Tasmanian Country Hour: Recent Episodes
ABC Radio
Nikki Davey, a flower farmer from Victoria, has been named the 2023 Rural Woman of the Year, the fertiliser industry preparing to bring in measure to curb it's own green house gas emissions and Nuffield scholarships awarded to three Tasmanians, Dave Roberts-Thompson will be investigating soil health.
North east Tasmanian farmer Trevor Hall is being kept busy at the moment preparing Angus bulls for the annual Spring sale at his Waterhouse Farm.
The latest vintage report for Tasmania reveals a record price per tonne for grapes grown in the cool climate region, after a drop in production of 1 per cent.
The Tasmanian Fruit Growers Association has joined other representative bodies in condemning the State Government over the increase in electricity charges beginning Saturday.
What happens when you stick a young adult fiction writer and an engineer on an isolated sheep farm?
Have you ever met those amazing people that seem to have lived a thousand different lives?
A lot of hard work and many years experience is needed to grow superfine wool that is amongst the best in the world.
For decades the Houston family have been associated with growing lettuce in southern Tasmania.
Carbon farming i certainly a hot topic amongst farmers across the country but how much do farmers really know.
Tasmania's poppy processors have released details of their contracts for the coming season.
More and more farmers in Tasmania are using specialist natural products to improve the health of their soil, according to several people who sell those products.
Two new Tasmanian Irrigation schemes have been approved in the Federal Budget and allocated funding of more than $170 million.
The owners of a free range piggery on Tasmania's east coast have doubled the size of their farm.
A Hobart family food processing company started back in the 1950's is continuing expansion plans and making inroads into mainland markets.
Many Australian farmers have a range of hobbies and pastimes to while away the time away from the daily grind of farming.
Matthew Thomas from the Weather Bureau in Tasmania has a strong rural background and grew up on a Yarra Valley property.
A program helping Tasmanian farmers make better decisions around preparing for drought continues to expand across the state.
In past conflicts Animals have played a cruical role in the war effort, carrying food, water, medical supplies and ammunition.
Lobster man Brendan "Squizzy" Taylor is back on dry land after the latest foray into the Southern Ocean to catch lobsters and film the TV Show Aussie Lobster Men.
Sometimes when people have kids it sparks a pretty big life change - maybe they decide to get their health in check, change jobs, quit smoking.
Fresh pears are in the shops in Tasmania, with most coming from orchards on the Tasman Peninsula.
The Southern Midlands Council in Tasmania has approved a multi million rebuild of the Lark Distillery at Pontville on the Shene Estate site.
A couple of high quality pens of Hereford cattle attracted excellent bids at the latest Powranna Weaner sale.
The Greater South East Irrigation Scheme in Tasmania has had to be remodelled after a big drop in water sales compared to the expressions of interest from farmers in the scheme.
A Tasmanian bred bull has smashed the previous record price paid for a bull in the state at the Landfall Angus Autumn sale at Dilston in the Tamar Valley.
Overcrowding at the Port of Devonport has reached breaking point, says a group of fishers who have been waiting nearly 40 years for an upgrade.
A group of Derwent Valley irrigators are looking at a vastly different late summer /autumn growing season this year and are hoping for a good autumn break.
Riding instructor Virginia Turner loves watching people with disabilities and new adult riders blossom in the presence of her horses, at Wynyard in Tasmania.
Among those awarded an Order of Australia Medal is someone who is often spotted digging in Tasmanian paddocks, wearing a hat decorated with dung beetles and breaking into song.
potato supplies are still a little low and that's likely to continue for some time, although it's not just bad weather that's caused the shortage of frozen chips.fresh spuds are back in the supermarkets.the grain season is well underway with processors running out of room for the bumper crop.
Tasmania's cherry season is in full swing, with exports ramped up to meet Chinese New Year demand.lower milk supplies reduces the amount of butter production.a push for students to consider an agricultural science degree at the University of Tasmania.
The growth of the electric vehicle industry is reviving and securing the future of an old Tasmanian nickel mine, there's new jobs and a thriving West Coast town, we check in on a program designed to encourage more women into the bee industry and Tassie's shearers and wool handlers do well at the national champs in Bendigo on the weekend.
One expert believes more vineyards should convert to organic, we dip our toes into some ugg boots with a difference, a former accountant-turned-farmer, has become Chair of Dairy Tasmania and a start-up company that's been turning farm waste into delicious and healthy ... ish, snacks.
A flower grower who accidentally grew restricted poppies, deals with the consequences, an east coast vineyard using a helicopter to help spray and the latest climate outlook.
The horse industry in Tasmania shocked and angry about the decision to ban livestock from travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania. The three month climate outlook, more rain but there is good news. Ever wondered what it would be like to be in the pit at a V8 supercar race? one tractor mechanic won the chance to find out.
rhubarb, poppy and potato farmer, Jerrod Nichols from Scottsdale in the North East, talks rain, crops and plantings.  a multi million dollar retro fit of tractors bound for the Antarctic.  Northern Queensland beef experts taste testing 500 kg of meat to pick the nation's best steak.
Tasmanian potato growers may find it tougher to get banks to cover the cost of their next crop after receiving final price offers from Simplot, and growers in marginal areas may have little choice about planting a potato crop next season after a lower than expected price offer per tonne
Tasmanian potato growers have reached an impasse on price with Simplot and McCains are yet to offer their growers a price, and long time seed potato farmer Brett Neale says it's time the two big processors offered growers a fair price to allow them to grow next year's crop.
