Tasmanian Country | Tasmanian Country Newspaper

Alex Downie with a new pivot irrigator at Fairfield, Epping.

More water for the Northern Midlands

Farmers have today turned the tap on water from the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme

Diesel prices forcing farmers to rethink finances

Some farmers could turn from crop to livestock production and fodder supplies could drop due to another surge in diesel prices in Tasmania.

Fuel bowser

AI picks up errors in Sheep Producers Australia's Future Flock report

Sheep Producers Australia chair Bindi Murray has been forced to defend the economic analysis attached to its Future Flock - A Ten Year View (2027-2036) report, after artificial intelligence picked up multiple errors in the paper.

Sheep

Derwent Valley Railway hopeful after Chigwell to granton rail lease extention

The Derwent Valley Railway is excited about the possibility of running trains back to New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley in the future, following the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian Transport Museum's decision to extend an existing rail corridor lease from Chigwell through to Granton.

Derwent Valley Railway

Ruby Atkins returns from representing Australia at 2026 International Mounted Games

Deloraine District Pony Club Ruby rider Ruby Atkins has recently returned from Kentucky, USA, having successfully represented her country at the 2026 International Mounted Games.

Ruby Atkins leads the Australian team’s victory lap on a one-eyed pinto pony, Woody, who was one of the horses used by teams contesting the 2026 International Mounted Games Exchange title in Kentucky, USA.

MAST to consider Derwent River restriction zone and speed limit changes

The restriction zones and speed limits along the Derwent River from Sorell Creek to the Esplanade in New Norfolk will remain in place for now.

MAST meeting

Roger River Dolomite

Double whammy on spud front as McCain ditches growers

McCain follows Simplot to drive potato prices down

Potato harvesting at Melrose

Farmers baffled over TasWater decision to remove weir from Dora Creek at Judbury

Local farmers are baffled as to why TasWater is removing a weir from Dora Creek at Judbury, saying that it is a waste of money and there’s no reason to get rid of it.

Mark O'May with Spot -Harriet Paul Photography

Fishing - Whitebait and rainbow trout seasons starting

Whitebait anglers will be ready for the start of the 2026 season on Thursday, October 1. Two days later, on Saturday, October 3, the designated rainbow trout waters open.

Adam Williams with a trout caught recently in the Derwent River.

Beef cattle taking part in the Royal Hobart Show.

Show season close to kicking off for 2026/27

Three agricultural shows have cancelled their poultry sections and removed birds from their animal nurseries as a precaution against bird flu and more are expected to follow as the show season kicks off in Tasmania.

Ballot box

Candidates for King Island and Tasman Council vacancies

Eight candidates will vie for the final spot on the Tasman Council, while on King Island, three people will tussle for two vacancies.

Yongji Health takes over Tasmanian Botanics

A Chinese group has taken over the medical cannabis business, Tasmanian Botanics, after being a part-owner.

Tasmanian Botanics