Location
We are located conveniently close to Emerald, being just on the southern side of the airport. From Emerald get on the road to Springsure, go past the airport turn-off, Talafa Rd. is the next road on your left, turn down this road for 2.9 klms. There is an "Emerald Hay" sign at the front gate on your left.
Aim
We aim to produce high quality hay & chaff. This is achieved through firstly growing a lush, leafy, weed free crop which we are able to do with irrigation & the Central Qld weather. Secondly, we try to cut our crops at the right stage when leaf is in abundance. Thirdly, being in the Central Highlands, where there is lots of sunlight, warm temperatures & low humidity, curing time is very short giving us less chance of nutrient loss out of the hay & weather damage. Fourthly, we aim to make good solid bales that weigh & won't fall apart when handled.
People
Emerald Hay is owned & operated by Tony & Mary O'Regan. Tony grew up on his parents cattle property "Mt. Benmore", Marlborough, Qld., did a Rural Science degree at UNE, Armidale NSW, before returning home to work. Tony & Mary moving out to Emerald in 1997 after purchasing a property in the Emerald Irrigation Area which is serviced by the fairly reliable Fairbairn Dam.
Business
Emerald Hay was established in 2001. Lucerne hay production greatly increased in 2004 after the installation of a centre pivot on the free draining red sandy loam soil. This allowed the production of an uniform healthy crop essential for good haymaking. Forage hay crops such as rhodes grass, lablab, barley & wheat are mainly grown on the heavier flood irrigation country. Grain crops & legume rotations are grown on the remainder of the farm.
Emerald Hay has taken on the distributorship of Advantage Feeders which makes hay feeders & grain feeders.