1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2012
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/05/2012
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Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.
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AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
This section includes detailed information on agricultural production in Australia.
The first part covers the gross value of agricultural commodities produced, while the second looks at the value of irrigated production.
The remainder of the section provides detailed data on individual agricultural commodities, including: the areas planted and yields for the major crops grown in Australia; livestock numbers and other information for the main livestock animals produced; and information on the production, value and trade in major livestock products.
GROSS VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES PRODUCED
The following estimates of gross value of agricultural commodities produced (GVACP) are presented in current prices, and therefore changes between years do not show the impact of changes in prices over time.
The contribution of agriculture to the Australian economy can be measured in a number of ways. The most direct measurement available is the gross value of agricultural production. For the year ending 30 June 2010, the gross value of agricultural production, in current prices, was $39.6 billion (table 16.10). On a commodity basis, cattle and calf slaughterings contributed most to the gross value of production ($7.3b), followed by wheat ($4.8b), milk ($3.4b), vegetables ($3.0b), fruit and nuts ($3.0b) and, sheep and lamb slaughterings ($2.6b).
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
(a) Includes value of cotton lint and cotton seed.
(b) Includes pastures, cereals and other crops cut for hay.
(c) Includes nurseries, cut flowers and cultivated turf.
(d) In 2009–10, component commodity items were not collected separately.
(e) Excludes value of wool on skins.
(f) Includes value of dead wool and wool on skins.
Source: Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2009–10 (7503.0).
Table 16.11 shows the gross value of agricultural production by state and territory. The value in 2009–10 was highest for Victoria ($10.3b), followed by Queensland ($9.1b).
^ estimate has a relative standard error of 10% to less than 25% and should be used with caution
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use
np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated
(a) Includes value of cotton lint and cotton seed.
(b) Includes pastures, cereals and other crops cut for hay.
(c) Includes nurseries, cut flowers and cultivated turf.
(d) In 2009–10, component commodity items were not collected separately.
(e) Excludes value of wool on skins.
(f) Includes value of dead wool and wool on skins.
Source: Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2009–10 (7503.0).
GROSS VALUE OF IRRIGATED PRODUCTION
The following estimates of gross value of irrigated agricultural production (GVIAP) are presented in current prices, and therefore changes between years do not show the impact of changes in prices over time.
In 2009–10, irrigated agricultural land comprised less than 1% of all agricultural land in Australia. However, the gross value of production from irrigated land was $11.5 billion, which represented 29% of the total gross value of agricultural production in 2009–10 (table 16.12). The vegetable commodity group was the highest contributor to the total value of irrigated production, at $2,386 million, followed by fruit ($2,242m) and dairy production ($1,826m). These three commodities accounted for 56% of total GVIAP in 2008–09.
Information on use of agricultural water for irrigation can be found in Chapter 2 ENVIRONMENT.
^ estimate has a relative standard error of 10% to less than 25% and should be used with caution
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
(a) Current prices.
(b) Excludes rice.
(c) Includes 'other crops for hay' in 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08. However, in 2004–05 and 2008–09, 'other crops for hay' is included in Other broadacre crops.
(d) Data not collected as a separate data item in 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08.
(e) Includes value of cotton seed.
(f) Includes sugar cane cut for crushing and plants.
(g) Includes fruit trees, nut trees, plantation and berry fruits; excludes grapes.
(h) Excludes nuts.
(i) In 2007–08, production information on Vegetables for Seed was not collected.
(j) Includes value of sheep and lambs slaughtered and value of wool. Includes value of domesticated buffalo and goats slaughtered. Excludes all cattle, pigs, poultry and eggs.
Source: Experimental Estimates of the Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production, 2000–01 to 2009–10 (4610.0.55.008).
CROPS
In 2009–10, 26.0 million hectares were sown to crops, excluding land used for pastures and grasses. Western Australia cropped 8.6 million hectares while New South Wales and South Australia cropped 6.9 million hectares and 4.1 million hectares respectively (table 16.13). Wheat was Australia's biggest crop in terms of area used, with 13.9 million hectares planted, or over half the land area dedicated to cropping (table 16.14). In terms of production, sugar cane for crushing reaped the most plentiful yield, with 80.2 tonnes per hectare.
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
(a) Excludes crops harvested for hay and seed, and pastures and grasses.
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (7121.0).
VEGETABLES(a)
CROPS FOR GRAIN
OTHER CROPS
CITRUS FRUITS
POME(d)
OTHER FRUIT AND NUTS
(a) Vegetable data for 2007–08 are sourced from a supplementary Vegetable Survey.
