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IRIS Tasmania  >  Resource Industry  >  Agriculture

Agriculture

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Maps - Agriculture

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.

rural scene


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.

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 Grow State Product and employment.

Agricultural land

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment 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 Department of Primary Industries, Parks and Water and Environment also provides information on:

Land use

Land management

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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.

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.

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


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Research and support

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIWE) and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA) 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.