Melton, VIC – Well-known Tasmanian stockman Owen Rowlings, who recently opened the doors to his independent artificial insemination reseller business, Tas Livestock, has announced his alliance with Semex.
Based at Longford, minutes from Launceston, Owen (the former Livestock Manager for Elders Tasmania) has drawn on his lifelong affiliation with the industry in the Apple Isle to give its farmers independent industry choices which he believes are sorely needed.
“I just wanted to put some competition into the market for the Tasmanian dairy farmer,” Owen said. “It’s all about independent service and freedom of choice. The dairy industry’s future here is definitely strong and I want to be part of it.”
Tas Livestock’s services include de-horning, freeze branding, semen sales, arm service for artificial insemination, pregnancy scanning, livestock sales and export orders (as a sub-agent for Elders) and NLIS (National Livestock Identification Scheme) tags.
Born and raised on his family’s 180-cow dairy in the north east of Tasmania, the 32-year-old worked with Elders (formerly Webster) for almost 15 years – specialising in Elder’s Livestock International department in recent years.
Semex’s general manager Jim Conroy said Owen’s rock-solid reputation, combined with his extensive industry knowledge and local networks made him a perfect fit.
“We see Owen as a quality individual who has a very good reputation within the livestock industry,” Jim said. “We can also see a value in having an alliance with him. Owen will be supported by myself and Peter Dickson.
“We believe Tasmania is a growth industry and we have traditionally not been content with Semex’s market share here compared to other parts of Australia.”
Jim said there were strong synergies between Tas Livestock and Owen’s former role with Elders – which will give his clients a timely advantage on export orders.
“Because it goes a bit hand in glove, Owen will continue to be a sub-agent for Elders International in the livestock trading business. It naturally gives his clients an additional connection,” Jim said.
Semex has also appointed well-known Tasmanian Lisa Thompson, of Linsand Holsteins, as a part time Area Sales Manager for Tasmania, from May.
Lisa, 29, graduated from the University of Melbourne with a degree in Agricultural Business. She worked as an agribusiness lender for the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria in Gippsland for two years before joining her family’s dairy farm for the last six years. Linsand co-own two former International Dairy Week (IDW) Grand Champion Holsteins (and have managed an IDW Grand Champion Jersey for another breeder). Lisa is also an accomplished dairy judge.
“I’m looking forward to meeting and working with breeders here and I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Semex team,” Lisa said.
“Lisa’s role will be to meet with Tasmanian dairymen, but particularly to strengthen our alliances with our current clients and to promote and introduce our PROMATE program to Tasmania and talk with new clients who value a genetic consultant who can help them with their breeding decisions,” Jim said.
Jim said Semex, Tas Livestock and Lisa would be at AgFest from May 2 to 4 and they were all looking forward to meeting with clients.
AgFest is held at Quercus Rural Youth Park south-west of Launceston.
“We look forward to explaining more fully how this alliance will benefit their business,” Jim said.
For more information, contact Owen on 0448 830 001 – web www.taslivestock.com.au – email [email protected]
Or for more information on Semex, Genetics for Life or our industry-leading sires and programs visit www.semex.com
For additional information please contact:
Jim Conroy, General Manager Semex Pty Ltd
Mobile: Aus + 0418 107 868:
[email protected] • www.semex.com.au