TAFCO Rural Supplies Background

TAFCO has a broad horticultural base with a total membership in excess of 450 farmers many operating multi commodity farming enterprises. In excess of $600,000 $1.00 shares are held by the members of our co-operative. The continued investment into the co-operative by new and existing members has played a role in the opening of our new store at 215 Myrtle Street Myrtleford in 1998.

Turnover:

To meet the main objective TAFCO entered into a Franchise Agreement with (then) Dalgety Farmers and began trading as Dalgety Farmers Myrtleford. The annual turnover at this time was approximately $600,000.

On July 1st 1995 TAFCO became independent from Dalgety Farmers and commenced operating as TAFCO Rural Supplies. Our current turnover is in excess of $3,000,000 having peaked at $5,000,000 in 2006 prior to the demise of the Australian tobacco industry.

Service to members

As a co-operative, TAFCO is conscious of the need to service members - Commodity groups serviced by TAFCO include winegrape, vegetable, hops, mint, rubus, nut producers and pastoralists.

TAFCO provides a delivery service throughout the region, saving farmers time and money by having a broad range of agricultural goods delivered to their farm .

In response to changing agricultural needs of the region TAFCO has demonstrated commitment to developing new horticultural enterprises in the region. In addition to supporting the tobacco growing industryTAFCO has been pro-active in assisting the development of new horticultural industries:-

• (a) Provision of administrative support to the McColl Report - Agribusiness Strategic Plan for the Ovens & King areas
• (b) The formation of Alpine Produce - a vegetable grower commodity group under the TAFCO umbrella.
• (c) The provision of guest speakers at winegrape & other growers meetings.
• (d) TAFCO has representation on the Victorian Farmers Federation - Horticultural Group and Alp Valleys Agribusiness Forum
• (e) TAFCO is a key member of the Post Tobacco Action Group (P-TAG formed in 2006 due to the loss of the Australian tobacco industry)
• (f) 2007-2008 SMARTchoice NLP community support project is managed by TAFCO

Future

The role of TAFCO has developed into much more than an outlet for agricultural merchandise for farmers. Representation on various consultative committees is built into our unwritten business plan.

Currently either staff or Directors of TAFCO are represented on:

• VFF - General Council & Horticultural Group Executive
• Alp Valleys Agribusiness Forum
• Chemcert - Victorian State Management Committee 
• GM Water - Ovens Water Service Committee
• Alpine Valleys Winegrape Growers Association
• Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce and Industry INC
• Post Tobacco Action Group
• Alpine Shire

The pro active approach by Directors of TAFCO has seen our business develop over the past 21 years and will see our business expand into the future at an optimum level. One example of the Directors pro active approach, is the introduction of observers to participate in Directors Meetings. Young farmers are invited to attend Directors Meetings and particpate in discussion regarding the business. Although observers have no voting rights, Directors beleive that this is 'training' and preparing young people in agribusiness to take on roles in the future whether it be TAFCO or other organisations.