Horticultural Production

​​​Market information and opportunities

The following link has been provided to assist you in your horticultural developments.

Looking at market opportunities

The annual Horticulture Statistics ​​Handbook​​ produced by ​Horticulture Innovation Australia provides data on market size, value, structure and consumption of horticulture crops in Australia. It covers 74 horticultural categories including all fruit, vegetable, nuts and amenity crops.  This information provides the most accurate available view through the Australian fresh market including the wholesale value and volume for each category.  

Enterprise suitability maps 

Enterprise suitability maps can assist farmers and prospective investors to analyse potential crop or enterprise options for a property or district. The information is intended as a guide to the further on-farm investigations and business analysis required before making investment decisions. The link will take you to more information about the maps and how to use them.

Farm business planning tools

Farm business planning tools have been put together to help you with property management and financial decision making. The gross margin budget templates and tools allow comparisons to be made between enterprise types.  

Sprays and pest management 

Users of agricultural and veterinary chemicals have a responsibility to ensure that they implement good practices when using agricultural and veterinary chemicals.The Ag and Vet Chemical use and licences website contains information that will guide you in the safe, responsible and effective use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Wildlife can impact greatly on productivity of an enterprise.  To help with management of browsing wildlife these Property-Based Wildlife Management Plans have been developed.

Plant Diagnostic Services

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Plant Diagnostic Services in DPIPWE comprise:

  • the Plant Pathology Laboratory  - located at New Town Laboratories (Hobart);

  • the Entomology Laboratories - located at New Town (Hobart), Mount Pleasant (Launceston) and Ston​y Rise (Devonport);

  • a Molecular Diagnosti​c Laboratory  - located at New Town (Hobart)

Most services offered by the Plant Diagnostic Services attract a fee.  Please note there is no fee for any request to identify a plant pest that is suspected of being an invasive or quarantinable pest.

The Plant Pathology laboratory provides identification of the causes of plant death or stunting in plants of agricultural, ornamental or environmental significance. The laboratory also provides TASAG ELISA and Potato Virus testing. Clients include industry, private individuals and biosecurity authorities.

The Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory provides molecular diagnostic support to the other laboratories. This extra service is provided for a fee. Please contact the laboratory for details.

There are entomologists at each site. The Entomology laboratories provide diagnostic testing and control advice for plant pests (insects, snails etc.) in all areas of agriculture and horticulture, and for biosecurity purposes.

Contact

FarmPoint

PO Box 46,
Kings Meadows, TAS, 7249.