DAIRYTAS and Dairy Australia have chosen their Tasmanian Dairy Focus Farm, for the next two years.
Limberlost, a 780 cow farm on the Tamar River at Kayena managed by Peter and Jo Jones, has been chosen as one of several, around Australia.
Limberlost is owned by three equity partners and has been operating as a dairy for seven years, while the Jones have been managing it for the past two years.
Focus Farms were about demonstrating sound decision making processes through transparently monitoring the farms financial and physical performance, DairyTas chief executive Mark Smith said.
“By using a commercial dairy farm that is facing real decisions that are common to other dairy farms the focus farm project plans to assist other farms through demonstrating sound decision making in all aspects of dairy farming,” Mr Smith said.
While using the project to improve the farm business, Peter and Jo will also be looking at the direction their own business is to take over the next two years and beyond.
“Assisting Peter and Jo to reach their farming goals is important,” Mr Smith said.
“This project is about showcasing good decision making and this gives us a fantastic opportunity to look closely at a business and how they go about making good decisions to improve it.”
A support team had been set up, headed by experienced dairy consultant Andrew Wright and including younger consultant Sandra Bennett and a group of experienced farmers and industry members.
“For us the project is about ensuring that we have the right system in place that allows us to have our desired lifestyle while still farming profitably and sustainably,” said Peter Jones.
Mr Wright would work with the Jones to help identify areas the business could improve on, as well as what they were doing well.
The focus farm support group would consist of farmers that are selected by Peter and Jo and will provide input into farm decisions.
Support group members would be invited to be part of the first meeting in December and then meet regularly over the next two years.
The Jones path over the next two years would be tracked and there would be regular field days where the farm would be opened up for those interested to visit.