Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a diverse agricultural sector, with a mix of irrigation and dry-land farming. The country has around 135,997 farms, covering 61% of its landmass. Australian farms produce a variety of crops and livestock, including wheat, barley, oats, rice, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, fruits, grapes, tobacco, and vegetables. Sheep and cattle are the most common livestock, with Merino sheep being particularly important for wool production. Australian farmers also raise chickens, pigs, and dairy cattle. The distribution of agricultural activities is influenced by climate and water availability, with livestock grazing occurring in most areas and cropping and horticulture concentrated near the coast. Australia's agricultural sector faces challenges such as environmental degradation and competition from subsidised producers in Europe and North America but remains a significant contributor to the economy and a major exporter of agricultural products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Farm output | $100 billion a year (2023) |
| Share of GDP | 5.7% (2023) |
| Number of farms | 135,997 |
| Landmass covered by farms | 61% |
| Agricultural workforce | 421,000 people (2023) |
| R&D funding in 2023-24 | $2.98 billion |
| Main agricultural crops | Wheat, coarse grains (barley, oats, sorghum, maize, triticale), rice, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, fruits, grapes, tobacco, vegetables |
| Livestock | Sheep, cattle, chickens, pigs |
| Main livestock products | Wool, lamb, beef, pork, poultry, dairy products |
| Export percentage of wool and cotton production | Over 90% |
| Export percentage of wheat | Nearly 80% |
| Export percentage of barley and rice | Over 50% |
| Export percentage of beef and grain legumes | Over 40% |
| Export percentage of dairy products | Over 30% |
| Export percentage of fruit production | Nearly 20% |
| Land used for grazing | 341 million hectares (2018-19) |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's agricultural history
The story begins with the arrival of the first European settlers in 1788, who brought agricultural technology and practices from their homelands. These early attempts at farming faced challenges due to the unfamiliar terrain and climate, and it wasn't until the introduction of Merino sheep from Spain in the 1820s that the wool industry took off. This led to a boom in the pastoral industry, with wealthy families investing in large sheep and cattle stations. One notable family was the Macarthurs, who became known for their high-quality wool exports to England, solidifying Australia's position in the global wool market.
The 19th century also saw the development of innovative practices that transformed agriculture. The invention of the stump jump plough in the 1870s revolutionized land cultivation, saving time and labour. Agronomist William Farrer's drought and disease-resistant wheat strain, released in 1903, further expanded wheat cultivation into drier regions.
Into the 20th century, dairying gained popularity, driven by technological advancements like canning and refrigeration. Meat exports also played a significant role in Australia's agricultural development, with freezing works enabling the export of chilled beef. By the turn of the millennium, Australia had become a diverse producer of primary products for both export and domestic consumption.
Today, Australia continues to excel in agriculture, with large-scale production of cereals, oilseeds, grain legumes, and various agricultural commodities. The beef industry is the largest agricultural enterprise in the country, and it is the second-largest beef exporter in the world. Wine production has also become a significant contributor to the economy, showcasing Australia's ability to adapt and thrive in the face of diverse agricultural challenges.
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Farm outputs and exports
Agriculture in Australia has a long history, with Aboriginal Australians described as hunter-gatherer-cultivators and proto-farmers, with evidence of farming activities before the arrival of Europeans. Today, Australia is a major agricultural producer and exporter, with a farm output of $100 billion a year for a 5.7% share of GDP in 2023.
The country's agricultural outputs are diverse, with a mix of irrigation and dry-land farming. There are three main agricultural zones in Australia: the high rainfall zone of Tasmania and a narrow coastal zone, the wheat-sheep zone, and the pastoral zone. The first two zones are used for dairying and beef production, while the wheat-sheep zone is also used for cropping, mainly winter crops, and the grazing of sheep for wool, lamb, and mutton. The pastoral zone is characterised by low rainfall and less fertile soils, where large-scale grazing of beef cattle and sheep takes place.
