INTRODUCTION
1 This publication contains preliminary estimates of principal agricultural commodities and livestock numbers for the 2002-03 season, intended ewe matings for the forthcoming season, and comparative data for earlier years. These results are based on a response rate of approximately 64% of establishments from the 2003 Agricultural Survey, and is comparable with the response rates of previous years' preliminary estimates.
SCOPE AND COVERAGE
2 Estimates in this publication are based on information obtained from the Agricultural Survey conducted at 30 June 2003.
3 The scope of the 2002-03 Agricultural Survey is establishments undertaking agricultural activity having an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more. This is the same as the scope for Agricultural Censuses from 1993-94 to 1996-97 and for 2000-01, and for the Agricultural Surveys from 1997-98 to 1999-2000 and for 2001-02. Prior to 1993-94 the scope has varied and these details are available on request.
GENERAL
4 The estimates for earlier years shown in this publication have been revised where necessary.
5 Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES (SAMPLE ERROR)
6 The estimates in this publication are based on information obtained from a sample drawn from the total farm population in scope of the collection, and are subject to sampling variability; that is, they may differ from the figures that would have been produced if all farms had been included in the Agricultural Survey. One measure of the likely difference is given by the standard error (SE), which indicates the extent to which an estimate might vary by chance because only a sample was taken. There are about two chances in three that a 'sample' estimate will differ by less than one SE from the figure that would have been obtained if all farms had responded, and about nineteen chances in twenty that the difference will be less than two SEs.
7 In this publication, 'sampling' variability of the estimates is measured by the relative standard error (RSE) which is obtained by expressing the SE as a percentage of the estimate to which it refers.
8 Most published estimates have RSEs less than 5%. For some states with limited production of certain commodities, RSEs are greater than 10%. Estimates that have an estimated RSE between 10% and 25% are annotated with the symbol '^'. These estimates should be used with caution as they are subject to sampling variability too high for some purposes. Estimates with an RSE between 25% and 50% are annotated with the symbol '*', indicating that the estimate should be used with caution as it is subject to sampling error too high for most practical purposes. Estimates with an RSE greater than 50% are annotated with the symbol '**', indicating that the sampling variability causes the estimates to be considered too unreliable for general use. Separate indication of the RSEs of all estimates is available on request.
RELATIVE STANDARD ERROR OF SELECTED COMMODITIES - At 30 June 2003
 | NSW | Vic. | Qld | SA | WA | Tas. | NT | ACT | Aust. |
 Commodity | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
|
 | | | | | | | | | |
| Barley for grain production | 6.6 | 4.9 | 10.8 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 5.7 | . . | - | 2.1 |
| Grain sorghum production | 11.8 | 48.6 | 5.9 | . . | 55.6 | . . | - | - | 5.7 |
| Oats for grain production | 6.9 | 6.6 | 25.6 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 9.1 | . . | - | 3.7 |
| Wheat for grain production | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 7.1 | . . | - | 1.6 |
| Lupins for grain production | 10.1 | 14.6 | - | 10.9 | 6.2 | 12.7 | . . | - | 5.2 |
| Canola production | 5.6 | 6.6 | 20.1 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 4.3 | . . | - | 3.7 |
| Sugar cane cut for crushing production | 8.0 | . . | 3.7 | . . | 8.4 | . . | . . | . . | 4.0 |
| Total milk cattle | 4.8 | 6.8 | 9.9 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 7.9 | - | - | 4.5 |
| Total meat cattle | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 7.3 | 4.7 | - | - | 2.3 |
| Total sheep and lambs | 3.1 | 3.5 | 8.5 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | - | - | 1.6 |
| Total pigs | 4.6 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 9.8 | - | . . | 3.5 |
|
ABS DATA AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
9 As well as the statistics included in this and related publications, the ABS may have other relevant data available on request. Inquiries should be made to Gordon Cameron on (03) 6222 5939 or the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.
GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
10 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated. Without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
11 A range of agricultural publications is produced by the ABS, including:
- Agricultural Commodities, Australia, cat. no. 7121.0
- Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, cat. no. 7218.0.55.001
- Livestock Products, Australia, cat. no. 7215.0
- Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, cat. no. 7503.0
- Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, cat. no. 7501.0
12 Current publications and other products released by the ABS are listed in the Catalogue of Publications and Products (cat. no. 1101.0). The Catalogue is available from any ABS office or the ABS web site. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the web site which details products to be released in the week ahead.
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