Cradle Coast is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in Tasmania. Fertile soils associated with the northern coastline of the region and on King Island benefit from a temperate moist climate to provide ideal conditions for high-value horticulture, dairying and beef production.

Innovation and investment in agriculture is well established in the region. The Tasmanian and Australian Governments are investing in expanded irrigation capacity in key production areas, providing greater certainty for individual producers. There is also growth in the dairy industry, transition to large scale berry production under greenhouses, and the profitability of the grazing industry is strong.

Significant expansion of the dairy industry into the far north-west has led to land management issues due to heavy stocking rates, high use of artificial fertilisers, extensive subsoil drainage and land clearing. While the far north-west remains highly productive, practice change towards reduced inputs and soil health improvement is desirable. These farming systems are based on soils which include drained swampy coastal plains and sandy coastal dunes but with the combination of high rainfall and high inputs, they are highly productive. Careful management of these systems is necessary to manage nutrient inputs and offsite impacts.

Intensive horticulture is one of the highest value land uses in the region, and consequently, the most productive soils are used. This includes the cultivation and cropping of sloping land. Management of erosion, sediment and nutrient transfer is critical to reducing offsite impacts and maintain soil health and productivity.