Introduction to DairyTas
DairyTas is the Tasmanian service delivery arm of Dairy Australia, investing farmer levies and other funds to support the Tasmanian Dairy Industry.
DairyTas' main aim is to identify, prioritise, promote, facilitate and leverage opportunities for research, development and extension activities in the Tasmanian dairy industry which will assist dairy farmers to manage change.
Further to this the DairyTas Board seeks to encourage the development of a sustainable, vigorous and dynamic dairy industry in Tasmania that offers economic and social rewards to dairy farmers and those in the wider community.
The Board's roles are to:
- encourage ideas and adopt a rigorous process for identifying and prioritising the needs of grass roots farmers
- identify underlying problems which such needs reflect
- resource projects, co-ordinate funding and commission projects to address these needs
- monitor and evaluate project performance to ensure there are genuine outcomes
- act as a broker for innovative projects
- attract funding to leverage the pool of available resources
- provide local input to national forums
- provide feedback to farmers, industry service providers, Dairy Australia and other stakeholders
DairyTas adopts a wider role in the Tasmanian dairy industry to add value to its programs by co-operating with other stakeholders such as the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) Dairy Centre, NRM Regional Organsiations, State Government, industry consultants and agribusiness and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Dairy Council (TFGA).
The Board's main roles relate to research, development, extension and skills development. Marketing and political activities are not part of its charter.
DairyTas Board members are:
- Bob Bush - Dairy farmer, Scottsdale (Chairman)
- Rhys Palmer - Dairy farmer, Sisters Creek
- Peter Tyson - Tas Institute of Agricultural Research Dairy Centre
- Paul Bennett, Dairy Farmer, Elizabeth Town
- Alison Finlayson - Dairy farmer, Togari
- Daryl Quilliam - Roberts Ltd
- Norm Frampton - Dairy farmer, Tas Farmers and Graziers Association Dairy Council
The Board's Executive Officer is Mark Smith.
