Green explained that the announcement that Murray Goulburn will invest in a new milk processing plant at Smithton was great news for the multi-million development and the Circular Head region.
Green said: “This is a great opportunity for dairy farmers and will provide a huge boost for the region and the broader Tasmanian economy.
“The fact that Murray Goulburn now has a significant stake in the Tasmanian Dairy Products project will give farmers even greater confidence to grow their milk production.”
Green said the latest national survey of farmers by Rabobank Australia found confidence in Tasmania remained buoyant compared to the rest of the nation.
Green added: “Favourable seasonal conditions and commodity prices are cause for optimism with more than half of the farmers surveyed in Tasmania reporting higher incomes over the past three months.
“There are challenges for our agricultural industries like the strong Australian dollar and rising input costs but there is good reason to be positive about the future.”
Green said the new milk processing plant at Smithton together with a $140m redevelopment of National Foods’ cheese factory in Burnie and a major dairy expansion planned by the Van Diemen’s Land Company would ensure the dairy industry remains one of Tasmania’s key economic drivers.
Source: Tasmanian Government
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