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 down 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 once 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.
PRINCIPAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, Tasmania, 2004-05
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).
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