It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. Please consider turning it off to support us.
Set Default Location
Next Crop
Tassie – the tipping point? OPINION5 months, 1 week ago
Plenty to take pride in for Tasmanian horticulture | OPINION
Dr Mike Walker
5 Feb 2019, 5 a.m.
On the up: Wine in the Tamar Valley. Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Ilona Schneider
Things are looking up for Tassie ag, according to Dr Walker.
"TASMANIA is at the bottom among Australian states on virtually every dimension of economic, social and cultural performance."
"It doesn't matter which measure is chosen, Tasmania will finish last."
"The underlying problem is simple but intractable: Tasmania has developed a way of life, a mode of doing things, a demographic, a culture and associated economy that reproduces under-achievement generation after generation."
"Everyone knows the problems: they are manifest, reported every day."
"The reality is that Tasmania has bred a dominant social coalition that blocks most proposals to improve."
Tasmania's fruit fly incursion reaches its first anniversary
Tasmania one of the world's "10 best wine travel destinations of 2019"
Draft Biosecurity Bill 2019 open for final comment
I could go on, but this is enough to give a flavour of what Jonathan West in his essay entitled Obstacles to progress – what's wrong with Tasmania, really? in Griffith Review 39, Autumn 2013, the title of which graces this column as well.
West's conclusion then was that this meant: Down. Five years later, my conclusion is this means: Up.
I refreshed my memory of the Review as I was collecting my thoughts for my review, of my columns in 2018.
The refreshment was triggered by my March column, How Green was Tasmania, which is the core of the dominant social coalition referred to by West.
Back to West: "Tasmania's unemployment rate in October 2012 stood at 7.7 per cent by comparison to the Australian average of 4.9pc.
In 2012, the poor performance of the Tasmanian economy was a dominant topic in local public discussion.
"It felt depressed (however) the evidence suggests that opportunities abound in Tasmania."
"My colleagues and I identified six main areas of opportunity: wine, dairy, aquaculture, horticulture, mining and tourism."
There is a lot more negative comment about Tasmania, but let's fast forward.
Tasmania's unemployment rate in October 2018 stood at 5.6pc by comparison to the Australian average of 5pc.
POSITIVE: The Tasmanian Food Guide 2019 is full of good stories.
In 2018, the great performance of the Tasmanian economy is a dominant topic in local public discussion. It feels optimistic.
It's difficult to pinpoint the reasons, but there's no doubt, life feels good at present.
The six main areas of opportunity have all been taken up.
Wine and horticulture were mentioned in May, July, October and were the focus of last month's column together with whisky. There has been a surge in all three.
For example, there are now more than 50 vineyards in the Tamar Valley alone, and, while the first whisky distillery was set up 15 years after we arrived here in 1979 by Bill Lark, there are now 36, with an estimate of 50 by 2020.
You can read all about it in the Tasmanian Food Guide 2019. You won't be surprised to find that it's another quality Nine publication.
Tasmanian readers will have received a free copy in their local Nine newspaper. Mainland readers can find out how to get their copy by emailing the editor, Maeve McKenna at maeve.mckenna@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
In February I had a look at Consultation (when legislation is being developed), in April the origins of Australian agriculture, and in June ways to improve biosecurity.
Then in August the history of the TFGA and in September issues related to climate change.
This year (2019), the focus will be on the parsley project proposal.
From the front page
Senator fights for increased funding for rural and remote councils
Senator Susan McDonald has welcomed a significant boost to the Morrison Government's Financial Assistance Grants program.
Rangeland supporters call for regional restructure
Lindsay Godfrey highlighted a number of initiatives that could help those most invested in the rangelands' future "lose the lead in their saddlebags" - support for cluster fencing, the artesian water piping scheme, and capitalising the Regional Investment Corporation to take a bigger part in restructuring.
International honour for Aussie cooking history
An Australian book that celebrates simplicity in cooking, much of it thanks to the ingenuity of outback women, has produced a sizzling result internationally.
Veg management laws hinder fire response
The report failed to look at state management of fuel loads, critics say.
'I counted nine processors trying to buy cows' : Cattle market rallies
A strengthening cattle market is providing options for feed strapped producers.
Rebadged servo open at Winton
Ten months after it was shut down, the roadhouse at Winton has reopened with new badging to an enthusiastic reception from the travelling public.
NT station offered with 12,000 cattle
The 447,500 hectare Daly Waters cattle property Murranji Station is being offered with 12,000 cattle.
North west property sales 'rationalising'
Despite a "wild start" to 2019 in north west Queensland, Herron Todd White property analyst Roger Hill expects as many cattle stations in the region to change hands this year as were sold last year.
Farmonline Network
Search thousands of classified ads ONLINE
Search over 20,000 rural real estate listings online including farms, rural property and acreage for sale.
Australia's premier industry field day event, the 2015 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip.
Buy rural and agricultural books and DVDs online.
Connecting Livestock Buyers & Sellers: Your one-stop shop for livestock news, reports and sale listings.
Australia's Horse Trading Magazine. Everything equine - Buy, Sell, Ride.
Copyright © 2015. Fairfax Media.