Farmers have rolled out their anger at a multi-million dollar proposal to redevelop a section of Longford's main street as a convoy of tractors, trucks and cyclists drove down Wellington St yesterday to protest against the changes
Biosecurity Tasmania has given up trying to contain Blueberry rust it says the benefits of containment no longer outweigh the burdens, reporter Laurissa Smith is there to cover some of the issues canvassed at Red Meat Updates this year, Farmgate milk prices are at record highs and some dairy businesses are doing twice as well as they were when the industry was in the doldrums a few years back and olive growers in some parts of the state are recording lower yields this year do you seasonal conditions.
The measures under consideration to protect Royal Hobart Show livestock from foot and mouth disease, the world wide push for big institutions to buy local produce and a positive outlook for Tassie grain growers for spring plantings as prices for grain and oilseed remain high.
Australian exporters are expected to see a drop in shipping container prices in coming months according to a market analyst, and dairy farmers who use iodine sprays have noticed the rising price of iodine which has trebled in the past three years.
For the first time in 10 years the number of lives lost in 12 Months on Australian farms has dropped below 50, and in 2021 46 members of the Australian Farming community were killed and a further 128 were badly injured.
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association says citric acid mats are needed for regional airports in Tasmania to combat Foot and Mouth disease, and the Tasmanian Government has allocated $350,000 to the TFGA over a three year period to enhance biosecurity on farms across the state
A small farm with an array of animals in the Derwent Valley is a popular destination for people with disabilities.
Simplot pea growers in Tasmania have received a price increase of $120 a tonne from the food processor, and the company has also told growers it wants an extra 3 thousand tonnes of peas next season
Two small agri tourism businesses in north Tasmania are taking care of the environment with the help of visitors to their farms
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association is calling for a review of the state laws governing the compulsory acquisition of farm land for major infrastructure projects, and many TFGAs members are being faced with potentially losing valuable parts of their farms for major public infrastructure projects like irrigation and power transmission line
The Tasmanian Government will employ 8 extra biosecurity officers as an added insurance against any possible incursion of foot and mouth disease into the State, and More than 3 hundred farm dams in Tasmania will have to undergo checks to see if they meet current safety standards
Australian Dairy Industry Council's president Rick Gladigau says he will keep fighting for Australian farmers and processors' right to use cheese names like feta and parmesan, and Railton cheese company Elgaar Farm has won the "Best Australian Cheese" category at a major world cheese awards for their organic produce along with a number of medals
Potato growers who supply Simplot in Tasmania will meet this week to vote on a final price offer from the processor for next season's potato crop, after growers rejected the latest offer from Simplot and say they need $500 a tonne to make growing spuds viable because of the high input costs
The CEO of Sheep Producers Australia says the threat of foot-and-mouth disease highlights the need for Australia to introduce a mandatory electronic ID system for sheep, and the theme of NAIDOC week this year is get up! standup! show up! and one Tasmanian group says it's done just that, in its collaboration with a farmer in the northern midlands
Travellers returning from Indonesia will be subject to tougher biosecurity measures from today to try to prevent a local outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and International forestry investor New Forests, is on the hunt for more timber in Tasmania and it wants farmers in the north of the state to grow more trees.
Agricultural consultant Wayne Plaske says there's never been a better time for farmers to change their mindset around the amount of fertiliser they use, as the price of fertiliser remains at record highs more than double the price this time last year and plenty of farmers are looking at alternatives
Global grain and oilseed prices have seen a price drop in the past month, with canola prices falling 17 per cent, but there's still plenty of interest in canola in Tasmania, with 8 to 10,000 tonnes of production expected next summer.
Indonesian officials have confirmed 60 cases of Foot and Mouth Disease in Bali right where the tourists visit , and one vet has described the situation as a big concern for Australia due to tourists returning home
Two Tasmanian commercial tomato growers say the high price of tomatoes is due to a number of reasons including the Queensland floods, and both say they are finally getting a good return for their produce after a tough time through the Covid years where demand for tomatoes was greatly reduced
The latest creation from scrap metal sculptor Matt Sloane from Copping in Tasmania is now in its new home at a southern Tasmanian farm school
Some Tasmanian deer farmers are concerned at aspects of new regulations including a license which come into effect in the state from tomorrow, and hundreds of hives and millions of bees have been destroyed in New South Wales as the investigation into the discovery of varroa mite continues in the Newcastle area
Beekeepers in southern Tasmania will meet tonight as calls come for a ban on importing Queen bees from the mainland because of the varroa incursion, as Biosecurity authorities have discovered the varroa mite at three new sites around the Hunter Valley as investigations continue into the original discovery
Salmon company Tassal for the third time has rejected a takeover bid by Canadian Seafood company Cooke which also bid for Huon Aquaculture , after an offer of $4.85 per share was made by the overseas company which has gained approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board for Tassal
Sky high property prices have made home ownership impossible for many Australians, but the next generation of farmers is also feeling the pinch
New South Wales beekeepers have been ordered not to move their hives as an investigation into the varroa mite discovery continues around the Newcastle area.
Campania orchardist Ian Newnham has welcomed the changes to the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme announced this week, and he has been campaigning for years to have a more secure system of water delivery to farmers and to make sure water restrictions are a thing of the past
Tasmanian Irrigation today unveiled its Preferred Option Design for what will be the biggest irrigation scheme in the state the Greater South East Scheme, and the scheme will offer over four hundred farmers a total of 41 thousand megalitres of water from the Derwent Valley through to the Coal River Valley
Regenerative Agriculture is an increasingly popular farming methodology, and it's starting to push into the farming mainstream
A new local Tasmanian committee has been set up to prepare for a future outbreak of foot and mouth and Lumpy Skin Disease both now in Indonesia, and cattle farmer Brett Hall says the protocols with our biggest beef export markets like the US and Japan should be changed to allow exports to continue if FMD gets to the mainland
A new local committee has been set up in Tasmania to prepare for any future outbreak of Foot and Mouth and Lumpy Skin Disease, both now in Indonesia
Bees and insects are mainly responsible for pollinating fruit and vegetables crops but there are some promising results from an intensive trial of another form of pollination.
