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News
Goat breeder takes
business by horns
KAROLIN MACGREGOR
A NEW venture aimed at developing Tasmania’s goat meat
industry is getting under way
in the state’s North West.
The Tasmanian Premium
Goat Meat enterprise has been
started by long-time breeder
Callan Morse.
Mr Morse said the new business aimed to connect Tasmanian goat breeders with
customers who want to buy
locally produced goat meat.
He said because the Tasmanian industry is largely made up
of producers with small numbers of goats, it to can be dif昀椀cult for them to 昀椀nd markets for
their commercial stock.
“After a number of years of
noticing people coming in and
out of meat goats quite quickly
– within a year or two of them
starting their venture – I’ve
decided to provide an avenue
to make it easier for people to
turn off their slaughter stock,”
he said.
“I’m hearing the main reason people are getting out of
goats and meat goats is because
they’re struggling to market
them and process them.”
The Tasmanian Premium
Goat Meat business will use
local independent abattoirs to
process the goats.
“I’m naming the label up as
Callan Morse has set up his Tasmanian Premium Goat Meat enterprise to boost the supply of goat meat.
Tasmanian Premium Goat Meat
to provide breeders and farmers with
goats in Tasmania, but they don’t have a
I’ve
an avenue to turn off their slaughter
lot so it’s a bit of a collective. It’s based
decided
stock or cull stock, as well as giving
on a model of something similar they
the public a reputable place to go to get
to provide did in Victoria about 15 years ago.”
meat, because that’s equally challengMorse said the increasing interan avenue estMrfrom
consumers who want to buy
ing,” he said.
Mr Morse said prices will vary
directly from producers was also a bento make it
depending on the age of the goats.
e昀椀t for smaller operations.
easier for
“I’ll be offering a price sheet based
“I think there’s de昀椀nitely a space for
people
on the age of animals so milk tooth,
it. I don’t think it’s going to out comtwo tooth, four tooth onwards,” he said.
pete beef or lamb or pork, but there are
CALLAN
“Breeders and producers will be
people out there wanting to breed decent
MORSE
able to contact me if they’ve got stock
meat goats and there are people wanting
to consume them, it’s just there’s a gap
that they would like to sell as slaughter stock or process, or I’ll be able to
in the middle,” he said.
reach out to them. Then I will market
Eventually, Mr Morse said if it is sucMr Morse said the venture would
Mr Morse is now taking meat orders
cessful, he would like to see the venture focus on promoting Boer infused meat for the new venture, with plans to prothe stock independently.”
Mr Morse runs the Sherwood Boer expand to include processing facilities due to the breed’s superior carcass cess the 昀椀rst goats under the new label
Goat stud at Latrobe and while he has in the North and South to assist breeders quality.
later this month. He said the goat cara small number of slaughter stock, sup- and customers in those areas.
He said at present most of the goat casses can be cut up according to cusplying stud animals is his main focus.
Mr Morse is initally trailing the new meat sold in Tasmania does not include tomers’ requirements.
“My game is breeding stock, of business with his own stock to gauge Boer genetics or has been imported
The goats will be processed mid-May
course I do have some slaughter stock the demand for goat meat.
from the mainland.
and the meat will be available for coland cull stock, but my dominant market
“It’s pretty clear the difference lection on about May 20.
“It’s seasonal depending on the ceris breeding stock, yet I’m getting a lot tain festivals and events in the eth- between Boer infused meat, and it
Anyone who would like to order meat
of people coming to me for the meat, so nic communities, but I would say it’s doesn’t have to be full blood stock, or 昀椀nd out more can go to the TasmaI can help to connect the dots,” he said. increasing,” he said. “It’s not just the and the rangeland type meat they pro- nian Premium Goat Meat Facebook
Initially the goats will be processed at meat either, I’ve been approached by duce from feral goats on the mainland,” page or can email taspremiumgoatThe Local Meat Co processing facility people wanting to use other goat prod- he said.
meat@gmail.com or call Mr Morse on
at Claude Road.
ucts for things like dog treats.”
“There are a lot of people with Boer 0407 910 383.
‘
Program
Enables
online
study
A SUCCESSFUL Tasmanian
agricultural leadership program
has undergone a significant
makeover.
The Enable leadership program is a joint initiative of Rural
Business Tasmania and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture,
delivered with funding from the
Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
This year is the 昀椀rst time that
agricultural professionals from
around Australia can enrol in the
four-month program, thanks to
the addition of an online study
option.
Agricultural Systems lecturer
at TIA Dr Saideepa Kumar said
the program is designed for farmers, farm owners and managers,
advisers, and extension of昀椀cers.
“The Enable program is an
opportunity for agricultural professionals to cultivate self-aware
leadership skills and the mindset
required to adapt to the impacts
of a rapidly changing climate,”
Dr Kumar said.
“Climate change is the most
pressing challenge of our time,
and it affects agriculture intimately. We often focus on what
we need to change in farming
systems, but we want to take a
different approach by focussing
on how we as individuals can
adapt and lead in this space.”
The main learnings reported
by 2023 participants include a
greater awareness of leadership
strategies, being aware of their
ability to control or in昀氀uence
change, appreciating difference,
communicating with different
people, and managing staff and
projects.
For Dr Kumar, a highlight of
last year’s program was seeing
participants develop their con昀椀dence and self-awareness to
become conscious leaders.
“At the end of last year’s
program, it came across really
strongly that participants had
developed a better understanding
of themselves and what motivates
others,” she said.
“They had enhanced their ability to lead positively and constructively in their roles.”
Dr Kumar said another highlight is that farmers, business
managers and extension staff
complete the course together and
valuable networks are formed.
She said these networks extend
beyond the course.
More information, including
how to apply, is available on the
RBT website www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/enable
TASMANIAN COUNTRY Friday, April 26, 2024 9