VIEW FROM THE TOP PADDOCK


Welcome to the last edition of the Ag Mag for 2011. How can the festive season be upon us already? It appears to be true that the busier we are, the faster the time flashes by. Lots of things continue to happen here in the top paddock including the continued processing of the Agricultural Census as well as other regular surveys and preparing for the future through a Survey Program Review. All in all, everyone here is flat out ensuring that we are able to continue producing quality data from this year's survey program, and preparing for next year. The fun never stops!

Since last putting pen to paper the preliminary estimates from the Agricultural Census have been published, including estimates of area of production, quantities of production and the gross value of agricultural production for approximately 40 commodities. We are very pleased that we have been able to publish area, production and value estimates at the same time this year and believe this will enhance the usability of the data greatly. Please let us know what you think. There is more about those preliminary estimates, which you will find as you read through this edition. We have now swung onto processing all the other commodities and pieces of information which will be available from the Agricultural Census and will be publishing final estimates from June 2012.

You will also find an article about our Survey Program Review in this edition of the mag. We are seeking input into our future work program to ensure we remain as relevant as possible. We are expecting more demand than we can satisfy, but don't let that stop you from sending in a submission and putting your priorities on the table. We will be progressing work in the new year to analyse submissions and define our proposed work program as we move forward.

I can almost hear the sleigh bells jingling, so it is time for us to sign off for now. We hope that you and yours have a safe and happy festive season, whatever that brings to your paddock. Enjoy this edition of the Ag Mag and the long daylight of summer. Until next edition ...

Helen Baird and Cherie Poulton
Directors, Environment and Agriculture Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics