New industry organisation Potatoes Tasmania established

New grower-led potato industry group Potatoes Tasmania has appointed former agronomist Rob Salmon as general manager and his first month on the job has been a busy one.

As the potato harvest ramps up growers are relieved to have an official voice dedicated to enhancing the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the industry.

Branxholm grower John Casswell represents the Simplot Productivity Group on the board and has welcomed Rob’s enthusiasm and skills into the role.

“We realised that there was an opportunity to be more involved in supporting the development of the industry and overcome any segmentation,” Mr Casswell said.

“Members pay a fee, but every dollar we put in is doubled by the support of processors Simplot and McCain and the seed growers, with fresh growers also engaged in supporting the organisation.”

There are around 200 scaled commercial producers in Tasmania supplying potatoes to the frozen food market, fresh food market and seed suppliers, and each segment has its own committee with Potatoes Tasmania to determine where funds raised are directed, with one member from each committee elected to the board.

Mr Salmon has been concentrating on getting the organisation set up and applying good process and governance to make sure committees are functioning well and collaborations are happening with other organisations like TasFarmers, which handles local price negotiations and AusVeg, which lobbies government and manages industry research and development.

“I’m looking at how we can develop sustainability strategies; improve education and training for new entrants into the potato industry; support research that will combat potato diseases; and make the most of the skills that already exist in our midst,” he said.

“Late last year we really fast-tracked our formation so we could work closely with the State Government during the Mop-Top incursion, which was always going to challenge productivity.

“As an organisation we were able to support Biosecurity Tasmania to get through that and although there’s still an impact on trade our croppers have not been impacted too much.”

Mr Casswell said it’s important that when growers and processors put their hard-earned money into Potatoes Tasmania there is good engagement and everyone feels involved and invested.

“We want to build this really capable organisation that’s really going to be an asset for the Tasmanian potato industry,” he said.

“We want to really get some runs on the board early and show that we’re here to meet the industry head-on and we encourage more growers to become involved, so we see continued growth and attract new investment.” 

The Potatoes Tasmania head office is at 22 Brisbane St, Launceston and Rob can be contacted on 0487 081 913.