Owen and Lynda are 5th generation land managers who run a 1200 hectare timber and cattle operation. Their property consists of over 1000 hectares of native forest which is managed to produce saw logs and poles. Assisting and encouraging natural forest regeneration is an important part of the longevity of the family’s business operation.The Thompsons have been active participants in the promotion of sustainable native forestry practices to the wider farming community for many years. Their property has hosted numerous forestry themed field days and is currently the site of tree growth plots and experiments being conducted by Private Forestry Southern Qld.
Like many Australian land owners they have encountered issues with dryland salinity on their grazing lands which they have mitigated successfully with natural forest regrowth.
The Thompsons were nominated for the TFYA by Dale and Meyers of Maryborough who are one of the saw millers they supply to. It is especially pleasing to see this level of respect and cooperation between processor and producer.
As the Qld winners Owen & Lynda will now go on to represent their state at the AFG National TFYA which will be judged over the next 2 months and announced at the AFG Biennial Conference being held in Mount Gambier, South Australia on 12th October 2010.
AFG would like to thank Ergon Energy for sponsoring this year’s Qld Awards and hope that their support can become a long term part of their involvement in the Sustainable Pole Supply Project which they have initiated to help guarantee their future supplies of timber power poles for their electricity network.
