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• Migrant's Stories
  • Alastair and Leslie Macdonald
  • Chris and Suzanne Cowley
  • Marcel and Emma Leifhebber
  • Michael and Cheryl Hughes
  • Ashley Ker
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  • Matthew and Pippa Gunningham
  • Ralph and Louise Heathcote
  • Herman and Suskia van luloff Umbgrove
  • Jon and Caroline van Adrichem
• Doing Business

Ralph and Louise Heathcote

Originally from New Zealand, when Ralph and Louise Heathcote were given the opportunity to sharemilk at Brittons Swamp in north west Tasmania they jumped at the chance.

Fourteen years later, they are still full of praise for Tasmania and are running a successful dairy business.

"We'd spent one year working on a farm in Tasmania in 1988 and really enjoyed our time here," Ralph says. "So we were very keen to look further into this sharemilking opportunity. We liked what we saw and moved here in 1991."

They sharefarmed on a 30 per cent agreement until 1994, when they moved to a 50 per cent agreement. For ten years they worked hard, increasing their stock numbers from 170 cows and 40 young stock to 390 cows, 100 yearlings and 100 calves, as well as improving the quality and quantity of the machinery owned by the farm.

During this time, they also purchased 143 acres in partnership with the farm's owner. In 2005 they increased their share in the farm, purchasing half of the farm under a lease purchase arrangement. On completion of the lease purchase they will have the option to buy the rest of the farm.

"Coming to Tasmania has definitely enabled us to move to a position where farm ownership is a reality rather than a dream - and we're already half way there!" Ralph says.

"As we all know, land value here in Tasmania is much lower than in New Zealand and, hence, the return from land is much higher. There are also many more opportunities to sharefarm here."

However, the Heathcotes have faced some challenges.

"Dealing with financial institutions in Tasmania has been a greater challenge than in New Zealand," Ralph says. "The banks here are generally less willing to lend money against cows.

"Labour is seen as a challenging area as well. Finding quality, hard-working labour has been a tough job."

But the benefits have far outweighed the negatives, especially when it comes to lifestyle.

"As well as providing us with the opportunity to one day own our own farm, it has given us the chance to give our children excellent schooling and to bring them up in a crime-free environment," Louise says.

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