the start of calving. Shed sighting, planning of where the cowshed will be on the farm is important. Things to consider are the distance that cows will have walk. (Aim for the middle of the farm) cows that have walk to far are using energy that should be put into producing milk. Along with cowshed sighting elevation needs to be also considered. Elevation is needed for Shed drainage, effluent you don’t want to be pumping it twice. Lane ways need to wide 6m plus in width for good cow flow, and must have a good base with drainage. The KISS principal,( Keep it simple stupid), should observed. Don’t let the costs run away at the start because you are going to have enough to do when the cows start calving.
Heading Other Dairy Services Opportunities Agistment • Backgrounding of younger stock / growing out of heifers • Wintering of dairy cows Grain • Local demand for dairy farmers in excess of 150,000 tonnes pa Fodder • Hay • Silage • Lucerne • Straw / bedding / fibre
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