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EXPLANATORY NOTES


INTRODUCTION

1 This publication provides estimates of stocks of wheat, barley and selected other grains and pulses held by bulk grain handlers. These estimates are compiled from the Grain Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

2 Information in this publication can also be found in the corresponding month's issue of Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0).


SCOPE AND COVERAGE

3 From March 2009, the Grain Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) has been conducted on a monthly basis. Wheat estimates are published monthly and estimates for barley, selected other grains and pulses are published quarterly.

4 The scope and coverage of the GHSS is all major bulk grain handlers. The collection does not attempt to measure the total amount of grain held in storage facilities in Australia. Regional or small storage operators are not represented in these statistics.

5 The quantity of grain by type was collected from the major operators of grain storage facilities in Australia. Data relating to grade and location (at state/territory level) of storage is only collected for wheat grain. Only quantities actually held in storage facilities operated (whether owned or leased) by the selected business, regardless of grain ownership, were collected from each business.

6 The quantity of grain shown does not include grain stored on farms across Australia, i.e. businesses which are classified to subdivision 01 "Agriculture" of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).


WHEAT GRADE

7 Wheat grain is graded by quality to determine whether it is suitable for human or animal consumption. The wheat grain classes used in Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Grain Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia (cat. no. 7122.0.55.001) are 'milling' and 'feed'. While grain quality is graded beyond these two broad level categories, respondents to the survey were only asked to classify their stocks of wheat grain at the broad level.


ROUNDING

8 Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.


GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

9 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.


ABS DATA AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

10 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 the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.


RELATED PUBLICATIONS

11 Additional information relating to grain stocks, including quality, is published in Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0).

12 A range of other publications relevant to the Agriculture sector are produced by the ABS, including:

• Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0)
• Livestock and Meat, Australia (cat. no. 7218.0.55.001)
• Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0)
• Principal Agricultural Commodities, Australia, Preliminary (cat. no. 7111.0)
• Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced Australia (cat. no. 7503.0)
• Water Use on Australian Farms (cat. no. 4618.0)