7121.0 - Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2009-10 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/04/2011   
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MEDIA RELEASE
11 April, 2011
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra Time)
46/2011

Broadacre crop production up, livestock numbers down

Compared to the previous year, production of many broadacre crops increased slightly while livestock numbers declined, according to 2009-10 figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.

Production of wheat, oats and canola increased slightly when compared to 2008-09. Cotton lint and rice production continued to improve, though rice production remains at historically low levels. Sorghum production fell to 1.5 million tonnes, due mainly to a 35% decrease in area planted.

Meat cattle numbers fell to 24 million from 2008-09 and dairy cattle numbers have continued their decline since industry deregulation, falling to 2.5 million head.

Sheep numbers remain at their lowest level since 1905 and pig numbers have remained steady, but at decade-low levels.

Key crop movements:

  • Wheat production up 2% to 22 million tonnes
  • Lupin production up 16% to 823 thousand tonnes
  • Banana production up 13% to 302 thousand tonnes
  • Cotton lint production up 14% to 352 thousand tonnes
  • Sorghum down 44% to 1.5 million tonnes
  • Onions down 8% to 260 thousand tonnes

Livestock:
  • Milk cattle numbers down 3% to 2.5 million head
  • Meat cattle numbers down 5% to 24 million head
  • Sheep and lamb numbers down 6% to 68 million head
  • Meat chicken numbers down 14% to 71 million

Media notes:
  • The Agricultural Census will be run in 2011. The information collected from the farming community via the census will play a vital role in supporting the development and monitoring of Australia's agricultural, natural resource and water policies. Find out more
  • Please ensure when reporting ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.