The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is partnering with industry and other stakeholders to co-design methods to produce agricultural statistics using new data sources.
Traditionally, agriculture area and production statistics are produced by the ABS through an annual agricultural survey or the five yearly agricultural census which collects information directly from farm businesses.
Agriculture value of production information is produced through a variety of methods, including annual survey collections.
These experimental canola estimates demonstrate that non-survey data sources can produce accurate statistics at a level of regional detail normally only available every five years from the Agricultural Census. These experimental canola estimates are an extension of previous experimental work undertaken for producing sugarcane statistics.
The ABS plan to refine this experimental approach to producing canola statistics, with the aim of adopting this methodology to produce official canola statistics. This will reduce the reporting burden for farmers, and industry, through the eventual removal of canola questions from the suite of ABS agricultural surveys.
Work is underway to extend similar approaches to use administrative data for other agricultural statistics.
If you are interested in being part of the conversation about modernising the production of official agricultural statistics, please get in touch with us via email: agriculture.statistics@abs.gov.au