IRIS Tasmania: Agriculture

rural scene

Overview
Agriculture and the Tasmanian economy
Agricultural land
Farming activities
Irrigation development
Research and support

Overview

Tasmania occupies a land area of 68,300 square kilometres, of which nearly a third is committed to agriculture. A temperate climate, high quality water, fertile soils, four distinct seasons and a clean atmosphere make Tasmania an ideal place for producing pure, high quality products. Coupled with this is the advantage of cheap land, irrigation development and capacity and reliability of supply of products.

The major agricultural activities in Tasmania are:

beef farming - mainly in the Northern and North-western regions
dairy farming - mainly in the Northern and North-western regions
sheep farming - mainly in the Greater Hobart-Southern and Northern regions
vegetable production - mainly in the Northern and North-western regions
fruit production - mainly in the Greater Hobart-Southern region.

The majority of farms in Tasmania are small in size. According to the 2005-06 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Agricultural Census, 44 per cent of Tasmanian farms produced less than $50,000 worth of agricultural output that year.

ABS data indicates there were 4,079 farms in Tasmania with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5,000 in 2006-07. 36 per cent were classified as beef cattle farms compared to 33 per cent nationally. Sheep farms were the second most common farm type in 2006-07, accounting for 14 per cent of all Tasmanian farms, followed by dairy farms at around 13 per cent. Vegetable growing farms accounted for 10 per cent compared with only 3 per cent nationally.

In value terms, milk is the most important agricultural product in Tasmania, accounting for 22 per cent, or more than $234 million of the $1060 million total value of agricultural production in the State in 2006-07.

Vegetables accounted for 18 per cent ($193 million) of total value of agricultural production in the State in 2006-07, with potatoes at 43 per cent, onions 16 per cent and carrots 12 per cent of the total value of vegetable production.

Agriculture and the Tasmanian economy

Agriculture is an important contributor to the Tasmanian economy both in its own right and because of other industries that depend on it. In particular, the manufacture and service sectors that utilise farm outputs are very significant contributors to Groww State Product and employment.

Agriculture is a more significant contributor to the Tasmanian economy than it is in any other State. Tasmania's 16% of Gross State Product from the farm dependent economy compares to a range of 10% to 15% for other states and an Australian average of 12%. Two-thirds of Tasmania's farm dependent economy contribution to Gross State Product occurs beyond the farm gate - in the farm output sector.

Agricultural land

The Department of Primary Industries and Water uses the Land Capability Classification System (LCCS) to assess, classify and map land according to its ability to support a range of crops on a long-term sustainable basis.

The evaluation is based on the degree of limitation imposed on that land by a variety of physical factors, which include erosion, soil type, wetness and climate. Land is evaluated on the basis of a range of potential crops, productivity, ease of management and risk of degradation. Only broad acre agricultural crops and pastoral activities are considered, and only where they occur on private freehold and leased Crown land. Land managers utilise the land capability classification system to address sustainability issues on their properties by ensuring land use practices are matched with the ability of the land to support those practices.

The Revised Draft State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2007 seeks to foster sustainable agriculture in Tasmania by ensuring the continued productive capacity of the State's agricultural land resource.

The Department of Primary Industries and Water also provides information on:

Land use

Land management

Farming activities

Many Tasmanian farms undertake a range of farming activities. Livestock can be found on most farms in the state. Sheep are mainly found in the drier areas through the midlands from Campbell Town to the Derwent Valley. Beef and dairy cattle are concentrated in wetter areas with the majority across the north of Tasmania.

Vegetables are produced in the high rainfall, high fertility areas of the state in the north-west around the Meander Valley as well as in the north-east and increasingly, in drier areas of the state where irrigation is available. While most vegetables are grown under contract for processing, niche markets are being sought for fresh vegetables.

The main broadacre crops grown are oil poppies for pharmaceutical use, barley for malting and stockfeed and wheat for milling and stockfeed.
The main livestock raised are cattle for beef and milk production, and sheep for meat and fine wool.
While the apple industry is no longer as significant as it one was, it is still Tasmania's main fruit crop; in recent years, other crops such as cherries and strawberries have grown in significance.
The main vegetable crops grown include potatoes, onions and carrots. These crops have benefited from the development of interstate and overseas markets, which have made them amongst the most valuable agricultural commodities produced in Tasmania.

A variety of crops are grown in Tasmania, including cereals for grain, pome and berry fruits, grapes and vegetables. Unlike mainland states, most of Tasmania's crops are small area intensive crops such as fruit and vegetables rather than broadacre crops such as barley and wheat. In recent years, less traditional crops have come to prominence, in particular poppies for medical uses and grapes for winemaking.

Irrigation development

The value of farming production in Tasmania has the potential to double through expanded irrigation schemes. The Tasmanian Government's strategy of developing agricultural capacity through building and extending irrigation schemes will mean increased production of dairy, beef and specialty crops.

Following the completion of the Meander Dam in the north of the State, funding of $80 million has been committed by the Tasmanian Government, together with $140 million committed by the Australian Government, to progress large-scale irrigation development.

The Midlands Water Scheme is the first of 11 projects being developed by the Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board.

In April 2009, construction began on the Caveside / Dairy Plans pipeline from Meander Dam. The pipeline will deliver over 4,000 mega litres of water to 16 properties, mostly belonging to dairy producers. This pipeline is the second of four pipelines being constructed to deliver water from the Meander Dam to irrigators beyond the Meander River. Construction of the Meander Dam Pipelines will enable increased output across the entire Meander Valley.

The Department of Primary Industries and Water has details of other irrigation development projects.

Research and support

The Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment (DPIW) and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) assist the agricultural industry through research, advice and industry development support. DPIWE provide many opportunities for those involved in the food and agriculture industries to develop the knowledge and skills required to create and develop a successful business. Detailed information and contact details are available for each industry sector on their website.

Scientific research is undertaken by the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, a joint venture between DPIWE and the University of Tasmania.

Tasmania

State of Success

Agriculture