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture says it's getting promising results two thirds the way through a trial on mechanical pollination to help the bees, and Professor Dugald Close from TIA says the use of sprayers to distribute pollen to fruit trees has had some good results two years into three year trial
The price of fertilisers on the world market are starting to fall as Morocco plans to greatly ramp up production to make up the shortfall, and Tasmanian scallop fishers are keen to get back into local waters off the East Coast this week for the start of the scallop season
The Tamar irrigation scheme is in jeopardy because number of irrigators required to push ahead with construction has fallen well short of the target , and despite receiving funding from both the State and Federal Government, the scheme cannot go ahead without adequate farmer support so water sales will re-open
A new winery to service the Tasman Peninsula is being built on a property at Premaydena by a couple who are new to farming.
Primary Employers Tasmania says increased wage costs for farmers are likely to push up prices for consumers in the next few months, and details of the changes to the Basic Wage which come into effect in July will be available next week on the PET website
North west Tasmanian dairy farmer Alistair Bowman has had two pivots destroyed by the heavy winds over the weekend, while Sheffield dairy farmer Damien Cocker says it could take up to twelve months to repair fence damage caused by fallen trees on his property
The big job of clearing damage caused by very strong winds at the weekend is continuing on Tasmanian farms in the north and north west of the state, and the full extent of the damage could run into many millions of dollars according to the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association which is assisting with the clean up
Sea birds are returning to some of the smaller islands off Flinders Island to breed after two decades of painstaking work to remove weeds infestation
Dexter cattle back from the brink after being declared a rare and endangered species four decades ago
Dairy farms in the North West struggled without power after the weekend's wild weather, milkings while generators were hooked up. Trees are down and there's a cleanup underway.
Cidermakers and lamb producers, Lost Pippin and Baa Lamb, from the Coal River Valley prepping for the Winter Feast which starts on Wednesday, dairy farms in the North West struggle without power after the weekend's wild weather, and a young Tasmanian farmer and her brother pay top dollar for a working kelpie at the Casterton kelpie muster.
A cold snap around Tasmania, how are farmers preparing, we talk to Central Highlands farmer Will Bignell, soaring input costs, why can't Australia be self sufficient in fertilisers? Assoc. Professor Kathy Evans on the new drought hub and how it's connecting scientists with farmers
Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt says the Labor Government is working closely with Indonesia to resolve the Foot and Mouth outbreak, and Small scale lobster fishers are lobbying against an increase in pot limits in the north and north east of the State.
A major Tasmanian salad leaf producer says it's been too wet and cold to grow any extra leaf at the start of winter.
A major Tasmanian salad leaf grower can't make up a shortfall of lettuce on the mainland because of a wet start to winter, and production at the three farms operated by HS Fresh in southern Tasmania will reduce through the cold season
The value of Australian farm exports are tipped to smash a new record of 65 billion dollars this season, and ABARES says total farm production is forecast to rise above 80-billion dollars for only the second time ever
For almost forty years Nick and Maria Mitsakis have been harvesting olive on their property at Penna in southern Tasmania
The diverse farm property Bangor at Dunalley has been recognised as carbon positive after extensive testing, and Day one of the Campbell Town Show is underway in the Midlands with the traditional focus on sheep and wool
The Bangor farm at Dunalley has been declared carbon positive after extensive testing over the past year
The new Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt says resolving the farm labour shortage is a major issue he is looking at, and the Queensland Senator has also confirmed the new Labor Government will phase out live sheep exports but has no plans to stop live cattle exports
We've all heard the spiel many times, irrigation give greater security, it encourages growers to upscale, and to invest in more profitable crops.
Queensland Senator Murray Watt has been named the new Federal Agriculture Minister while Tanya Plibersek is the new Water Minister, while the Shadow Agriculture spokesperson in the election campaign Tasmanian MP Julie Collins has been named Housing and Small Business Minister
Saputo has announced an opening milk price of $8.50 per kilo of milk solids for its suppliers in Tasmania, and Ripe Robotics has unveiled its fifth generation fruit picking robot which it hopes can replace human pickers
Even though people have been doing it for millennia, fruit picking can be fraught with problems, and that's assuming you can find the people to pick it in the first place.
Parts of the north and north east of Tasmania are expected to get above average rainfall for the winter period according to the latest Climate Outlook, and the remainder of the state is expected to receive average rainfall for June July and August according to the Bureau of Meteorology
The annual two day Fruit Growers Tasmania Conference is underway in Hobart with the farm worker problem high on the agenda, and CEO of Fruit Growers Peter Cornish says a wide range of speakers have been engaged to talk about labour along with fruit fly research and robotic picking of fruit
Growing olives has been a dream come true for north-west locals Ronnie and George Tahu.
A southern Tasmanian couple who took on farming for the first time say they have not regretted leaving their Defence Force careers behind.
The Tasmanian Salmon Growers Association says it's already implemented several recommendations from the Fin Fish Inquiry, and industry CEO Sue Grau says the sector is working closely with the State Government to draw up a ten year plan for the salmon industry
The report from the Fin Fish Inquiry in the Upper House has recommended a stop to any salmon farm expansions until a new plan for the industry is completed, along with a call for a comprehensive Biosecurity plan and the phasing out of salmon farming in sensitive sheltered and biodiverse areas
Horse riding brings joy to many people young and old but it involves a lot of responsibility and knowledge.