(b) Includes brown, red and white onions.
(c) Includes fresh market and processing.
(d) Apples and Pears data for 2007–08 are sourced from a supplementary Apples and Pears Survey.
(e) Includes Nashi pears.
(f) Area refers to area of bearing age.
Source: Agricultural Commodities Australia (7121.0).
In Australia, cereals are divided into autumn-winter-spring growing (winter cereals) and spring-summer-autumn growing (summer cereals). In temperate regions, winter cereals such as wheat, oats, barley and rye are often grown in rotation with pastures, such as subterranean clover, medics or lucerne, and with other winter crops such as canola, field peas and lupins. Rice, maize and sorghum are summer cereals, often grown in rotation with winter cereals in some areas.
Table 16.15 shows production and area planted for major broadacre crops by state.
BARLEY
np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated
^ estimate has a relative standard error of 10% to less than 25% and should be used with caution
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use
– nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) Includes all states and territories.
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (7121.0).
Wheat
Wheat is produced in all states but primarily on the mainland in a narrow crescent known as the ‘wheat belt’. Inland of the Great Dividing Range, the wheat belt stretches in a curve from central Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria and southern South Australia. In Western Australia, the wheat belt continues around the south-west of the state and some way north, along the western edge of the continent.
Graph 16.16 shows wheat production in Australia from 1910 to 2010.
In 2009–10, farmers planted 13.9 million hectares to wheat and harvested 21.8 million tonnes. Western Australia planted and harvested the most wheat followed by New South Wales and South Australia (table 16.15 and graph 16.17).
New varieties of wheat have enabled it to be grown in more marginal areas. In particular, the development of dual purpose winter wheat varieties which, like oats, allow grazing of the plant up to a few months prior to harvest, have become very popular in some areas.
Oats
Oats are traditionally grown in moist, temperate regions. However, improved varieties and management practices have enabled oats to be grown over a wider range of soil and climatic conditions. Oats have a high fodder feed value and, with the exception of dual purpose varieties of wheat, produce a greater bulk of growth than other winter cereals. They need less cultivation, and respond well to superphosphate and nitrogen. Oats have two main uses – as a grain crop and as a fodder crop. Fodder crops can be grazed in the initial stages of growth and then locked up for a period prior to harvesting for grain, or cut for hay, silage or chaff.
The majority of Australian oats harvested for grain are used domestically for stock feed purposes. A small proportion of high quality grain is used either domestically or exported for human consumption.
In 2009–10, farmers planted 850,000 hectares of oats and harvested 1.2 million tonnes. Western Australia produced the most oats (493,000 tonnes), followed by Victoria (300,000 tonnes) (table 16.15 and graph 16.18).
Barley
Barley has two main groups of varieties, 2-row and 6-row (the number of rows referring to the number of rows of seed on each stalk). The former is generally, but not exclusively, preferred for malting purposes. Barley is grown principally as a grain crop, although in some areas it is used as a fodder crop for grazing, with grain being subsequently harvested if conditions are suitable. It is often grown as a rotation crop with wheat, oats and pasture. As barley has a short growing period, it may provide quick grazing or timely fodder supplies when other sources are not available. Barley grain may be crushed to meal for stock feed or sold for malting.
In 2009–10, 7.9 million tonnes of barley were harvested from 4.4 million hectares (table 16.15 and graph 16.19). The largest areas planted were in Western Australia (1.4 million ha), followed by South Australia and Victoria (each with nearly 1.0 million ha). Production was highest in Western Australia with 2.6 million tonnes, followed by South Australia and Victoria, with 2.1 million tonnes and 1.9 million tonnes respectively.
Grain sorghum
Grain sorghum is used primarily as stock feed and is an important source for supplementing other coarse grains for this purpose.
Grain sorghum was only grown in significant quantities during 2009–10 in Queensland and New South Wales, with Queensland growing 926,000 tonnes on 333,000 hectares and New South Wales growing 581,000 tonnes on 164,000 ha (table 16.15).
Rice
Almost all of Australia's rice is grown in New South Wales, with production centred in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Rice production is largely dependent on supplies of irrigation water.
In 2009–10, rice plantings covered 19,000 hectares and produced 197,000 tonnes (table 16.15).
