History
DairyTas Board was established by the local dairy industry and the Dairy Research and Development Corporation (DRDC) in 1996. (The DRDC was amalgamated with the ADC in July 2003 to form Dairy Australia.)
The Board is one of eight regional development programs for the dairy industry around Australia. It is responsible for setting, implementing and reviewing research, demonstration and extension priorities within the Tasmanian dairy industry.
Dairy Australia currently funds the Board's operating costs and some of its projects.
Board Membership
The Board consists of eight (8) members. It is the strong preference of industry and Dairy Australia that the make-up of the board be farmer-dominated.
Board members are appointed for a three-year term. The Board's constitution provides that no member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Current Board members are:
- Bob Bush - Dairy farmer, Scottsdale (Chairman)
- Rhys Palmer - Dairy farmer, Sisters Creek (Deputy)
- Paul Bennett, Dairy Farmer, Elizabeth Town
- Cheryl McCartie, Ringarooma
- James Langley, Smithton
- Peter Tyson - Tas Institute of Agricultural Research Dairy Centre
- Norm Frampton - Dairy farmer, Tas Farmers and Graziers Association Dairy Council
- Nicola Morris (VDL Company) - Smithton
- Mark Smith - Burnie (EO and Public Officer)
- Maryann Hortle - Moriarty (Admin)
Aim and Roles
The Board's prime aim is to facilitate 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, Milk Companies, Agribusiness Companies, NRM Regional Organisations and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Dairy Council (TFGA).
Small Project Grants
DairyTas Board provides funds for small project grants each year. Grant can be applied for up to $10,000 for projects and activities that support the industries strategic priorities and that will provide an industry benefit in Tasmania or help solve a local problem. Guidelines and application forms are provided in the attached documents.
Issues for 2006-2010
Priority areas identified for development and investment by the Board over the next five years are based on the Industry Strategic Plan developed in 2002 and then reviewed and updated in 2006.
This plan identifies 5 main action areas to move the industry forward. These being:
- Human resources skill development
- Natural resource management
- Business and finance
- Animal health and welfare
- Animal and feedbase performance
Action Groups operate under each of these areas...
The 2006-2010 Strategic Plan provides the industry with a focus for directing its resources across priority areas and to access support for the development and growth of Tasmania's dairy industry.
