We are contributing $3 million towards upgrades to the Elliott Dairy Research Facility and continuing to support the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) in delivering world-class research, development and extension programs that assist the Tasmanian dairy industry.
The contribution is part of the Tasmanian Government’s co-investment of $5 million with the University of Tasmania towards a $7.7 million upgrade of TIA’s research farms at Elliott and Forthside.
The investment has allowed the facility to convert to a Sustainable, Manageable, Accessible Rural Technologies (SMART) farm, and to begin construction of a new rotary dairy, which I was pleased to launch today with the turning of the sod.
SMARTFarm technologies on display allow farmers to see first-hand how new technologies can help create efficiencies and improve environmental outcomes. The displays also allow farmers, community and researchers to better understand how on-farm modernisation can be adopted to improve management and productivity of cows and pasture, and ultimately profitability.
The TIA Elliott Dairy Research Facility has been the site of important dairy research and development since 1982. Tasmania’s research farms play a crucial role in supporting the Government’s target of sustainably growing the annual farm gate value of Tasmanian agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.
Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
