TasFarmers calls out corporate retreat from rural Tasmania

TasFarmers says the closure of Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Somerset water department and AgStore has left Tasmanian farmers without access to critical irrigation parts, technical advice, and local expertise at a time when investment in water infrastructure is increasing across the state.

TasFarmers President Ian Sauer said the decision, previously described by the agricultural retail giant as a “streamlining of operations” across Australia, is now directly affecting water projects where farmers are relying on timely service and support.

“This is simply unacceptable. Here’s a large international corporation that professes to serve its customers, yet it’s clear they don’t care about clients or downstream processing, whether it’s potatoes, peas, milk, or cheese. If it doesn’t suit them, they just pack up and leave, or like other big corporations, ask for a public handout,” Mr Sauer said.

"Farmers are now left with uncertainty, where are they going to have pumps and irrigators fixed or obtain technical advice and parts? Nutrient is a big supplier; it was all part of the service. 

"Irrigation is time critical; you can't wait or just turn off irrigators in the middle of summer and wait for parts to arrive from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Farmers must have access to a specialist store, rather than something wrapped up in a regular retail outlet. 

"There’s a lot of technical knowledge involved in designing and maintaining irrigation systems. You need expertise in pumps, electrical requirements, and water application. When something goes wrong, farmers need to call someone who understands their system, not someone second-guessing the needs and requirements,” said Mr Sauer.

Mr Sauer said there is now significant uncertainty and concern among farmers.

“How are they going to navigate through this? Who do they turn to for irrigation advice, repairs, and expertise? Many Tasmanian farmers are expanding their irrigation systems and investing heavily. They need to know which irrigators are best suited to their land and crops. Farmers are rightly worried about where they’ll now get that information,” said Mr Sauer. 

TasFarmers will write to the Chairman and Board of Nutrien Ag Solutions in Canada, calling for an urgent review of the decision and urging the company to restore specialist irrigation support in Tasmania.