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association says it will work closely with the new Federal Labor Government to help the rural sector, and Chair of the TFGA Ian Sauer says the nine point wish list presented prior to the election lists farm labour shortages as a major problem to resolve
Special vehicles developed for use in the fight against fruit fly are not being used in the Riverland because they are too noisy, and Tasmanian superfine wool growers have fared well in the 50th Australian Superfine Wool Growers awards
Potato Growers in Tasmania are at a crisis point with soaring input costs raising serious questions about the viability of the crop, and Simplot growers met in a closed meeting ahead of the next season to discuss those challenges and what they can do about it.
The harvest season for Tassie walnuts is wrapping up, with one producer reporting lower yields but higher quality nuts.
Despite the high input costs more farmers are expected to grow canola next season as the price hovers around twelve hundred dollars, and the demand for high quality Tasmania truffles continues as restaurants get back into business following the problems caused by the pandemic
Aromatic, flavoursome and earthy are just some of the ways to describe a highly sought after Tasmanian fungi.
Tests are continuing on a lab grown bioactive which has been shown to reduce methane emissions in livestock by 95 per cent, and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture is also researching the use of biochar for a feed supplement for livestock to reduce methane
Farmers intending to purchase extra water in the Meander Valley have been urged to put their bids in quickly, and an outbreak of fruit fly in the Riverland district has now spread to 10 different areas and is causing a major headache for biosecurity
Water sales for the augmentation of the Greater Meander Irrigation scheme have been launched and an extra 11 thousand megalitres is available to local farmers, and a Northern Midlands sheep farmer has used mini bales on a bicycle ridden from his property to Hobart for transportation across Bass Strait for processing.
Extractas Bioscience will be running their poppy crop at at a similar scale and price this coming season to last year,
Big milk company Fonterra has announced an opening milk price of $8.25 per kilo of milk solids for suppliers which is a record price, and the company has also announced a 10 cents a litre step-up in price for farmers for the current season meaning the farm gate price was $7.40.
Australia's chief vet says the chance of foot and mouth disease entering the country has likely doubled following its spread to Indonesia, and understanding more about the oceans and how they work for humans was a key topic for the first day of the Salmon Symposium in Hobart today
Between the beauty of the Huon Valley and the area's renowned produce, the decision for Christie Lewis to move there from the mainland was an easy one
The Greens have announced a plan to phase out native forest logging over the next decade if they have a say after the election, and Franklin MP Julie Collins has confirmed Labor will phase out the export of live sheep if it wins the election campaign.
They're the farm animal that's plastered on everything lately, from wall art to mugs, greeting cards and all over social media
Many Tasmanian farmers are celebrating excellent rainfalls with some getting more than 100 millimetres in an overnight downpour, and Derwent Valley farmer George Shea says the rainfall he received will set the farm up nicely for winter after a dry few months.
A panel of three stakeholders in the Tasmanian agriculture sector say they are still waiting for major announcements for agriculture from both major parties, and the big issues cited in the current election campaign include resolving the major problem of a shortage of workers along with freight costs and biosecurity
With the apple harvest season coming to a close one grower in Tasmania is looking to the future but it's not expansion on the horizon.
What are the important issues politicians should look at for agriculture in the Federal Election Campaign?
Dairy company Fonterra is expanding its trial of feeding a seaweed product to dairy cattle to reduce methane emissions.
Dairy company Fonterra is expanding its trial of feeding a seaweed product to dairy cattle to reduce methane emissions, and Fonterra says they're happy with a trial so far on one Tasmanian dairy farm using Asparagopsis grown by Sea Forrest
Tasmanian wine is often referred to as some of the world's best, but the state is home to just one certified organic vineyard.
The latest three month Climate Outlook for Tasmania from the Bureau shows parts of the north and north east will get above average rainfall, and the indications are that the remainder of the state including the west and north west can expect average falls for the period May through to July
The tide has turned in the Australian cattle industry after a Wagyu heifer was sold for a record price of $400,000 beating the previous bull record, and Tasmanian beekeepers have welcomed the move to register all commercial and non commercial hives in the state for biosecurity reasons.
It's the largest change to the agricultural workforce in years, today is the day the Horticultural Award switches over to the new system, and from today all workers in horticulture, primarily those picking fruits and vegetables, will be guaranteed a minimum wage per hour
The head of the peak body representing Australian Wool Exporters has issued a frank warning that the wool market could be hit hard in the coming weeks, as Shipping backlogs in China are threatening to slow exports to a crawl and impact cash flows for woollen mills
Tasmania's pepperberry harvest is down by nearly 75 per cent in some areas, with producers blaming the shortfall on dry weather
The National Farmers Federation says as the Federal Election gets closer it's still waiting for some major policy announcements around agriculture, and Tasmanian pepperberry processors say the wild harvest this year which accounts for more than 90 per cent of production is down by around 75 per cent
The National Farmers Federation says as the Federal Election gets closer it's still waiting for some major policy announcements around agriculture, and Tasmanian pepperberry processors say the wild harvest this year which accounts for more than 90 per cent of production is down by around 75 per cent
The new Tasmanian Primary Industries Minister Jo Palmer says sustainability will be the main focus of ministerial decisions in the portfolio, and Central Highlands fat lamb farmer Ron Sonners says Anzac Day is a very important day for his family after serving two decades in the Army and having a son in service.
