Big business: Tasmanian’s milk production continues to grow. Source: WeeklyTimesNow
TASMANIA is on track to break its annual milk production record thanks to an ideal autumn.
The island state could produce more than 800 million litres this season and top the previous record of about 790 million litres from 2011-12.
Last month, according to Dairy Australia statistics, Tasmanian production was 3 per cent more than this time last year, at 626.5 million.
Production for March was up 16.6 per cent compared to last year, and it followed a rise of 7.9 per cent for February.
All major processors have reported huge production lifts for the second half of the season.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association dairy council chairman Andrew Lester said the season turned around after a slow start.
“The season was really tough early, the spring was cold, a lot of people were behind in production,” he said.
“It shows how good the autumn has been.
“There are a lot of cows milking better than ever due to the excess grass we have growing in the autumn.”
Mr Lester said individual dairy farmers weren’t necessarily concentrating on the states’ milk volume, but the top season, extra production and improved farmgate prices have injected confidence into the sector.
“There will be growth in milk in general over the next few years with a few more conversions bound to happen,” he said.
Processor Tasmanian Dairy Products, partly owned by Murray Goulburn, said it’s up 40 per cent up “day-to-day” compared on last year.
TDP chief executive Tony Catania attributed this lift to the better season, improved farmgate price and new suppliers.
“Could we get up to 800 million? I guess we will just see how the next month or two pans out,” he said.
Fonterra ingredients and operations director Bruce Donnison said its daily volumes in Tasmania had been up about 25 per cent, for this month, compared to last year.
Source: Weekly Times
