AGRICULTURE in the Glenelg Shire has contributed nearly $380 million to a sector which has grown by 17 per cent nationwide in gross value in the last financial year, according to the latest Agricultural Census.

However, the data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed Victoria was the only state where the agricultural commodities decreased in value – by nearly $300 million.

Cattle and sheep were by far the most valuable commodities for the Glenelg Shire and made up more than two thirds of the sector’s value in the region, at $152.6 million and $104.6 million each.

Along with other livestock slaughters such as pigs and poultry, they made up a total $261.6 million.

Livestock products were worth $94 million, of which milk made up more than half.

Crops had a total value of $22.7 million, including $9.2 million worth of hay.

Broadacre crops were worth $4.1 million, nurseries and cultivated turf worth $3.9 million and fruit and nuts valued at $1.4 million.

Strawberries were the most valuable fruit at nearly $650,000 and grapes were worth more than $510,000, while olives were worth just $35,000.

Vegetables were valued at $4.1 million, more than 99 per cent of which came from potatoes.

Victorian agriculture had value of $17.5 billion, down from $17.8 billion in the 2019-20 financial year.

However, the state made gains in crop values from $7.7 billion to $8.2 billion.

Livestock disposals were worth $5.6 billion – down nine per cent from the previous financial year – and wool, milk and eggs had a combined value of $3.8 billion – down four per cent.

The drop in livestock values was a similar story nationwide, with slaughters and products combined decreasing five per cent to $31 billion.

Cattle and sheep disposals both dropped in value from the previous year’s record highs while poultry and pigs experienced small increases.

The ABS attributed reduced livestock disposals to farmers using the improved seasonal conditions and better pastures to rebuild their stocks.

Crops had a boom season with a 41 per cent increase to $40 billion, owing to improved seasonal conditions in much of the country.

Wheat and canola doubled in value while cotton increased by five times its 2019-20 value.

Australian agriculture had a total value of $71 billion, up from $61 billion the previous year.

Australia had 387 million hectares of agricultural land, of which 332 million hectares was used for grazing and 32 million for cropping.

The ABS reported while some agricultural businesses noted impacts of Covid-19, the easing of drought conditions allowed for improved agricultural production across the 2020-21 financial year.

Strong outlook for sheep industry

SHEEP producers are reporting good growth in their portion of the agricultural sector, with latest data showing the national breeding flock increasing by 500,000 ewes since last year.

The Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Wool Innovation’s (AWI) Wool and Sheepmeat Survey Report for June 2022, run three times a year, collects sheepmeat industry livestock numbers – including the 4.25 million reported breeding ewes – and lamb production expectations.

Production and producer intentions are regularly monitored to generate better forward-looking information that allow producers to make the most efficient decisions, with the results of these surveys forming the basis of MLA's Industry Projections.

According to the latest report, Merinos accounted for 72 per cent of the total breeding ewe flock – these numbers further divided into Merino ewes for pure bred Merino production and Merino ewes for crossbred production and ‘other’ Merinos, accounting for 51, 19 and two per cent of the Merino flock, respectively.

 There were 22 million lambs on hand reported by Australian producers, with Merinos making up just over half of the total lamb flock, followed by first cross and pure meat lambs.

The breeding ewe population was largest in the Great Southern region of Western Australia at 5.6 million, Central West NSW at five million and Southeast NSW at 4.8 million.

According to Ripley Atkinson - Senior Market Information Analyst at MLA, the desire to retain breeding ewe populations stems from stellar growing seasons, particularly in the eastern states. 

 “Compared to the last survey released in February of this year, 27 per cent of producers surveyed said that they would like to increase their ewe flock, while 60% indicated they would like to retain current numbers,” Mr Atkinson said.

“The majority of this growth is coming from eastern Victoria, northern NSW and southern Queensland where there have been very wet conditions.

“This demonstrates plenty of confidence in the market with room for growth moving into spring.”

A total 7.6 million lambs are expected to be sold in the next four months – about 34 per cent of the total lambs on hand and of these, Merino, first cross breeds and pure meat are expected to account for 36, 29 and 23 per cent of lamb sales, respectively.

NSW and Victoria are expected to account for 48 and 18 per cent of total lamb sales over the next four months, with around five million lambs expected to be on offer in both states.

“With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting strong seasonal conditions for the eastern states as the new season lambs hit the market, the signs are looking positive for the Australian sheepmeat industry,” said Mr Atkinson.