Bega Cheese has announced an opening milk price of $9 per kilo of milk solids for its local dairy farmers in southern NSW, and the company which has ten suppliers in Tasmania has offered Victorian farmers $8.40 per kilo of milk solids.
Issues such as worker shortages the Ag Visa Biosecurity and fertiliser costs have been debated in Canberra by Labor and the Coalition, and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud made one new announcement to help prospective farmers while Julie Collins the Opposition Spokesperson made no new announcements.
The National Rural Press Club has hosted a debate in Canberra on agriculture featuring Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and Opposition Spokesperson Julie Collins
If you've been to your local supermarket lately you might have noticed the egg section is looking pretty bare.
The Federal Government will guarantee up to 40 per cent of a first farm buyer's loan if the Coalition wins Government next month, and the promise would see the Government guarantee the amount for a farm up to a value of $1 million.
A group of young Tasmanians has had great success in various rural categories at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney
Researchers from IMAS have announced they've observed bleaching in sea sponges for the first time off Tasmania's east coast , and Tasmanian lobster fishers say it's not worth heading out to sea to catch the lobsters because of low prices and no markets
Upper House MLC Jo Palmer says she will fast track her knowledge of the agriculture sector after being named Primary Industries and Water Minister, and the Acting CEO of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Marcus McShane says he will hold talks with the Minister in the near future
Demand for Tasmanian wine is expected to dramatically exceed supply, with this year's grape harvest down in some areas by 90 per cent, and weather conditions at bud burst in spring and a hail event in early December are being blamed for many wineries especially in the south have fewer grapes.
Wesley Vale fish company Biomar is moving away from fish oil in their formula and instead use an algae based product for fish feed, and dairy farmers have overwhelmingly voted to keep the current levy they pay to Dairy Australia and not increase the amount
An initiative by a group of volunteers in southern Tasmania is carrying on the tradition of famous Tasmanian gardener Peter Cundall
With the federal election expected to be officially called within days, Labor is keeping tight-lipped about its plans for Australia's 81 billion dollar agriculture sector, and it is yet to commit on live exports, dairy regulation or its plans for the agriculture visa and the farm workforce.
Seafood processors in Tasmania say there should be adequate supplies of fresh fish for Easter this year but some lines could be pricier, and the Tasmanian Salmon Industry says despite challenges over summer with harvesting the fish there will be plenty of salmon on Easter tables in Tasmania
There are countless stories to come out of the arrival of the pandemic and for one farm worker it meant a whole new career in the Tasmanian bee industry
Former Tasmanian Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff says he will put his hand up for the role of Premier to replace Peter Gutwein, as Fruit Growers Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish tanked the outgoing Premier for his work in dealing with the Agriculture Sector in the state.
The Tasmanian wool industry has welcomed the Free Trade Agreement with India saying it will further open up an already good market for wool, and the Tasmanian Oyster industry has included 12 recommendations in a submission on the review into the Living Marine Resources Act saying the industry should not be under that act.
The CSIRO is teaming up with Graincorp and food processor V2 in a multi million dollar program to develop plant based food products, and a New Zealand hemp fibre processor says they are processing hemp using the wool fibre plants to make useful products from the crop grown there
The Weather Bureau says there could be above average rain in parts of Tasmania's north and east over the next three months, while the outlook for the remainder of the state shows no indication of above or below average rainfall for the period leading into winter.
The Federal Budget has been described as stable and steady by the Agriculture sector which has welcomed money for rural apprentices, and the cut to the excise of petrol and diesel tax is expected to be a boost for regional areas of Tasmania as well as money for regional roads
The extended family all play their role harvesting the olives even though it's in winter in the Central Highlands
Vietnam has become the first country to officially sign up to the new Ag Visa for Australia but it's now known how many workers will come to Australia, and it's an all family affair when it comes to harvesting the olives at one grove in Tasmania's Central Highlands even though the harvest is in winter.
An ancient berry brought to Tasmania by early farmers is gaining more support from local gin distillers to make a unique gin.
A lawyer who successfully represented two Victorian men in gaining compensation for the effects of noise from a wind farm says the decision has ramifications for Tasmania, as lawyer Dominica Tannock is also representing the No Turbine Action Group in Tasmania's Central Highlands where Epuron is planning the St Patricks Plains wind farm
The best and brightest in the Tasmanian Dairy Industry have gathered at Cressy for this year's DairyTas Awards.
The latest weaner cattle sale at Powranna has seen more than half the 2,700 cattle sold will head to the mainland
The annual Tasmanian Dairy Award winners have been announced with Brian and Michelle Lawrence winning the major award, and more than half the number of weaner cattle sold at Powranna yesterday will relocate to the mainland after a lack of local buyers.
The Tasmanian wine harvest is in full swing and grape growers are reporting lower yields because of the weather conditions
The wine harvest is getting into full swing in Tasmania and the quantity is expected to be down while the quality is high, and the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm in Tasmania's north east has reported its best ever flower season
A lavender farm in Tasmania's north has reported its best ever season while one in the south says things are pretty average
The Queensland company which has discovered a new process to keep milk fresh for longer is planning to spend $40 million setting up a milk factory in North West Tasmania, and Dr Stuart Gordon from the CSIRO Agriculture and Food program is running successful trials processing hemp fibre through a cotton Mill
A Tasmanian veterinarian consultant says it is unlikely Japanese Encephalis Virus will make its way to Tasmania, and a pumpkin weighing in at 731 kilograms has broken the weight record at the Bream Creek Show.
A small market garden at Cygnet is one of the scholarship winners in the Sprout Tasmania program for 2022
The Tamar Irrigation Scheme has been launched and it is three time bigger than first thought with demand from 200 farmers, and Elders has flagged that its profits were on track to rise 20 to 30 per cent compared to last financial year.
