Future ready farming in Tasmania

Richie Heazlewood is investing for a strong farming future

Sixth generation on his family’s Tasmanian property, Richie Heazlewood intends on an equally enduring and prosperous future and is redefining their operation thanks to a modernised approach.

Running a mixed cropping and livestock operation in the Whitemore region, 35-year-old Richie returned to the farm almost ten years ago armed with fresh insights and enthusiasm after five years studying and working in New Zealand.

“New Zealand agriculture is possibly the closest comparison to what we have here in Tasmania, so I dedicated a few years over there, studying at Lincoln University, then working.”

What he thought may be a one-year adventure turned into five, and he’s grateful for the breadth of knowledge and experiences his time in New Zealand afforded.

“The farm I worked on was a cropping and lamb finishing property, and the efficiencies were incredible, it was almost factory farming it was so streamlined – I took in as much as I could as inspiration for our own family operation.”

Since returning home to work with his parents, Bramwell and Prue, the family has purchased an additional 200 hectares to complement their existing 500 hectare property “Melton Vale”.

With the new block mainly suited to livestock with a small area of cropping, it’s a strategy that will enable the Heazlewoods to consolidate and expand their cropping enterprise back on their home property.

Growing a diverse range of crops, including grass seed, clover seed, seed canola, and chicory seed, as well as beans, peas, onions, poppies and pyrethrum, Richie plants around 250 hectares per year, with most under pivot irrigation.
 

The Heazlewoods grow a range of crops

Since his return home much of his attention has been on improving water-use efficiency, investing in one new pivot annually.

“We’re able to monitor our water-use more effectively and it’s enabled us to better utilise our staff. We no longer need to run all over the farm irrigating all day, I can now set all the irrigation from my phone.”

Admitting he doesn’t share his father’s enthusiasm for the family’s Poll Dorset Stud, this year the Heazlewoods will close the chapter on their 60-year-old Poll Dorset Stud.

“We’ll sell 200 Poll Dorset rams this year, which will mark our final stud sale,” Richie explains. “We’re on a quest to simplify our system and while dad loved the stud, I don’t share his passion, and you really do have to love it considering the work required to gain the results you need from a stud.” 

Instead, Richie is turning his focus to their 2,500 commercial ewes, and finishing prime lambs.

“My aim for the enterprise is to keep it straightforward and streamlined – it’s easy to get distracted here in Tassie. At the end of the day I’d prefer to narrow my focus, keep it simple and do what we’re doing well.”
 

Richie is excited for the future of their historic operation

This includes continually improving irrigation across the two properties, increasing their stock numbers, namely their ewes, and continuing to increase their cropping area on their home block thanks to their recent expansion.

And while his parents are still actively involved on-farm, Richie is grateful for the relationship he shares with his father, and the autonomy this affords.

“Thankfully Dad and I work together really well, he’s been open to all my ideas, and has supported this new direction for the farm and I think we’re all really excited for the future.”

And with his wife Chloe expecting their first child this year, there’ll soon be a seventh generation on farm to share in this future.

Rabobank relationship an asset

Working closely with his Rabobank rural manager, Helene Gunn out of the Launceston branch, Richie says it’s a relationship, and friendship, he values highly.

“Helene was brilliant when it came to the purchase of our new block, she went over all the forward projections, budgets and various financial scenarios with us, and made what was quite a daunting process very streamlined – she was a very handy asset to have in our corner.”

Having attended a number of Rabobank events over the years, Richie believes the bank’s focus on knowledge and networks is also well worthwhile.
 

Richie and his Rabobank manager, Helene Gunn

“It’s always good to get off-farm and mix with other farmers from across the region, with the added bonus of RaboResearch analysts providing their take on how local and global markets could impact us on-farm – you always come home with plenty of insights that can help with decision-making.”

Youth and enthusiasm driving Tasmanian ag

As a next-gen Tasmanian farmer, Richie is in good company, with “so many young people returning to the region”.

“There’s plenty of youth and enthusiasm, and a real thirst for expansion and improvement – Tasmanian agriculture has a really positive story.”

Seasonal challenges remain, however, with their water security considered 95 percent reliable, production is minimally affected in dryer seasons.

“We rely on scheme water that runs down from the highlands, with water piped to a storage dam, and the assurity of that water is the reason we’ve been able to grow our business.”

“Thankfully we have undertaken a considerable investment in the Tasmanian Irrigation (TI) schemes that have been developed in our area.”

“With limited water sources on-farm we’re dependent on these TI water schemes, and they have enabled us to get where we are today.”

“We’re in a terrific region, perfect for cropping and sheep production and I’m grateful to be working with my parents, wife and the soon-to-be next generation in a farm business that has so much family history – it’s a great place to be.”

Richie and Helene on the Heazelwood family’s historic operation