NMIS Water Underpins Expansion and Succession

Access to high-surety irrigation water is helping Nina and Will Bennett create on-farm career opportunities for their three children.

Ashby, a fifth-generation superfine Merino and irrigated cropping farm near Ross, is located in a low rainfall area with rolling hills, river flats and fertile soils.

The Bennett family has applied for 1,500 megalitres of water from the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, which remains on track to deliver first water in time for the 2026/27 irrigation season.

“This water will make such a difference to our current and future farming enterprises,” Will said.

“With our children Alice, Percy and Dougal all interested in the family business, we need to ensure the property offers a viable and sustainable future for all,” Nina added.

“Water from Tasmanian Irrigation gives us the certainty and confidence to invest, expand, diversify our cropping enterprise and continue our commitment to the superfine Merino wool industry.”

“For the past two decades, our focus has been on the sheep enterprise and selective breeding to drop our average micron to below 16 microns. The irrigated cropping has been expanding but has been limited until now by water availability.”

The Bennett family hit international headlines in 2025 when their 12.7-micron bale of wool sold for $35,000 – one of the highest prices seen in Tasmania for decades. The wool was purchased for Loro Piana’s Gift of Kings luxury range, where customers can verify the authenticity and traceability of the garments by scanning a QR code on the labels.

With Alice studying a Degree in Ag and Business at the University of New England, Percy currently working on a station in the Northern Territory and Dougal planning to head to the mainland to work in agriculture after finishing year 12 at the end of this year, Will and Nina are bracing themselves for an influx of ideas and innovation.

“At this stage they are all keen to be involved in the family farm,” Will said. “Their collective experience and education will no doubt mean exciting new directions and opportunities for our business and property in the near future.

“Having Tasmanian Irrigation water will ensure that there is the opportunity for all of our children to be involved with the farm. There are many farms in the Northern Midlands region in the same position, which benefits our wider community and our State’s agricultural industries.”

Bennett Family. Photo credit: Alex Maisey.