Cereals, oilseeds, and grain legumes are produced on a large scale for both human consumption and livestock feed. Wheat is the most prominent cereal crop in terms of area and value to the Australian economy. Up to four-fifths of the grain produced is exported, primarily to East Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific region. Sugarcane, grown in tropical Australia, is another significant crop, although it struggles to compete with heavily subsidised producers in Europe and America, as well as the efficient sugarcane industry in Brazil.
Australia is also a notable exporter of meat, with beef cattle rearing taking place across the country. Sheep are raised in most agricultural regions, with one-third grazing in the dry pastoral zone. Mutton and lamb production is particularly important in mixed-farming areas of Victoria. Australia's cattle population has decreased by about one-fourth since its peak in the mid-1970s.
Other important agricultural outputs in Australia include cotton, rice, tobacco, fruits, corn (maize), sorghum, and oilseeds. Wine-making is pursued in every state, with nearly half of the exports going to the United Kingdom. Australia has also seen growth in the production of horticultural commodities, pulses, and lentils.
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Farm ownership and land coverage
Agriculture plays a vital role in Australia, contributing to the country's social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Australian agricultural businesses occupy and manage 51% of Australia's landmass, which equates to around 394 million hectares of land.
Australia has almost 88,000 farms with sales of at least A$40,000 per year, including two-thirds that raise livestock, a quarter that produce crops, and 10% dairies. More than 99% of Australian agricultural businesses are wholly Australian-owned, with Australians owning 88% of the country's agricultural land. This high level of Australian ownership of farms and agricultural land is a significant aspect of the country's agricultural sector.
In terms of land use, grazing is the most prevalent activity, accounting for 87% of the 394 million hectares of land operated by agricultural businesses in Australia, or approximately 341 million hectares. This represents a 9% increase in grazing land usage compared to 2015-16. Queensland is the largest contributor to grazing land, with an estimated 129 million hectares of land dedicated to this purpose in 2016-17. The cultivation of crops and/or pasture is another significant land use, with agricultural businesses reporting 23 million hectares of land dedicated to this purpose during 2016-17, reflecting a 4% increase from the previous year. Western Australia leads in this area, with 8 million hectares of land cultivated for crops and/or pastures.
The integration of science and technology into management practices is a key aspect of modern agriculture in Australia. This includes the adoption of new farming methods and technologies, such as precision technology, which has facilitated productivity growth. For example, in 2016-17, an estimated 25,600 agricultural businesses implemented crop stubble and/or trash management practices over an area of 21 million hectares. Western Australia led in this practice, with 6.4 million hectares dedicated to crop stubble and trash management.
Water management is a critical issue in Australia, and agricultural water usage is significant. Dairy farming accounts for 18% of water consumption by agriculture, followed by pasture at 16%, cotton at 15%, and sugar at 10%. The total gross value of irrigated agricultural production in 2004-05 was A$9.076 billion, contributing to a quarter of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced in Australia on less than 1% of agricultural land.
While foreign ownership of farmland in Australia is relatively low, it is a topic of public interest. A 2022 poll found that 88% of Australians favoured tighter controls on foreign ownership of farmland. Foreign investment in cropping, horticulture, and agricultural infrastructure is driving changes in land use, with 4% of foreign-owned land used for these purposes.
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Sustainable farming practices
Australia has around 135,997 farms, covering 61% of the country's landmass. With agriculture being central to the country, it is important to implement sustainable farming practices to protect the environment and meet consumption demands.
Sustainable farming is a form of stewardship where farmers aim to protect the environment, meet consumption demands, and ensure resource availability for future generations. While some individual farmers are taking initiatives, a policy vacuum leaves farmers and land managers without a metric to function by. There is a need for a framework that promotes sustainable practices and raises the ecological standards of the farming industry.
Some sustainable practices that have become standard for Australian farmers include:
- Retaining stubble
- Minimizing tillage
- Optimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Implementing various grazing management systems
Additionally, enhancing farm dams can improve water quality and provide habitats for native wildlife. Shelterbelts, or windbreaks, can protect livestock from harsh weather conditions, prevent erosion, and support biodiversity. