AS the Limestone Coast continues a “golden run” of agriculture, producers are looking to expand their enterprises with concrete confidence in the region.
Survey results released this month by Rabobank suggest more than 90pc of farmers in the region are confident in the industry’s future and look to either increase or maintain their investment.
These sentiments have been echoed by primary producers Dale and Adam Price.
The father-son duo operate Majardah, a stud with 800 poll dorset and 200 white suffolk sheep and another 3500 commercial sheep.
Started in 1972, the operation has expanded to owning and leasing just shy of 2000 acres of land in the region.
With a bumper year for prime lamb producers, the pair are looking to continue the success over the next 12 months.
“Some of us here have aspirations to stay the size we are and other wants to grow bigger,” Dale joked.
“But either way we know there is the stability and ability in agriculture around the South East so we are confident in whatever move we make next.
“This season we have seen really good prices for prime lamb which we believe will hold steady into next year.
“The prime lamb industry has done a lot to maintain its high-quality reputation and with the many advancements we have seen in the industry and agriculture, I see it going from strength to strength in the future.”
Although other farming areas across the nation have struggled with widespread drought, the Limestone Coast’s reputation as a “drought-proof” region has been cemented with more than 400mm of rain recorded at the Mount Gambier Airport during the winter months.
This “guaranteed” rainfall and cool climate makes for a desirable area to grow agricultural roots, according to Dale.
“All we have down here is a bit of seasonal variation,” he said.
“We are always guaranteed to get good rain and have good seasons which makes for reliable farming.
“This is shown by not only having a thriving prime lamb industry, but beef and dairying as well.
“All sectors of the industry have a solid standing in the region and are backbones of our community.”
South East stock agent Dale Keatley agreed with these sentiments and stated he had seen keen interest in farmers from other areas looking to pick up land in the Limestone Coast.
“There is so much competition for rural land in the South East at the moment,” Mr Keatley said.
“We are seeing a lot of the bigger companies buying up land at every opportunity because it is in such high demand.
“Farmers from further north are also looking for land around the region so they can move their stock to a more reliable region.
“Overall I think it just cements us as a solid region for farming and although we have always known that, it is becoming more evident to outsiders.”
