Speak to any farmer affected by the floods and they'll say they're grateful they aren't as badly affected as others, particularly those in Latrobe.

But these floods reached far and wide - with multiple properties even damaged in the Flowerdale region, just west of Wynyard. 

On the Hanson's property, a concrete bridge was snapped in half, with a large chunk of the bridge now miraculously propped up on the river bank.

Margot Kelly joined dairy farmer Wayne Hanson to see what the farm looked like on the flood prone river flats in Flowerdale.


Floods destroy bridge on Tasmanian dairy

Dairy farm loses 200 cows to flood

Can the draw card of a cellar door bring people to all corners of the state? 

North-West Tasmanian cellar door, Prickly Mo's in Eugenana, is optimistic it can grow.

Visit A Rustic Cellar Door In The North - West Of Tasmania Prickly Mo

Getting young people excited about careers in science, and particularly agricultural sciences is a consistent challenge.

I dropped in on a group of year 10 students who were bucking the trend and have a passion for science, even during school holidays.

High school students spend holidays at university learning about science

After last year's olive harvest was decimated by frost, north west olive grower Veronica Tahu is relieved the trees will be ready to harvest early this year.

The dry spring and summer has of course meant Wattle Hill olives have been heavily irrigating, but the quality of the fruit is looking good for the imminent harvest, and Veronica is keen to get them off the trees before winter hits.

Veronica Tahu, who runs the Latrobe operatoin  with her husband George took Margot Kelly through a reltaviely new row of trees, which will be producing full volume of olives for the first time this year. 

Tasmanian olives full of surprises

Murray Goulburn Cooperative resumes trading today after a trading halt on the ASX while they revised their earnings outlook for the year.

But there are still uncertainties around what changes Murray Goulburn have in store for the farm gate milk price.

For NZ farmers who are moving over to Australia it's a mixed blessing - the price uncertainty and potential trickle down effect of the Murray Goulburn decision is still a far cry from the current situation in NZ - where farm gate prices are below the cost of production.

Dave Field moved from New Zealand to Montagu in Tasmania in spring last year, and supplies Murray Goulburn. He says in the face of uncertainty about Murray Goulburns decisions, they will hope for the best and focus on doing what they can on farm to manage costs and make the move from NZ worth it.

Compared to NZ, Tassie dairy farmers fair ok

No doubt Murray Goulburn suppliers across the state would have been immersed in the accounts and budget books over the weekend.

Last week milk processor co-op Murray Goulburn announced they would immediately drop the farm gate milk price for their suppliers. 

Instead of 5 dollars 60 per kilo of milk solids they had previously promised, the co-op announced a drop to 4 dollars 75. 

To mitigate the sudden drop, Murray Goulburn suppliers will be paid more this season and have to repay that additional money.

Margot Kelly spoke with three Murray Goulburn suppliers in north west Tasmania. 

Simon Elphinstone, Richard Duniam and Michael Palmer are dairy farmers in Flowerdale, and they say having to repay the price difference over the coming years will discourage people from expanding production.

Tasmanian dairy farmers respond to Murray Goulburn price drop

Well if you enjoy quality cheese we apologise in advance for the cheese craving you may have after this story. 

Lion Dairy and Drinks master cheese maker Ueli Berger had much cause to celebrate over the weekend.

The company walked away from the Australian Grand Dairy Awards with no fewer than five trophies last week, including the Grand Champion award for the Heidi Farm Gruyere GROO YEAH. 

The Lion cheese factory in Burnie recently received a 150 million dollar upgrade and is one of the biggest employers in Burnie, with up to 400 staff. 

With so many awards coming their way, reporter Margot Kelly went to see if there was still room for growth.

But Ueli Berger told Margot Kelly the quality cheese they produce is still dependant on premium, grass fed milk from Tasmania's north-west.


Tasmania's award winning cheese

COWRA MIGRANT CAMP

Somewhere over the rainbow.m4a

Rural Reporter for ABC Rural: North West Tasmania

Margot Kelly: Rural Reporter