GSK Recognises Top Poppy Growers

Leaders in Australian poppy production, GSK awarded its top poppy producers at an award dinner held in Launceston last week.

The awards recognised poppy growers in each growing district who have achieved the highest returning crop for the season and crowned overall winners for top GSK crop.

Poppy growers Robert and Karen Addison, who farm at Moriarty on the Tasmanian North West Coast, were awarded GSK’s State Top Crop for their Thebaine crop that achieved a yield of 4.26 tonnes per hectare and returned $10,927 per hectare (ha).

GSK Opiates Division General Manager Steve Morris said the awards recognised the hard work of GSK poppy growers and highlights the value of this season’s crop which produced a good average return to most growers.

“The night is an opportunity to recognise GSK poppy growers on their achievement and celebrate the increased production results gained this season – specifically in Thebaine and Morphine crops,” Mr Morris said.

“Overall winners Robert and Karen Addison gained significant production results for their Thebaine crops, producing an alkaloid level of 74 kg/ha – an enormous achievement.”

GSK pioneered the medicinal poppy industry in Australia nearly 50 years ago when it commenced the cultivation of poppies in Tasmania. Today, Tasmanian grown poppies supply nearly 50 per cent of the world’s requirements for medicinal alkaloid – the opiate based material used for the
manufacture of pain relieving medicine.

Mr Morris said this year’s crop results has reinforced GSK’s position as a leader in poppy production and will help the organisation attract high performing growers for the coming season.

The winners in the remaining categories included: northern midland district winners Pisa Estate from Cressy; north eastern district winners Peter Heys Family Trust from Ringarooma; southern midlands district winners Headlam Bros Trust from Woodbury; eastern district winners Highbrae Holdings from Westwood; western district winners MK&CM McKenna from Gawler; north west/circular head district winners Windy Hill Pastoral from Somerset; southern district winners Humbie Pastoral from Bothwell; and central district and State Top Crop winners - RD& KF Addison from Moriarty.

Media release issued by Currie Communications on behalf of GSK.

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