There were an estimated 15,816 businesses undertaking agricultural activity in South Australia at 30 June 2007. A large number were engaged in grain growing, with an estimated 2,766 engaged in this as their main activity. An estimated 50.1 million hectares or 51% of South Australia's land area (98.3 million hectares) was used for agricultural activity in 2006-07. Just under 9% of South Australia's agricultural land was used for cropping.

Industry	Number
Grain growing	2 766
Grain-sheep/grain-beef cattle farming	2 437
Grape growing	2 250
Beef cattle farming (specialised)	1 501
Sheep farming (specialised)	1 456
All other industries	5 405
Total all industries	15 816

(a) Refers to farm establishments with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $5,000 or more.
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).


In 2006-07, South Australia had the largest vineyard area and greatest grape production of any state and the second largest citrus industry. South Australia is also a significant vegetable producer with the main vegetable crops grown including potatoes, onions and carrots. South Australia is a major grain grower, accounting for more barley production than most other states in recent years.

	Production '000 t		Area '000 ha		Yield t/ha
Wheat	1 446		2 173		0.7
Barley	996		1 193		0.8
Grapes(a)	586		73		8.4
Potatoes	364		9		39.0
Onions	91		2		50.0
Carrots	65		1		68.0

(a) Yield represents the quantity of grapes produced per hectare of bearing vines.
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).


In 2006-07, the gross value of agricultural production for South Australia was $3.7 billion, a decrease of 16.3% on 2005-06. Crop production contributed $2,247.7m or 60.9% of the total value of agricultural production, while livestock slaughterings and disposals were valued at $895.0m (24.3%) and livestock products were valued at $547.1m (14.8%).

	Total crops(a) ($m)	Total livestock slaughterings & other disposals ($m)	Total livestock products ($m)	Total agriculture ($m)
2005-06	3 093.6	845.8	469.7	4 409.2
2006-07	2 247.7	895.0	547.1	3 689.8

(a) Includes pastures and grasses, vegetables, fruits and nuts.
Source: Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia (cat. no. 7503.0).

This section contains the following subsection :

Agriculture and the economy

Livestock and livestock products

Land management and water use

Fruit

Broadacre crops

Vegetables

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