Red Meat Updates annual conference: Sarah Clark, the Back Run

Posted 03 July 2023

PFT are proud sponsors of the Red Meat Updates Industry Innovator speaker, Sarah Clark of the Back Run. The Red Meat Updates conference will be held on 28 July 2023 at the Tramsheds, Launceston.

Sarah, together with husband Tom and their three young children farm The Back Run in the upper Derwent Valley. The Back Run includes properties at Westerway and Ellendale; they produce fat lambs, Angus cattle and in recent years have incorporated agroforestry.
Sarah grew up in the Huon Valley and after completing her Bachelor of Agricultural Science at University of Tasmania moved to the northern midlands whilst completing a Masters research project. Sarah and Tom have been farming together in Tom’s hometown of Westerway since 2011. In addition to the farm, Sarah also teaches Agribusiness at the University of Tasmania.
The Back Run started out with what could best be described as a baptism of fire, and from there it has steadily grown in both size and capacity. Beginning in its present iteration in 2011 Sarah and Tom have been producing fat lambs and Angus cattle on their Derwent Valley property. Working alongside the wider Clark family farm has enabled Sarah and Tom to establish their own farm and fulfil their life ambition of producing quality livestock whilst nurturing the land they manage.
A focus on breed and genetic selection, together with selection for temperament and handling to maintain calm cattle are helping make The Back Run sheep and cattle well-rounded stock. Improved vegetation management as well as riparian zone protection, tree plantings, and careful land management are undertaken with the aim of improving the landscape.
In 2021 they began integrating plantation tree production through the establishment of radiata pine plantings at their Ellendale property with the assistance of Private Forests Tasmania. Sarah will share their insights into integrated tree plantings including their experience in the carbon farming space.
Sarah and Tom are always looking for ways in which they can improve their practices. Ongoing training, involvement in discussion groups, and a questioning nature are all part of their continual improvement strategy.
Red Meat Updates is an annual conference which will be held on 28 July 2023 at the Tramsheds, Launceston.
RSVP is essential.