Canola
Canola is Australia's most commonly grown oilseed crop and is used for the production of oil and as a protein source in stock feed. Over the three years, 2007–08 to 2009–10, canola accounted for over 90% of the value of all oilseed production. Canola was first planted in Australia in 1980 but it was not until the late 1980s that high yielding blackleg-resistant varieties became available. By the early 1990s, production was becoming more widespread and canola was emerging as the main oilseed crop. From a production level of 70,000 tonnes in 1990–91, a record high of 2.8 million tonnes was achieved nine years later in 1999–2000. In 2009–10, farmers harvested 1.9 million tonnes, a slight increase on the previous year (table 16.14). Western Australia produced 54% of the total canola production for Australia (table 16.15 and graph 16.20).
Cotton
Cotton is grown mainly in inland areas of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, primarily for its fibre (lint), and relies heavily on irrigation water to produce profitable yields. When the cotton is mature, seed cotton is taken to a gin where it is separated (ginned) into cotton lint and cotton seed. The lint is used for yarn while the cotton seed is further processed at an oil mill, where the short fibres (linters) remaining on the cotton seed after ginning are removed. These fibres are too short to make into cloth, but are used for wadding, upholstery and paper. The seeds are then separated into kernels and hulls. The hulls are used for stock feed and as fertiliser, while the kernels are crushed to extract oil. The oilcake residue (crushed kernels) is ground into meal and used as a stock feed.
In 2009–10, cotton lint production was estimated at 352,000 tonnes from 196,000 hectares harvested (table 16.14). New South Wales was the dominant growing state, with 61% of total production (214,000 tonnes) on 109,000 hectares (table 16.15). Queensland harvested 88,000 hectares and produced 138,000 tonnes of cotton lint.
Sugar cane
Sugar cane is grown commercially in Australia along the east coast over a distance of more than 2,000 kilometres from Maclean in northern New South Wales to Mossman in Queensland. In 2009–10, a total of 389,000 hectares of sugar cane was cut for crushing (table 16.14).
More than 90% (29.3 million tonnes) of the 31.2 million tonnes of sugar cane cut in 2009–10 was grown in Queensland from 370,000 hectares (table 16.15).
Vegetables
Australia produces an extremely wide variety of vegetables. Many vegetables, such as spring onions, mushrooms and fresh tomatoes are grown close to major capital cities, taking advantage of proximity to markets and low transport costs. However, the majority of vegetables are produced in the major irrigation areas of each state and territory, where access to land and water are the key drivers of investment.
In 2009–10, potatoes were by far the largest vegetable crop in terms of both area and production, covering 36,400 hectares and producing 1.3 million tonnes (table 16.14). South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria produced over 75% of the total potato crop. Tomato production ranked second, with Victoria and Queensland producing over 80% of the 472,000 tonnes grown nationally.
Fruit (excluding grapes)
A wide variety of fruit is grown in Australia, ranging from tropical fruit such as mangoes and bananas in the north to pome, stone and berry fruits in temperate regions. The most significant crops in terms of production weight in 2009–10 were oranges, bananas and apples (table 16.14).
Wine grapes
Grapes are a temperate crop optimally requiring rainfall during the winter period and warm to hot conditions for ripening. In addition, most grape producers in Australia use irrigation water to supplement rainfall. An absence of late spring frosts is essential to prevent the loss of developing fruit. Grapes are grown for winemaking, drying and table use. The better known grape producing areas are the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Riverland, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra (all in South Australia); Sunraysia and the Yarra Valley (Victoria); the Hunter and Riverina (New South Wales); the Swan Valley and Margaret River (Western Australia); and the Tamar Valley and Coal River Valley (Tasmania).
In 2009–10, Australia's vineyards produced 1.5 million tonnes of wine grapes on 152,000 hectares of bearing vines. Table 16.21 shows information on wine grape production, including the area of vines and the quantity of grapes produced. South Australia produced 48% of the total grape harvest, with 731,000 tonnes, while New South Wales (443,000 tonnes) and Victoria (284,000 tonnes) also produced large quantities (table 16.22).
(b) Total area of grapes refers to the area of vines at harvest and includes bearing area and not yet bearing area.
(c) Area of varieties removed by grubbing, grafting off or abandoning to die, after the 2009 harvest but before the 2010 harvest.
(d) Production for winemaking or distillation (fresh weight).
(e) Yield represents the quantity of grapes produced per hectare of bearing vines.
Source: Vineyards Estimates, Australia, 2009–10 (1329.0.55.002).
RED WINE GRAPES
WHITE WINE GRAPES
TOTAL WINE GRAPES
(b) Production for winemaking or distillation (fresh weight).
