AGRITAS COMMUNITY DAIRY PROGRAMS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL SAPUTO SUPPORT

4 October 2023

North-West Tasmania’s dairy industry will continue to grow, thanks to Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) renewing its partnership with Agritas and Duck River Meadows Dairy, an Agritas facility which gives visitors opportunities to learn about the dairy industry and dairy’s role in a nutritious diet.

SDA has provided $10,000 through its Building Strong Communities program, funding community open days and a school visitation program. The partnership extension is supporting delivery of an upcoming Community Open Day on 7 October at Duck River Meadows Dairy.

More than 600 tourists and locals have attended two previous community open days.

Through Agritas’ school visitation program, more than 200 students have witnessed cow milkings at a robotic dairy, discovered a museum and tasted local artisan cheese since November, with six regional primary and secondary schools touring Duck River Meadows Dairy.

Going forward, SDA funding will also enable Agritas to create dairy teaching resources for Grades 3 through to 8 that can be recognised and used as part of the Australian school curriculum.

Agritas Chairman, Graeme Pretty said “We are grateful for SDA’s support to help us showcase our world-class facility at no cost to locals and tourists alike.

“Providing free access to students is particularly important, as they leave with an appreciation of the unique experience of robotic milking and stronger knowledge and enthusiasm for the dairy industry.”

SDA has a strong dairy processing footprint in Australia and remains committed to fostering a resilient and sustainable dairy industry for the long-term.

Paul Davies, SDA Regional Operations Manager, said “We are pleased to extend our valued partnership with Agritas and Duck River Meadows Dairy to educate our current and next generation of dairy farmers and cheese lovers, while holistically promoting the dairy industry.”

“We’re proud to invest in local community dairy education initiatives that are helping to ensure the sustainability of Tasmania’s dairy industry,” Mr Davies said.

About Agritas Training College Pty Ltd

Agritas is a community-based not for profit organisation that has developed a training college, Duck River Meadows Dairy, La Cantara Cheese factory and the new Duck River Pavilions, incorporating the Smithton Visitor Centre, Circular Head Heritage Centre and Café. The training college is leased to the Circular Head Study Hub, which provides a wide range of training delivery to business and community alike.

About Duck River Meadows Robotic Dairy

Agritas has established the Duck River Meadows Dairy, with support from the Commonwealth Government and Greenham Tasmania, to celebrate the noble cause of dairying in the Circular Head region. With over 45% of the state’s milk production coming from Circular Head, visitors to the area have demonstrated a long-held desire to see cows being milked. The Robotic Dairy showcases world-leading technology and allows visitors to get as close as two metres from cows that voluntarily milk themselves three times per day. The dairy operates as a semi-commercial operation, along with high value La Cantara cheeses being produced on site.