Terry Bennett from Bennett Petroleum says their company is not making any more money despite the high cost of fuel, and Agricultural Contractors in Tasmania say there must be some compensation for the sudden increase in fuel costs.
Despite fewer people turning out today for the Taste of the Huon organisers say the 2022 event has been an outstanding success after disruptions from Covid, and farmers along with transport operators are carefully watching the price of fuel as it soars above the $2 a litre mark in Tasmania affecting all areas
The Invasive Species Council says not enough is being done to implement recommendation from an inquiry into feral cats, and the commercial pear harvest is underway in southern Tasmania but pear grower Scott Hansen says this year is much later than normal
Tasman Peninsula pear grower Scott Hansen says he has to go back 40 years to remember a harvest as late as this one
A distributor of fuel to regional Australia IOR expects diesel prices to continue rising by 20 to 30 cents per litre over the coming weeks, and Dairy Australia says the price of dairy products is expected to go up over the next year as input costs continue to rise
Fruit Growers in Tasmania will soon have access to Federal Government funding for help to put netting on their orchards
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers CEO John McKew has resigned the position after 12 months due to personal reasons, and the President of the TFGA Marcus McShane will take over the role in the interim while the search is carried out for a new CEO
The organisers of the Hamilton Show say the event at the weekend was an outstanding success and exceeded their expectations, and Secretary of the Show Society and local strawberry runner farmer Jack Beattie has urged other show societies to go ahead with their agricultural shows this year
Tasmanian farmers depend on the reliability of shipping through the Port of Melbourne but delays and higher costs are set to continue, and fifteen young farmers were on hand at a shearing shed at Ross in the Northern Midlands to learn more about the fine art of shearing
The lack of shearers in Tasmania since the pandemic began has been heightened by border closures and lack of overseas workers
The Queensland Parliament is taking the lead of Tasmania in debating changes to seafood labelling laws to make restaurants and takeaways in line with shops, and a small vineyard in Tasmania's south is celebrating being named New Vineyard of the Year in the Young Gun of Wine Awards
One of the most southern wineries in Tasmania has beaten all comers across the country to claim the title of New Vineyard of the Year.
Farmers on Tasmania's north west coast and on the west coast say the past few months have been very dry with below average rainfall, and the weather bureau has confirmed the figures for the past three months in Tasmania's west have been well below average in many parts.
The poppy industry in Australia will be reduced from three processors to two Tasmanian based companies after the failure by administrators to sell Palla Pharma, and CEO of Poppy Growers Tasmania Keith Rice says it's always sad to close a company and lose staff and says farmers will miss that poppy production
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud touched down in Tasmania today to launch a campaign to help the seafood industry find new markets, and AUSVEG in the lead up to the Federal election campaign say they want a $100 million program to try and get more people especially the young eating vegetables.
Tasmanian farmers are closely watching the unfolding events in the Ukraine for the effects on grain, fertiliser and fuel prices which are expected to be hit, and some areas of the state were hit with thunderstorms overnight which saw some welcome falls of rain but farmers say they need up to 50 millimetres more to set up autumn
The latest climate outlook from the Bureau predicts above average autumn rainfall for parts of the state including St Helens, Bicheno and Campbell Town, while the remainder of Tasmania is expected to have average rainfall with above average temperatures tipped for most areas.
Industrial hemp stolen from an important research site in northern Tasmania, farmers urged to remember the value of industry get togethers, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese talks ag visas and Tasmanian Agricultural Shows urges the public to support the upcoming Bushy Park, Hamilton, and Bream Creek shows.
Some residents and shack owners in Tasmania's Central Highlands say they remain concerned about the site of the St Patricks Plains wind farm
A group of residents and shack owners in the Central Highlands of Tasmania remain concerned about the site of the planned St Patricks Plains wind farm, and the group says the biggest worry is possible noise from the 47 turbines but the company developing the farm Epuron believes the site is perfect for the project.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced an $86 million package to boost the Australian timber industry during a visit to Tasmania today, and Agfest has had its coffers boosted by an $850,000 grant for upgrades at the Quercus Park site and for the future running of the agricultural event
Tasmanian superfine wool growers have had a big week at the annual Tasmanian wool sale, as non mulesed and accredited wool bales attracted bigger returns.
Tasmanian superfine wool growers have had a big week at the annual Tasmanian wool sale as non mulesed and accredited wool bales attracted bigger returns, and The specialist sale of nearly 6 thousand bales proved to growers that premiums of up to 15 per cent will be paid for wool produced to a certain standard.
Fonterra has stepped up the farm gate milk price to suppliers by 20 cents a kilo milk solids bringing the price paid to $7.30 back dated to July last year, and John Hammond from the Scallop Fishers Association in Tasmania has welcomed the move to trial salmon farming in an area of Bass Strait 6 kilometres offshore from Burnie
A trial to see of salmon farming can occur in Commonwealth waters will take place over the next 3 years off Burnie
Japanese brewing giant Asahi which owns the Cascade Brewery has purchased 50 tonnes of raspberries from a southern Tasmanian farm
The Westerway Raspberry farm in southern Tasmania has received a huge boost this harvest with Japan based brewing giant Asahi ordering 50 tonnes of fruit, and the order could become an ongoing scenario to replace raspberries sourced from Poland and it could mean the Tasmanian farm would have to expand planting and production.
