Breen Fiona
Hobart, TAS
Fiona Breen is Executive Producer for Rural Tasmania. She loves nothing better than getting out on farms and chatting to rural folk. A lover of the outdoors Fiona has been on assignment to the sub Antarctic's Macquarie Island a couple of times checking on the multi million dollar pest eradication program and catching up with a few penguins and seals. As a reporter for ABC News and ABC Landline she's also been to the Antarctica and Davis Station to cover a few yarns. During her time with Landline Fiona Breen has travelled from the icy continent to wool and sheep properties, dairy, fruit and beef operations across Australia tackling a lot of issues. @FionaBreenTas
Latest by Breen Fiona
'Hempcrete' is sustainable and eco-friendly, but producers say regulations need to ease up
Tasmania's only hemp stalk processing factory is producing "hempcrete" — an uncommon, but highly sustainable building product. The industry says regulation is blocking access to a multi-billion-dollar market.
There are a lot of sheep on this farm — and with over 600,000 solar panels planned, they'll have somewhere to shelter
Can sheep and solar panels mix? This farmer believes they can, and is now a step closer to realising his dream of over 600,000 panels on his Tasmanian farm.
Rick Rockliff, Tasmanian agricultural identity and father of Tasmanian premier, dies
Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff pays tribute to his late father Rick, describing him as a "loyal, caring and proud dad, grandfather and loving husband".
Demand is high for Tasmanian medicinal cannabis, with more than a million scripts written since it was legalised
Demand for Tasmania's special "pot" plants is growing. This farm in southern Tasmania is set to triple its production, but it wants changes to strict advertising rules so it can reveal to customers that its product is local.
What makes Earl, a half-blind kelpie, the best working dog in Australia?
A GPS tracker on Earl's collar has shown he can run faster and longer than all the other top working dogs in Australia. His owner Alex says he'd be lost without the loyal, hardworking kelpie by his side.
The project aiming to make sure this species of tree doesn't go the way of the Tasmanian tiger
The Tasmanian tiger was driven to extinction, as was the Tasmanian emu and a myriad of plants — but it is hoped a bold move will save another iconic Tasmanian species, the Morrisby's gum.
These sea drones travel thousands of kilometres in waters too dangerous for scientists
The Southern Ocean controls the melt of the Antarctic ice sheet, but scientists say more observational science is needed, and they have a range of tools to help.
When Cally gave working a woolshed a try, she 'just loved it'. Here's why
Seven out of 10 wool classing trainees in Australia are now women — and 21-year-old Cally Spangler is one of them. It's a trend the industry is embracing as it looks to renew its ageing workforce.
Warmer winter has flowers blooming early — and that isn't good
Mild temperatures in July are tricking some plants into budding — and that'll be bad when the frost returns.
Farmers make the switch to renewable energy and power-saving measures in bid to battle rising electricity prices
A combination of high input costs and lower livestock prices are forcing change on farms.
Shoppers with a conscience driving demand for ethically farmed wool
Do you like to know where the fibre in your clothes comes from before you buy? If so, you're not alone.
Consumers warned the price of milk will rise, as processors lift their prices to dairy farmers
The price of a bottle of milk is expected to rise as major dairy processors continue to pay farmers more for their milk.
Eggs are getting pricey and hard to find — here's why
Hard boiled with soldiers, poached, fried, or scrambled, whichever way you have your eggs, you'll be paying more for the privilege.
Crop production forecast to fall by a third in 2023–24
With the end of La Niña and the expectation of drier conditions, the agricultural production outlook is for a reduction in crop yields compared to the records of the past season.
Dairy farmers reeling after major milk processors slash price offerings by up to 10 per cent
As opening prices from the country's major milk processors were slowly released over the past two weeks, news they have slashed offers to farmers has sent sour waves of anger rippling through the industry.
'A great outcome': Ambassador says Australia can resume exporting timber to China
Industry representatives cautiously welcome the Chinese ambassador's announcement that China is set to resume the import of Australian timber immediately.
'Critters starting to grow': Rebuilt reefs teeming with marine life
Early settlers who fished native reefs with rakes and chains left them devoid of marine life but a project in Tasmania is the latest example of how the tide is being turned many years later.
Katharine quit a career in opera to grow heirloom seeds — and she has no regrets
A tiny farm in rural Tasmania is a long way from the jet-setting lifestyle of an international opera singer and a business executive. But it's where Katharine Tier and her partner have ended up.
Chemist frothing over potential to turn convict-grown hops into beer
A Tasmanian chemist and museum conservator looks at developing the world's oldest beer using convict-grown hops and yeast from a 220-year-old shipwreck.
Changes restricting international students' working hours have farmers worried as workforce crisis continues
Workforce uncertainty in the face of the cap has left farmers grappling to secure farm hands, with one Tasmanian strawberry farmer halting a $10 million expansion plan.
Tassie apple variety Southern Bliss about to enter market as national harvest numbers drop
Tasmanian apples could fetch top prices this season, with its apple season escaping the bad weather that plagued interstate orchards.
Hot chips set to return to shelves but more shortages loom next year
Wet weather and fewer potato imports are creating trying times for fish and chips shops, but growers say the start of the potato harvest across Tasmania and Victoria should ease demand.
Destructive pest beetle detected in Tassie beehive threatens $12.8m honey industry
The discovery of a "shocking pest" in Devonport — the small hive beetle — is causing unease among the state's honey bee industry, with Biosecurity Tasmania urging beekeepers to remain vigilant.
Full cream milk back in favour as consumers change habits
Supermarket sales data compiled by the national dairy industry body show that full cream milk sales jumped 10 per cent in 10 years, taking a greater share of dairy milk drinking from its low fat or skim counterparts.
More sour news for consumers with prices for these staples on the rise, analysts warn
Dairy lovers could be paying more for their favourite cheese, yoghurt, butter and cream in the coming months and eating fewer local products, industry experts warn.