Meg Powell
Burnie, TAS
Meg Powell is a multimedia journalist who has been covering Tasmania since 2019. She spent several years with The Advocate newspaper digging in to a range of issues from crime, health, the environment, business, social affairs, the arts and politics.
These days you'll probably find her bogged in a North-West Tasmanian paddock, after she joined ABC Rural in 2022. Got a tip? Send it to Powell.Megan@abc.net.au
Latest by Meg Powell
'Here we are': science teacher finds passion for pig farming
After decades of teaching high school science, Mr Cox decided to drop a couple of days at his local school and instead turn his hand to free-range pig farming.
Waiting for goods from overseas? There's a 'perfect storm' of issues causing delays
Consumers have been warned they face long delays and higher prices for goods as shipping and port problems cause delays across the world.
Grassroots group launches last-ditch appeal against wind farm on 'wild and beautiful' Robbins Island
Environmental activists and community members fighting a wind farm planned for Robbins Island, off Tasmania's north-west, say their upcoming court appeal is likely to be the end of the road for them, with money — and hope — running dry.
Peonies are prized flowers. But it's their roots that have farmers interested
With short seasons and fragile crops, the cut flower market can be high risk for farmers but new research is hoping to open a new revenue stream for the growers of one popular plant — the peony.
Threat to endangered parrot species dismissed and wind farm approved
Tasmania's planning appeals tribunal has thrown out a project-killing condition imposed on a large wind farm proposal, due to it being in the migratory path of an endangered bird species — which has elicited a furious reaction from veteran environment activist Bob Brown.
Strahan is famous for salmon farms and tourism. Will both die to save a threatened species?
The plight of the endangered Maugean skate could see a pause to salmon farming in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. But locals warn the flow-on effects to their small community could be disastrous.
What'll happen to King Island Dairy? Locals are asking the question as owner eyes sale
The potential sell-off of the only dairy processing plant on King Island comes as a little surprise to locals who have witnessed a dwindling industry.
This timber is so rare, you have to prove you are worthy enough to buy it
Third-generation sawmiller Ian Bradshaw considers himself the custodian of Tasmania's rarest native timber — a job he takes very seriously.
Tasmania's Big Potato falls down, but Rockliff family vows 'Kenny Kennebec' to return after makeover
Strong winds have toppled 'Kenny' the big Kennebec potato on Tasmania's Bass Highway, but the landmark's owner, the Rockliff family, says it will return after a makeover.
It's hard, long and sometimes stinky work, but this marathon effort may have found hope for Tasmanian devils
An insidious cancer has ravaged Tasmanian devil populations in recent decades but researchers are now optimistic devil numbers can bounce back.
Betta famously wanted to keep its Tassie milk out of the hands of mainlanders. Now, it's going to be owned by them
The slogan for Tasmania's Betta Milk — "It is our milk after all" — could soon ring hollow for Tasmanians slurping down their morning coffee or splashing the white stuff over their cereal.
'It's totally wrong': Trees are dying on Donald's property as pastures turn to bogs
A private hydro scheme in Tasmania's north west is capable of powering 800 homes — but questions are being asked about the impact on neighbouring properties.
'Apple huts' keep scientists warm in Antarctica — they come from a little town called Penguin
Looking like citrus peel, sections of fibreglass are being manufactured and flat-packed on the outskirts of a rural Tasmanian town, destined for Antarctica or even Hollywood.
'We turn up and the cows are there, ready to be milked': The new tech giving farmers a sleep-in
Each morning when Tasmanian farmer Duncan Macdonald wakes up and heads to the milking shed, his herd of dairy cows is already there and waiting — thanks to "virtual fencing" technology.
How these young farmers broke into one of Australia's priciest property markets
Tasmanian Sharefarmers of the Year Nathan and Cassidy Lawrence are living the dream in north-west Tasmania, after being given a chance that "doesn't come up very often".
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.
Farmers fight state 'bullies' eyeing off their land for public projects
"Bullied" farmers refuse to budge as a new report reveals the state's "draconian" compulsory acquisition system.
Farmer unearths black delicacy for Dark Mofo winter feast
Anna Terry is ready to bring Tasmanian culinary delights to a decadent food display.
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.
Hundreds of deer carcasses left to rot in Tasmania's World Heritage Wilderness Area after cull
Tasmania's first aerial pest control operation aimed at eradicating wild fallow deer nets double the number expected.
These Tasmanian farmers are in a field of their own when it comes to competitive ploughing
Competitive ploughing may appear less intense than your typical winter sport, but the competition is tough, the rivalries are strong, and the pace is about what you would expect.
Farmer among growing group ditching diesel-run machinery for electric vehicles
When farmer Rob McCreath braves the autumn frosts, jumps on his motorbike and heads out to tend to his cows each morning, he can still hear the birds sing.
Climate change pushes emerging Tasmanian wine region into spotlight
Step aside Yarra Valley and Coonawarra, Tassie's traditional dairy and potato heartland is muscling in on the wine scene — with a little help from climate change.
'Labradoodle of the sheep world' Valais blacknose to be bred in Tasmania
Fresh off a plane trip across the Bass Strait, the arrival of a 55-kilogram ewe marks the start of one farming family's long-held dream to become breeders of the "cutest sheep in the world".
'Cutest sheep in the world' arrives in Tasmania
Amy the Valais blacknose, a rare sheep originating from the Swiss Alps, flew into the Devonport Airport on the Pawmobile, where she was greeted by her excited new family.
Duration: 49 seconds