The Department of Home Affairs has granted visas to more than 31-thousand backpackers but so far almost 30-thousand of them remain outside Australia and the return of more overseas passengers and flights into Australia has raised questions about the special air freight flights to Asia from places like Hobart
A bushfire in Tasmania's north at Lebrina has burnt out around 300 hectares of bushland but farms in the area have been spared any damage so far
Fire crews are keeping a close watch on a bushfire at Lebrina which has burnt out around 300 hectares of bushland in the past day, and local vignerons in the area say there has been no issues so far with any smoke taint from the bushfire as the wind has been blowing smoke away from the vines
Blueberry growers will soon have access to a range of new organic crop protectants in the fight against blueberry rust.
A bushfire in Tasmania's north at Lebrina has burnt out around 300 hectares of bushland but farms in the area have been spared any damage so far
Huon Valley vigneron Kate Hill says she could lose up to 70 percent of her fruit this vintage because of the severe hail storm in December, and a Derwent Valley farmer has managed to adopt grape vines for planting on his farm after the vines were ripped out of the ground on a Bagdad property
The Environment Protection Authority is monitoring the runoff from fire fighting at a warehouse near Launceston as there are fears a nearby creek and farm dam from the Recycal plant could be affected by polluted water from the fire fighting
Thousands of fish have been killed at Petuna's Rowella processing facility in the Tamar Valley because of the heat, and the Environmental Protection Authority has been called in to monitor the situation and the disposal of the fish
Supermarket giant Woolworths says it will drop the 10 cents a litre drought levy for dairy farmers by the end of June this financial year, after the levy was introduced in 2018 to help dairy farmers through the drought conditions and aid in the recovery via the supermarket branded milk
Biosecurity Tasmania has put out a warning to blueberry growers after two more farms in Tasmania's north west detected blueberry rust, and the total number of farms in Tasmania affected by blueberry rust now totals nine properties across the north and north west of the state
Hop Products Australia says the workforce needed for the upcoming harvest at Bushy Park is down around 20 percent, and the company has put out a call for more workers especially any locals with the annual harvest due to begin in March
Young Tasmanians aged under 25 have been urged to look at a new program being rolled out which is aiming to get more people a career in agriculture, and the AgCareerStart program is looking at people who take a gap year and want to use that time to find work on a farm to learn more about agriculture
Huon Valley cherry grower Matthew Griggs says despite some logistic hiccups cherries for the Chinese New Year have made the trip to Asia on time, and a Midlands poppy grower says he has an optimistic outlook for the industry as harvest begins despite the tough times recently for Tasmanian poppy growers
Good consistent rainfalls over the past two season have made much of Tasmania's east coast a green carpet, but on the north west coast the pyrethrum crop has been affected during planting and harvesting by some heavy falls.
The latest three month Climate Outlook from the Bureau predicts above average rain for parts of Northern Tasmania and the north east, and the prediction is for other parts of the state to have average rainfall as the La Nina effect eases by autumn.
A number of Tasmanian farmers have been named in the Australia Day Honours lost including Belinda Hazell for her services to Agriculture, and north west resident Elizabeth Perkins has received an award for her community work along with Lynn Mason from Carrick for her work in the agricultural community
A former Senator and head of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania Duncan Spender has been appointed the new CEO of Oysters Tasmania, and he will try and visit as many oyster growers as possible to understand more about the problems of the industry and how to combat Challenges ahead due to pandemic problems.
Seven projects around Tasmania will receive grants totalling $6 million through the Forestry On-Island Processing program to help turn wood into higher value products, and the boss of Harvest Moon in Tasmania's north west Neil Armstrong says the latest vegetable harvest is going to plan after a wet spring planting.
Chris Wisniewski from Inland Fisheries is urging fishers to get out on Tassie's rivers and lakes this summer.
Chris Wisniewski from Inland Fisheries is urging fishers to get out on Tassie's rivers and lakes this summer.
New COVID isolation rules expected to help keep truckers on the road, more Asian markets opening up for lobsters as China remains stuck, one farm loses its cherries to rain and the wool market after the first week of auctions in 2022.
Hot and windy conditions lead to a suspension of fire permits, while farmers do what they can to cope with the heat.
Tasmanian producers get ready to showcase their fine produce and wine at a major food festival as tourists flood in from across Australia.
Southern Tasmanian sawmill operator Matthew Torenius says there needs to be a continuation of some native forest logging in Tasmania
Spokesman for the Tasmanian Sawmill Association Matthew Torenius says there needs to be a continuation of some native forest logging in the state, as the timber industry is going through a very busy period with huge demand for timber products across the building industry especially hardwood frames.
Southern Tasmanian sawmill operator Matthew Torenius says there needs to be a continuation of some native forest logging in Tasmania
The weather bureau says parts of the north and north east of Tasmania can expect above average rainfall for the first quarter of 2022, and the eastern mainland states can also expect above average falls as the influence of La Nina has an impact on the weather over the next three months.
The cherry harvest is off to a slow start in Tasmania due to weather conditions in late spring but big cherry grower Tim Reid says mainland prices are the best for a long time, and in the north of the state at Legana Cherries the grower Howard Nichol says the crop is looking very good with hopes for a busy Xmas
Bream Creek vigneron Fred Peacock had all the plans in place for a cellar door at his picturesque vineyard two years ago, but then Covid hit.
Thousands of outdoor Medicinal Cannabis plants are being grown this summer on a site in Tasmania where the greenhouse normally takes preference, and one Tasmanian vigneron has found a way to overcome the shortage of builders for the upgrade of an old shearing shed.
Bream Creek vigneron Fred Peacock had all the plans in place for a cellar door at his picturesque vineyard two years ago, but then Covid hit.