(c) Yield represents the quantity of grapes produced per hectare of bearing vines.
Source: Vineyards Estimates, Australia, 2009–10 (1329.0.55.002).
LIVESTOCK
Cattle, sheep and pigs are the main livestock grown in Australia and have been present since the earliest days of European settlement.
Table 16.23 shows the number of cattle, sheep and lambs, and pigs in Australia as at 30 June, from 2008 to 2010.
(b) Includes bulls, steers and calves.
(c) Includes dairy and meat cattle for all purposes.
(d) Includes maiden ewes intended for breeding.
(e) Includes rams, marked lambs, wethers, hoggets and non-breeding ewes.
(f) Including boars, gilts, suckers, weaners, growers and finishers.
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (7121.0).
^ estimate has a relative standard error of 10% to less than 25% and should be used with caution
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
(a) Includes heifers 1 to 2 years, heifers over 2 years, and other dairy cattle (calves, bulls and bull calves).
(b) Includes bulls, steers and calves.
(c) Includes dairy and meat cattle for all purposes.
(d) Includes maiden ewes intended for breeding.
(e) Includes rams, marked lambs, wethers, hoggets and non-breeding ewes.
(f) Including boars, gilts, suckers, weaners, growers and finishers.
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (7121.0).
Cattle
Cattle farming occurs in all states and territories. While dairy cattle are mainly found in southern and coastal districts, beef cattle are concentrated in Queensland and New South Wales.
Beef cattle production is often combined with cropping, dairying and sheep production. In the northern half of Australia, cattle properties and herd sizes are very large, pastures are generally unimproved, fodder crops are rare and beef is usually the only product. The industry is more intensive in the south, with higher stocking rates per hectare, improved pastures and use of fodder crops, rotational grazing practices and increased inputs such as fertiliser and animal health products. The beef cattle farming industry remained the largest sector in 2009–10, comprising nearly a third of businesses classified to the agriculture industry.
Cattle numbers in Australia increased to a peak of 32.7 million in 1976, after which seasonal conditions and profitability saw numbers drop dramatically. For the five years from 1984, the size of the herd remained relatively stable. Between 1989 and 1998, cattle numbers increased gradually, despite unfavourable weather conditions continuing in many parts of Australia. After a slight decline in 1999, cattle numbers increased to 27.9 million in 2002. Dry conditions over much of the country in 2002–03 saw cattle numbers fall but improved conditions in some regions in the following three years resulted in the national herd reaching a 30-year high of 28.4 million head in 2005–06. A return to drier weather has since seen numbers decline.
By 30 June 2010, the Australian cattle herd numbered 26.6 million head, consisting of 2.5 million milk cattle and 24.0 million meat cattle (table 16.23). Victoria had the most milk cattle (1.6 million) while Queensland grazed the most meat cattle (11.2 million) (table 16.24).
Graph 16.25 shows total cattle (milk and meat) numbers in Australia from 1890–2010.
Sheep
Sheep and lamb numbers reached a peak of 180 million in Australia in 1970. Poor market prospects for wool after 1990 had a marked impact on the flock size, with numbers generally falling until 2003, when there were 99 million head. Following a slight recovery in 2004 and 2005, sheep and lamb numbers had fallen to 68 million head by 2010 – their lowest level since 1905.
In 2010, New South Wales carried the most stock with 24.4 million head, followed by Western Australia (14.7 million) and Victoria (14.4 million) (table 16.24).
Graph 16.26 shows total sheep and lamb numbers in Australia from 1890 to 2010.
Pigs
Pig farming is a highly intensive industry. The majority of pigs are grown in specially designed sheds that provide a controlled environment conducive to the efficient production of large numbers of animals.
In 2010, pigs numbered 2.3 million head, with New South Wales and Queensland the dominant states (585,000 head and 583,000 head respectively), followed by Victoria (510,000 head) (table 16.24).
Poultry
Poultry farming is also a highly intensive industry, with the majority of poultry raised in large sheds that provide the birds with a stable environment protected from the elements. The poultry farming industry consists of two streams – meat production and egg production. Both are major users of feed grains. Egg production has begun to move towards layer hens being housed in non-caged systems. In June 2010, poultry farmers were holding 71.3 million chickens for meat production and 11.7 million for egg production (table 16.27).
At the end of 2009–10, New South Wales had the highest number of chickens for both meat production and egg production (table 16.28).
– nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated
^ estimate has a relative standard error of 10% to less than 25% and should be used with caution
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia (7121.0).
