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Hay industry statistics from 2004
Summary
Hay production within the region has a gross value of approximately
$11.5 million per annum (2000-01 Ag Census).
Production is greatest in the Rural City of Wangaratta (approx.
35%) with the industry evenly spread throughout the local government
areas with the exception of Benalla and Wodonga.
North East Region |
1996 – 97
AG Census |
2000 – 01
AG Census |
2001 – 02
AG Survey |
2002 – 03
AG Survey |
Gross value of production |
$8,196,419 |
11,456,447 |
$8,547,177 |
|
Production volume (tonnes) |
65,281 |
81,778 |
61,301 |
41,216 |
Total area of production (ha) |
17,323 |
18,966 |
17,504 |
14,130 |
Contribution to Victorian GVP
of commodity |
3.9% |
2.9% |
|
|
Contribution to Australian
GVP of commodity |
1.4% |
1.3% |
|
|
Estimated number of farms |
976 |
990 |
892 |
812 |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census 1997 and 2001, Agricultural Survey
2002 and 2003
Industry overview
Detail |
Comments |
Product description |
Clover hay, rye hay and lucerne hay. |
Main season |
Harvest mid October to early December |
Industry associations |
Australian Fodder Industry Association. |
Domestic market information |
Producers will only cut hay if they can sell
at good price, use it themselves or there is a surplus due
to good conditions. Most commonly, hay will go to a region
experiencing drought or be used locally. |
Export market information |
The major exporter of hay is based in Tocumwal.
The volume of hay from the AlpValleys region which goes to
Tocumwal is unknown. However it is likely to be relatively
small as most hay for export comes from irrigated areas in
NSW. |
Location of hay industry within 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 |
17.3% |
0.5% |
17.5% |
0.5% |
12% |
0.76% |
Benalla (RC) |
4.3% |
0.1% |
4.4% |
0.1% |
1% |
0.06% |
Indigo Shire |
20.6% |
0.6% |
20.5% |
0.6% |
20% |
1.25% |
Towong Shire |
19.8% |
0.6% |
19.8% |
0.6% |
24% |
1.48% |
Wangaratta (RC) |
35.5% |
1.0% |
35.5% |
1.0% |
39% |
2.42% |
Wodonga (RC) |
2.4% |
0.1% |
2.2% |
0.1% |
4% |
0.26% |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census - 2001
Projected hay industry growth
No opportunities for expanding hay growth have been identified.
Hay production is expected to remain constant and is dependent on
seasonal conditions.
Hay labour requirements
Most hay production is based on large bales and is highly mechanised.
Contract harvesters abound and are well known within the industry.
A shortage of contractors does not appear to be a problem at harvest
time.
Hay marketing activities
There are no regional specific marketing activities. The industry
is largely based on large bales. Local marketing of small bales is
through newspaper advertisements and roadside signage.
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