More used to being recognised for thoroughbred racing horses at Armidale, David Wishaw was wearing another hat on Wednesday when he was named the state’s top thebaine grower at Tasmanian Alkaloids annual poppy grower awards.
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Mr Wishaw’s mixed farming business on 400 hectares at Carrick produces horses, peas, beans, onions and poppies.
His father, Denis Wishaw, grew poppies at the farm between 2000 and 2005 before his death, and then Mr Wishaw added poppies to the crop mix again in 2008.
Armidale poppies have placed in Tasmanian Alkaloids’ top 10 crops three times, but this is the first win for the farm.
“You don‘t grow crops to win awards, but it’s humbling to be recognised as one of the top growers,” Mr Wishaw said.
While the award will not change the Wishaw’s crop choices, it has encouraged the family to invest in the farm.
“Poppies definitely get preference in our cropping rotation. When you see what you can achieve it’s good,” Mr Wishaw said.
“We might invest in more sub-surface drainage since it was so wet last year. That was one of the reasons we did so well and it’s the one thing that’s given us confidence to grow,” he said.
Mr Wishaw, and top codeine winner Troy Wright from Penguin, each received a $10,000 travel voucher.
“It’s very generous of the company,” Mr Wishaw said.
The Tasmanian Alkaloids annual grower awards presentation was held at Josef Chromy Vineyard with 150 farmers, industry representatives and guests.
Field operations manager Tom Radcliff said the event was an important get together to review the season, celebrate the top performing crops and discuss future developments.
“The past season has been very challenging for growers with new records for high rainfall across the poppy growing regions in Tasmania during winter and spring. It is a credit to the growers and field officers that budget yields and assay were achieved and high quality straw was delivered to the factory,” Mr Radcliff said.
Chief executive Doug Blackaby said the past season had been challenging, but ultimately successful.
“Over the last 12 months Tasmanian Alkaloids has re-engineered the business to ensure that is best placed to meet current and future challenges,” Mr Blackaby said.
“I am confident that our strategy is one that will sustain the business for many years to come,” he said.
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
