Oilseed industry statistics from 2004
Summary
Oilseed production in the north east is restricted almost exclusively
to Canola. The industry is a relatively small contributor to GVP
and very small within a state context. Production is greatest in
the Rural City of Wangaratta (approx. 35%) with the industry evenly
spread throughout the remaining rural cities and shires except Indigo
and Wodonga. The Grains Research and Development Corporation include
the north east in its southern grain growing region. The southern
region is characterised by:
- temperate climate;
- relatively infertile soils;
- yield depends upon reliable spring rainfall;
- smaller enterprise size;
- diverse production patterns and opportunities;
- large and diverse domestic market;
- phase farming innovator; and
- shift in intensive livestock production and demand for feed
grains to this region.
Oilseeds
North East Region |
1996 – 97
AG Census |
2000 – 01
AG Census |
2001 – 02
AG Survey |
2002 -03 AG Survey |
Gross value of production |
$249,940 |
$850,331 |
$666,996 |
|
Production volume (tonnes) |
684 |
2,753 |
1,743 |
755 |
Total area of production (ha) |
455 |
1,565 |
986 |
984 |
Contribution to Victorian GVP
of commodity |
0.5% |
0.7% |
|
|
Contribution to Australian
GVP of commodity |
0.1% |
0.1% |
|
|
Estimated number of farms |
10 |
15 |
|
22 |
Source: ABS Agricultural Census 1997 and 2001, Agricultural Survey
2002 and 2003
Industry overview
Detail |
Comments |
Product description |
Canola seed. |
Main season |
Sowing in Autumn with cropping in December – January
depending on seasonal conditions |
Industry associations |
Grains Research and Development Corporation |
Domestic market information |
The price for canola, in 2000, dipped to $275/tonne
in the face of a large world supply. Farmers contend that a
minimum price of $300/tonne is needed to offset risk and higher
production costs.
For 2000, a 2 tonne/ha canola crop was estimated to return
a gross margin of $400/ha compared to $230/ha for a 2.5 tonne/ha
wheat crop. |
Export market information |
Exports of canola from the north east is unknown
with most canola joining the pool of accumulation services.
($321/tonne as at 08/12/2004) |
Location of the Oilseed 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 oilseeds industry growth
Whilst GVP for canola oilseed has increased markedly between 1997 – 2002,
the industry is not expected to grow rapidly. Oilseeds fits well
with cereals and pulses in crop rotations. Yields are dependent upon
seasonal conditions.
Oilseeds labour requirements
Labour requirements are similar to other cropping activities and
undertaken as part of many integrated mix farming enterprises. High
fertiliser requirements, weed control and windrowing make for higher
input costs however whether that translates into additional labour
requirements from off farm is difficult to determine.
Oilseeds marketing activities
There is no marketing of oilseeds which is specific to the north
east region. Grain accumulation services, GrainCorp and Cargill all
market canola without particular reference to the north east.
Oilseeds strategic advantages and opportunities
- Processing services are relatively close by (Numurkah and Wagga
Wagga)
- Reliable climate although offset by short growing season
Oilseeds strategic disadvantages and impediments to growth
- Growing season is too short for much of north east region
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