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
Milk
Dairying is a major Australian agricultural industry. The estimated gross value of dairy production at farm-gate prices in 2009–10 was $3.4 billion (table 16.29), which was a 15% decrease on the previous year.
Most dairy production occurs in high rainfall coastal fringe areas where climate and natural resources allow production to be based on year-round pasture grazing. This enables efficient, low-cost milk production. With the exception of several inland river schemes, pasture growth generally depends on natural rainfall. Feedlot-based dairying is expanding, although, as at 30 June 2010, it was still uncommon.
Australian milk production decreased by 365 million litres (ML), or 3.9%, to 9.0 billion litres in 2009–10. This reflected benign conditions and strong milk prices in the domestically focused northern states, but also low milk prices and financial challenges in the export-focused south-east. The irrigated regions of southern New South Wales and northern Victoria also faced another year of difficult conditions in 2009–10, with low water allocations and milk production suffering accordingly.
Average annual per person milk consumption has stabilised at around 100 litres since the mid 1980s. According to data from Dairy Australia, during 2009–10, Australians consumed 102.4 litres of milk, 12.9 kilograms of cheese, 7.1 kilograms of yoghurt and 3.8 kilograms of butter/butter blends per person.
Meat production and slaughterings
Tables 16.30 and 16.31 show details of slaughterings and meat production from abattoirs, and from commercial poultry and other slaughtering establishments. The data relate only to slaughtering for human consumption and do not include animals condemned or those killed for boiling down.
Production of beef (excluding veal) in 2010–11 was virtually static at 2.1 million tonnes (table 16.31).
In 2010–11, lamb production decreased 21,000 tonnes (5%) to 391,000 tonnes while mutton production decreased 39,000 tonnes (24%) to 123,000 tonnes.
Significant changes have taken place in the pig meat producing industry in recent years. Capital investment and corporate takeovers have seen the emergence of a few large companies that produce a significant proportion of all pig meat sold in Australia. These moves, and the trend to more intensive and efficient production techniques, have seen pig meat production rise steadily since the mid 1970s, when production dipped to a low of 174,000 tonnes. There was an increase of 3% in pig meat production to 342,000 tonnes in 2010–11.
Source: Livestock Products, Australia (7215.0).
Table 16.32 shows the gross value of livestock slaughterings over recent years. The 2009–10 value of total slaughterings and other disposals decreased by 1% to $12.7 billion. Poultry slaughterings decreased by 4% in 2009–10 to $1.8 billion, while cattle and calf slaughterings decreased by 2% to $7.3 billion.
Source: Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia (7503.0).
Table 16.33 shows the volume of exports of fresh, chilled or frozen meat. In 2010–11, beef was again Australia's major meat export with shipments of bone-out beef being the major component at 921,400 tonnes, 4% more than the previous year. Exports of bone-in lamb increased by 3% in 2010–11 and exports of pork meat increased by 3%.
(b) Export data may be subject to revision.
(c) Includes buffalo meat.
(d) Cured carcass weight, and stated net weight of packs of canned bacon and ham.
(e) Canned meat excludes bacon and ham.
Source: Livestock Products, Australia (7215.0).
(b) Gross value divided by the number of animals exported.
Source: Livestock Products, Australia (7215.0).
Wool
Australia is the world's largest wool producer, accounting for about a quarter of total global production. In the last twenty years or so, wool production has more than halved, to around 353,000 tonnes in 2009–10. Almost all of Australia's wool is exported, the major markets being China (excludes SARs and Taiwan), Italy and India.
Graph 16.35 shows total wool production for the years 1911 to 1973 and then shorn wool production from 1974 onwards.
Shorn greasy wool contains an appreciable quantity of grease, dirt, vegetable matter and other material. The exact quantities of these impurities in the fleece vary with climatic and pastoral conditions, seasonal fluctuations and the breed and condition of the sheep. However, it is the clean wool fibre that is ultimately consumed by the textile industry, and the term 'clean yield' is used to express the net wool fibre content present in greasy wool.
The gross value of wool produced in 2009–10 increased 7% on the previous year to $1.9 billion (table 16.36), approaching a third of the $5.9 billion recorded in 1988–89, the peak year in the wool boom of the 1980s.
Source: Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia (7503.0); ABS data available on request.
The total quantities of taxable wool received by brokers and purchased by dealers in recent years are shown in table 16.37. They exclude wool received by brokers on which tax had already been paid by other dealers (private buyers) or brokers.
Source: Livestock Products, Australia (7215.0).