One of Australia's three poppy processors now based in Victoria has entered voluntary administration
One of Australia's three poppy processors now based in Victoria has entered voluntary administration
One of Australia's three poppy processing companies Palla Pharma has entered into voluntary liquidation with receivers Korda Mentha, and the receiver says it's business as normal until decisions are made by the firm's creditors regarding a potential sale of the processor
The red meat industry in Australia has welcomed the Free Trade deal with the UK which it says will be a huge market into the future as tariffs disappear, and the Dairy Industry has also reacted positively to the Agreement which could see products like Tasmanian cheese on British tables
Timberlink has announced a $63 million upgrade to its Bell Bay Sawmill which will see a 50 per cent jump in production, and farmers in the Penna area in southern Tasmania will benefit from an $11 million extension to the Penna Wastewater Recycling Scheme
After months of isolation, Tasmania has finally opened its borders to all Australian states and territories and while many farmers have been able to get on with the job throughout the pandemic - the restrictions have been tough on agritourism operators we talk to a few about the great reopening, Tasmania takes part in national field trials for hemp and the benefits of having a great rural trainee.
A young couple new to farming have taken over a walnut orchard near Richmond after looking at livestock options.
A young couple new to farming have taken over a walnut orchard near Richmond after looking at livestock options.
The head of the Rural Bank has predicted a good outlook for Australian agriculture heading into 2022, and a new farming couple intending to set up a livestock farm now find themselves caring for around 7,000 walnut trees
Sisters Beach farmer Michael Nichols says half a dozen choppers and several fire units are being used today to try and bring a large bushfire in the area under control, after the fire started on Saturday on a private property where a burn-off got out of control and spread through 500 hectares of land in the nearby
Sisters Beach farmer Michael Nichols says a wedgetail eagle's nest with a young inside was a priority for him as the bushfire approached his property yesterday
Sisters Beach farmer Michael Nichols says a wedgetail eagle's nest with a young inside was a priority for him as the bushfire approached his property yesterday
Biosecurity Tasmania is ramping up its testing of incoming produce as the weather warms up and the borders re-open, and Biosecurity Tasmania inspects more than two million pieces of imported produce by hand every year to ensure unwanted infestations are kept out.
An apple farmer whose orchard in the Huon was damaged by hail is looking at juicing the bruised fruit, and work has begun to upgrade the Elliot Farm Research Station in Tasmania's north west with a new dairy, irrigation system and new dam.
A female auctioneer and a female livestock agent shows the times are slowly changing at the livestock markets
A female auctioneer and a female livestock agent shows the times are slowly changing at the livestock markets
Some new modelling on the price of fertiliser reveals just how massive the increases have been in recent months and over the last year, as the price of urea has increased by 230 per cent along with fertiliser rising to $1400 a tonne and with no sign of easing
A Tasmanian single vineyard pinot has just missed out on scoring 100 out of 100 by wine judge James Halliday
The gross value of farm production will hit a record breaking 78-billion-dollars this financial year, and ABARES predicts exports will also smash a record, estimated to hit 61billion dollars.
A Tasmanian single vineyard pinot has just missed out on scoring 100 out of 100 by wine judge James Halliday
Continuing tests in Macquarie Harbour show a slight improvement in oxygen levels but the levels are still historically low, and the ANZ Bank says a shortage of labour, the pandemic and shipping issues will cause price rises for many products this Xmas
Damage of over a million dollars has been caused to an apple orchard in the Huon Valley from large hail stones , and several vineyards including Home Hill plus other cherry and apple orchards also were damaged when the hail storm hit.
Apple, cherry and wine grape growers are cleaning up after a severe hail storm in the Huon Valley
Apple, cherry and wine grape growers are cleaning up after a severe hail storm in the Huon Valley
Tasmanian Irrigation is looking at several options to ensure farmers on the south east irrigation scheme have access to water this summer, and the move comes after Taswater imposed water restriction in the Hobart area because of problems caused by recent heavy rain
Australian farmers are on track to harvest the biggest winter grain crop ever with an estimated 58 million tonnes to come off paddocks, and Circular Head Council in the north west of Tasmania has formed a taskforce to help ease the farm worker shortage in the area
Fresh Tasmanian lobsters will be heading to Asia tonight on a flight from Hobart but not to China which remains closed, but lobster fishers say they have found new markets for the latest catch but those markets won't pay the big prices gained in China
A company which owns a dozen dairies in the north west of Tasmania is giving young farmers the chance to buy into a dairy farm through a share farm scheme, and Southern Tasmanian seafood company True South has been given the National Sustainability award for their work with abalone and sea urchin
Parts of Tasmania could see above average rainfall for the next three months according to the weather bureau
A two year trial spreading fish waste onto marginals paddocks at one Tasmanian farm has been described as an outstanding success
The new owners of Huon Aquaculture say it will be business as usual when JBS takes over the salmon company next Wednesday
A new variety of barley tolerant to wet weather will be available to farmers to grow from next year.
What's being described as one of the biggest Wetlands Reclamation projects ever undertaken in Australia is on the planning boards for one of Tasmania's oldest farms.
Riders and horses were out in force at Westbury today as the stockhorse show was underway
The Fair Work Commission has decided to place a minimum hourly rate on piecework for workers in the horticulture industry
A number of farms in the Jordan and Derwent River Valleys have been hit by floodwaters after the recent heavy rains.
Salmon processor Huon Aquaculture will have a new owner next month after an online meeting of shareholders today
A big upgrade to irrigation infrastructure in the North West, which means more water for farmers, we hear from an ex-world champion of that iconic show sport, the wood chop and the new Royal Hobart Show rural ambassador, Matilda Scott.