TasFarmers Matters - Tough times driving innovation

Tasmanian agriculture continues to adopt new and innovative ways of doing business.

It’s simply part of our farmers’ DNA. From self-driving tractors to precision irrigation, innovation isn’t just about the latest shiny tools; it’s about driving performance and ensuring sustainability in primary production.

These new technologies aren’t just for show.

They represent real efficiency gains, greater sustainability, and a response to the evolving demands of tomorrow’s agriculture. We all know how tough the past few years have been.

Yet farmers are ever-resilient and optimistic.

We’re hearing that farmers continue to invest in GPS-enabled tractors, underground power systems, and water infrastructure.

It’s a clear sign that they’re not just surviving but planning ahead.

The scale of investment by our members reflects not only a belief in the potential for increased on-farm productivity but also a deep commitment to building drought resilience.

This momentum is fuelled by the promise of new technology and the pressing need to do more with less.

This wave of innovation tells a broader story, one of optimism, courage, and no small amount of risk-taking.

It reflects the strength of a resilient rural spirit, where farmers still share equipment, lend a hand, volunteer, and support one another when times get tight.

In isolation, these investments may not be significant enough to make headlines, however, in total across the industry, they represent investment that would match that of any other industry in the state.

In doing so the industry is creating growth in new regional jobs and flow on economic regional activity, which breathes new life into the future of our regional communities.

Tasmania’s regional communities are leading the charge in agricultural innovation, even if they do it quietly without a fuss or recognition.

To reach our farm gate target of growing the value of the industry to $10B a year by 2050, we need to do all that we can to create an environment of confidence.

Producers need confidence that infrastructure projects delivered by the state will be delivered on schedule and on budget.

Where GBE’s have established concessional arrangements to support on-farm investment, such as those associated with electricity connections to irrigation infrastructure, these should be straightforward and easy to access.

Nothing erodes on-farm confidence more than delays to the delivery of state infrastructure projects or being confronted by red tape barriers and delays when trying to access GBE concessional arrangements.

Farmers are getting on with the job, we need to recognise their optimism and do all we can to build their confidence by cutting red tape and ensuring public infrastructure projects are delivered on time and on budget.