Here are the top stories from one of Tasmania's biggest economic drivers from the past 12 months.

Dry winter and spring conditions have exacerbated another 12 months for Northern Tasmanian farmers, particularly those on the East Coast.

Prolonged dry conditions on the East Coast prompted Tasmania Fire Service to bring forward the fire permit period for Break O'Day, Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Sorell council areas to September 28.

Even with up to 150 millimetres of rainfall for parts of the East Coast so far this month, the long-term rainfall deficiency is about 400 millimetres meaning the region remains in drought-like conditions.

TFGA chief executive Peter Skillern said the announcement was good for East Coast farmers in particular who were struggling with dry conditions.

"Rainfall in this area has been sparse with relatively no sub-soil moisture which has resulted in the likelihood of a poor season'," he said.

Climate change is a divisive issue, but second-generation East Coast farmer Henry Dunbabin sees it with his own eyes every single day.

He has lived on the land his whole life and recently took over leasing the sheep side of his family's farm.

Climate change has taken its toll on the farm, the flock is about half the size it used to be and while there is access to irrigation, it would mean a sizable investment to ensure adequate supply.

Farmers reliant on the South-East Irrigation Scheme had their water halved in November as the result of supply issues in November, but that decision was reversed days later due to backlash.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said he had been advised, due to operational issues coupled with exceptionally dry conditions, TasWater's supplies to irrigators have been restricted while maintaining drinking water supplies.

Tasmanian Alkaloids was singled out in an Oklahoma District Court judgement as the main supplier of raw opium to Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers at the height of an opioid addiction epidemic in the United States.

The court in August ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $847 million to carry out an abatement plan in Oklahoma - a decision the company intends to appeal.

Tasmanian Alkaloids, along with Noramco, were subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson from the 1980s until their sale in 2016, and were a part of the company at a time when opioids were being aggressively marketed in the US.

However, a Tasmanian poppy farmer says any suggestion local farmers could be partly to blame for the opioid addiction crisis in the United States is "absolutely ridiculous".

Sassafras poppy farmer Rick Rockliff said Tasmanian farmers should not be held responsible in any way for the opioid crisis.

"I think with them trying to blame Tasmanian farmers is absolutely ridiculous. Tasmanian Farmers and Tasmanian Alkaloids operated completely within the law," he said.

"We provide legal pain control for many people around the world that needed it. Some people abused it, and I can't see how they can possibly hold anyone in Tasmania responsible for that."

Wage negotiations for potato growers for supplier Simplot ensured a tense few months, with negotiations running between July and August.

However, more than 80 potato growers felt a sense of relief when receiving Simplot's second offer, TFGA vegetable council chairman Nathan Richardson said.

The offer was proposed at a meeting in Deloariane on Tuesday night and will see a $35 per tonne increase for all varieties of potatoes in the upcoming season and a minimum $10 per tonne increase next year.

Simplot's first offer of a $20 per tonne price increase was knocked back by the growers in July.

"There's a lot of growers out there that simply weren't making money out of potatoes. This increase doesn't mean they will be able to buy the farm next door but what it means is they have the ability to plan where they want to go," Mr Richardson said.

A $3.3 million cool store extension at Agronico at Spreyton will allow the seed potato company to double production and hire more locals.

At the opening in August, chief executive Robert Graham said the site now had 18 cool store rooms, which meant the company was looking for more staff.

"Agronico's permanent staff has grown from less than 10 to almost 20 in the past five years, as well as up to 16 casual employees. We are currently looking for additional staff to help with the growth."

The 56 x 67 meter extension to the coolstore had been driven by demand.

"All our growth in the past five years has come from mainland customers," Mr Graham said. "The mainland has had some disease challenges. So far Tasmania is through it, and it's a great opportunity to market seed potatoes to the mainland."

Braddon Liberal MP Gavin Pearce said companies like Agronico did far more than just growing seed potato.

"As well as providing technical advice, research and development and skill development, there is a surety they give to growers.

"They provide jobs and well being for their staff, they do a lot for the industry through tissue cultivation and disease resistance and biosecurity measures.

We're raising funds for four Tasmanian charities as part of our Empty Stocking Appeal. Can you help?