Armed criminals are targeting regional areas and farms shooting and butchering animals on-site, according to the state's peak farming body which believes the thefts are linked to a black meat market.
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Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association president Ian Sauer said farmers are experiencing increased instances of rural theft, including livestock, and farming tools and machinery.
He said this had led to farmers becoming proactive against crime, installing CCTV cameras, boom-gates and replacing gates with more fencing to limit access to land.
"There is certainly an increase in sheep and cattle stealing, and that may well be associated with high meat prices and a black meat market," Mr Sauer said.
"The farming network hears the anecdotal comments, that someone was selling cheap steak in such-and-such a pub...there has always been a correlation when meat prices go up then meat theft goes up as well."
Mr Sauer pleaded with the public to report any offers of cheap meat or tools to Tasmania Police, and reminded farmers to remain vigilant and report all suspicious activity.
"There was a significant theft in the Central Highlands of up to 30 head of cattle, in other areas there has been sheep theft, and reports of animals being shot and butchered on farm in the North of the state," he said.
"There are also reports of people coming onto farm and casing the joint out, going in with an excuse that they are looking for something. There is still a bit of illegal shooting and poaching going on."
Mr Sauer said there were safety issues, and a financial loss associated with such crimes.
"We are finding that some of these people are armed, especially the ones that are hunting, so that is a problem...it is seriously unpleasant for the landowner to either confront them or find out that they've been robbed or that someone has been through their shed or house," he said.
Tasmania Police Northern CIB Detective Inspector Craig Fox said there was no increase in serious crime in regional areas, and police data showed a decrease in property crimes and a slight increase in offences against a person.
He added that there had been three reports of livestock theft in the North, and one report on the North West since July.
He said these are not huge numbers but no doubt had a high impact on the farmers involved.
"Sometimes it goes unreported. If farmers are experiencing loss or theft of livestock...we encourage them to be reported to police," Detective Inspector Fox said.
"Another thing for rural areas is the safe storage of firearms. People will commit burglaries to obtain firearms, so anyone who has a firearm needs to make sure their storage meets all the requirements."
Detective Inspector Fox said theft in regional areas affected rural communities' livelihoods and their ability to run their business.
"Definitely be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. We would rather you report it and we investigate it, and we find it wasn't suspcious, than to not report it at all," he said.
"If something is occurring at the time report it at the time on 131444 and a police operator will dispatch a unit to investigate it at that time.
"If it is something that you have information on, something that is not urgent or past tense as in it happened yesterday, then call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000."
Mr Sauer reminded the public to think of the farmers when coming across black market meat.
"If someone is offered meat, or a cheap chainsaw or a cheap toolbox, don't take it. Tell the Police," he said.
"It is all about supply and demand, and if you can suppress the demand, then do it."
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