Traditional wool property at centre of agricultural evolution in the Midlands

ORIGINALLY a wool growing property in a region renowned for fine wool, Stewarton Farm is continuously diversifying – most recently into viticulture. 

Owner James Walch, who has managed Stewarton Farm for the past 30 years, pointed out that some may dismiss the idea of growing grapes in the northern midlands, but his operation is a demonstration that grape growing can be achieved in these areas. 

Stewarton farm spans 850 hectares beneath the Western Tiers, an area known for its frosty conditions in winter and spring. 

Prior to venturing into viticulture, Stewarton Farm focused primarily on sheep and wool production, spanning several generations dating back to the 1820s. 

Mr Walch and his son James now run the farm, blending traditional sheep farming with modern cropping techniques. 

They grow a variety of crops and maintain a diverse livestock operation, including crossbred ewes, lambs, and seasonal cattle such as steers, heifers and dairy cows—depending on what the season is like. 

“My son and I have gone back into a cropping phase.” Mr Walch said. 

They are currently focusing on growing potatoes, poppies, grass seed, cereals, and, of course, wine grapes and this diversity keeps them very busy. 

"I think farmers are always good at adopting new things,” Mr Walch said. 

In 2016, Mr. Walch purchased a 1.5ha block next to their farm which included a small vineyard. 

“I didn’t know what I was going to do with it, whether I was going to push it out or keep it,” he said. 

“We eventually decided to keep it for two or three years and see what it evolved into. We saw that it had potential, but that it wasn’t quite big enough, so we put in a further five hectares.” 

The move paid off however, with this year’s vintage marking the first harvest where they saw the full yield of their pinot noir and pinot gris grapes. 

The season produced about 50 tonnes of grapes with even higher yields anticipated next year as they continue to expand their vineyard.

Today, Stewarton farm supplies grapes to local wineries like Brown Brothers and Devil’s Corner. The farm also benefits from the Macquarie Settlement Pipeline, which ensures water supply and allows them to run their crops with confidence. 

Mr Walch joked that water can be much like a drug saying: “the more you have, the more you want”. He says around the vineyard is a unique microclimate— they have to use frost protection in order to protect and grow the crops. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to grow grapes. 

“Frosts can severely impact potential yields and destroy the buds,” he said. 

Mr Walch uses overhead sprinklers on the vineyard to create a protective layer of ice that shields the buds from frost. 

The sprinklers activate when temperatures drop to critical levels. 

“Without the sprinklers, we wouldn’t be able to produce crops in this region,” Mr Walch said. 

Additionally, they use a laser system to deter birds, which he feels is more efficient than traditional bird nets. 

The vivid green laser, invisible to the human eye, effectively scares birds away. 

“That’s saved us quite a bit because nets can be a pain in the neck to maintain,” Mr Walch said.

He is excited about the future of agriculture in Tasmania, noting that the sector is continually evolving. 

“Tasmania is a pretty good place for wine and the proof in the pudding is that we’ve got all these major players from the mainland wanting to play in our space down here,” he said. 

“Northern midlands is the untapped area and so what we are is proving what can be done in this region. 

“The thing that excites me about agriculture is that what we’re doing today won’t be what we’re doing tomorrow. 

“If I wound back the clock, 15 years ago no one would have thought there would have been dairy in this region, that cherries would be growing in this region, or that grapes would be successful and taking off. 

“Theres always new things happening, and I think Tasmania is ideally suited for these things provided that we stay sustainable and that our environmental credentials are real.” 

Although Mr Walch is content with their current operations, he said the stunning area would certainly make a great spot for a cellar door, but he is content with doing what he does best— farming. 

All crops are under contract, and the farm relies on a network of contractors for harvesting. “We’re not machinery heads and don’t really have diesel running through our veins,” he admitted. 

“We rely heavily on contractors and that means we can utilise the best people, the best gear when we want it, when we need it and it just means we don’t have money tied up in depreciating assets,” 

As winter approaches, Stewarton Farm shifts focus to maintenance and preparation for the next season. 

“Winter is a crucial time for getting ready for the coming season, whether it’s preparing for irrigation or planting new crops,” Mr Walch said. 

Ultimately, Mr Walch enjoys the variety his work offers. 

“One minute I might be looking at a spreadsheet, the next minute I’m outside getting my hands dirty. I like that diversity across the board,” he said. 

“There’s never a day where I’m not challenged by something, and I find that variety good.”