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Cropping industry statistics from 2004
Cereals for grain
Summary
Cropping is one of the larger industries undertaken in the region
being commonly undertaken in dry agriculture mixed farming systems.
Based on availability of suitable land, the majority of cropping
is undertaken in Indigo Shire and the Rural City of Wangaratta.
The AlpValleys region does not contain any significant advantages
or impediments to cropping and the issues facing the industry are
common to the whole of the industry.
North East Region |
1996 – 97
AG Census |
2000 – 01
AG Census |
2001 – 02
AG Survey |
2002 -03 AG Survey |
Gross value of production |
$5,344,852 |
$7,556,085 |
$7,348,807 |
|
Production volume (tonnes) |
9,637,716 |
7,196,330 |
32,932 |
17,963 |
Total area of production (ha) |
13,088 |
14,236 |
11,571 |
12,531 |
Contribution to Victorian GVP
of commodity |
0.7% |
0.6% |
|
|
Contribution to Australian
GVP of commodity |
0.1% |
0.1% |
|
|
Estimated number of farms |
247 |
158 |
145 |
151 |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census – 1997 and 2001, Agricultural
Survey 2002 and 2003
Cropping industry overview
Cereal grains produced within the region include wheat, oats, barley,
rice, millet, corn maize, sorghum and triticale. The majority of
farmers surveyed grew cereals in conjunction with other farming activities
such as livestock production.
Detail |
Comments |
Product description |
Cereal grains produced within the region include
wheat, oats, barley, millet, corn maize, sorghum and triticale.
Many farmers surveyed grew cereals in conjunction with another
farming activity such as livestock. |
Main season |
Predominantly winter crops involving sowing
in Autumn – Winter and Harvesting in November – January |
Industry associations |
TopCrop, Victorian Farmers Federation, |
Domestic market information |
As there are no receival centres within the
north east, all grain crops are transported outside of the
region. Prices change regularly. The major buyers are Graincorp
and Cargills. |
Export market information |
Not specific to AlpValleys region |
Location of the Cropping industry in the AlpValleys region
2001 Ag Census |
%
of GVP |
%
of production volume |
%
of farms for commodity |
North East Region |
Victoria |
North East Region |
Victoria |
North East Region |
Victoria |
Alpine Shire |
0.4% |
0% |
0.4% |
0% |
0.7% |
0% |
Benalla (RC) |
1.5% |
0.01% |
1.8% |
0.01% |
2.2% |
0.04% |
Indigo Shire |
50.8% |
0.31% |
49.5% |
0.34% |
45.9% |
0.89% |
Wangaratta (RC) |
47.3% |
0.29% |
48.3% |
0.33% |
51.2% |
0.99% |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census - 2001
Cropping industry labour requirements
The major labour requirement for cropping occurs at harvest time.
Contract harvest or casual employees are required and are expected
to average 1 employee per farm. Crop receival centres also employ
seasonal workers. However there are no receivals centres within the
North East region.
Cropping industry marketing activities
There is no marketing of grain which is specific to the north east
region. Grain accumulation services, GrainCorp and Cargill all market
grain without particular reference to the north east.
Cropping industry strategic advantages and opportunities
- Increased productivity from slightly reduced area
- Alternate Crops,
e.g. linseed
- Producing high quality feed grain to specification
for local feedlots (chicken, beef, lamb, dairy)
Cropping industry strategic disadvantages and impediments to growth
- Climate variability
- Short growing seasons
- Peri urban and lifestyle development
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