Tasmanian Country | Tasmanian Country Newspaper

Josie Chester

2026 Safer Farms Report reveals agricultural death statistics

A new safety report has revealed 53 lives were lost and a further 182 people were seriously injured on Australian farms in 2025, bringing the nation’s farm death toll to 427 lives since 2019 – an average of more than one person every week for seven consecutive years.

Lock up your poultry - bird flu edges closer

With Victoria discovering it's first case of H5N1 bird flu, Tasmania is likely next site

Advice is to protect poultry

Recess is time to reset and make plans

A RATHER lacklustre close to the auction season last week with some buyers absent, some tentative and only the largest topmakers really showing any desire to pick up quantity, although some of the Italian fraternity did step up and accumulate quite a few bales of their better types.

Italian buyers are still active

Launceston area farmers hit with huge rate rise

Launceston agricultural properties are being rated as commercial properties by Council, triggering a big jump in payments.

Huge rate rise for Launceston farmland

Lindsay White and Peter Hazell hit out at FPA and land clearing regulations

Lindsay White and Peter Hazell have submitted letters to the editor to the Tasmanian Country on the FPA and landclearing regulations.

The FLAG group outside parliament house.

Small fresh food producers exempt from regulations

A backlash against fees and red tape mooted for small growers and roadside stallholders has resulted in regulations being scrapped.

Leafy greens

Roger River Dolomite

Fishing - Trout season starting on Saturday

With the start of the 2026-27 Tasmanian Brown Trout Fishing season this Saturday at 12 am, it's time to break down the best fishing options for keen anglers looking to get out and about.

Plinio Taurian with a solid Derwent River sea trout he caught and released recently from the Derwent River at Bridgewater.

Bendigo Bank provides agricultural outlook for Tasmania

Predicted dry weather over the next few months could hurt Tasmania’s agricultural industry, according to a new report by Bendigo Bank Agribusiness.

Cattle

Lindsay White to meet King Island farmers over land-clearing penalties

Farmers and Landowners Action Group founder Lindsay White is on King Island this week to meet local farmers affected by Forest Practices Authority investigations, prosecutions and substantial penalties over land clearing.

The FLAG group outside parliament house

Trees

TasFarmers Matters - Pressure on forest managers

The management of Tasmania’s forests is back on the agenda, but not by those who have the practical management of forests as their priority.

Meadowbank

Latest Tasmania wine grape harvest half of what last year's was

While the 2026 Tasmanian wine grape harvest yield was about 50 per cent down on last year, winemakers believe quality will be exceptional.

Julie Collins won't intervene in Rushy Lagoon sale

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has ruled out intervening in the sale of Rushy Lagoon.

Rushy Lagoon