Ryan and Brighid Langley with their daughters Hannah, 6, and Peyton, 4.
Ryan and Brighid Langley were recently named Tasmania’s sharefarmers of the year at the Tasmanian Dairy Awards held in June.
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The couple share farm for Circular Head Farms on the Redpa Blue property at Redpa on a 50:50 basis and have just taken on another property next door.
Ryan said it was nice to be recognised and they were proud of their achievement.
“I love cows and growing grass, and when the cows are happy and grazing on good grass, it fills my glass up,” Ryan said.
Ryan and Brighid Langley constantly demonstrate anything is possible through hard work.
Across the two properties the couple now milks 1100 cows, with a minimal staff of just two backpackers, which is currently making life fairly hectic.
The spring calving Jersey cross herd is moving toward pure Jersey.
“We like milking Jerseys,” Ryan said.
“They are well suited to this country because it can come in pretty wet here and the smaller stature helps, and also, I think if I am going to milk cows it might as well be a breed that I love.”
The business operates a pasture-based system, predominately rye-grass with a few winter crops and turnips grown over summer.
The current stocking rate is 3.4 cows to the hectare and the business is moving toward developing more irrigation in the future.
Ryan said he hoped to one day own his own farm, a dream he believes is achievable with hard work and smart decisions.
“My grandfather was a dairy farmer, but he sold the farm when I was one, but it’s all I ever wanted to do, so I guess its in my blood.”
The business is moving the cross breed herd across to pure bred Jersey.
Ryan started off in the industry as a milker, then an apprentice, and worked his way up into managing and then sharefarming.
“Farm ownership is the key, and we have built up our equity over the years, especially with stock ownership — buying into this farm is not out of the picture for us either.”
Ryan said the biggest challenge in the Tasmanian dairy industry was labour.
“We can work with the climate, but it is getting harder and harder to find staff who want to work on a dairy farm.”
TIA dairy development extension officer and judge Symon Jones said the couple was selected on their outstanding performance, not only as sharefarmers, but for also being finalists in the Dairy Business of the Year Award.
“Their achievements as sharefarmers is testimony to what can be achieved through hard work and determination combined with careful planning, farm management skills across all aspects of their business including pasture management, animal health and the environment,” Symon said.
“They are a dynamic young couple who demonstrate that anything is possible through hard work and commitment.”
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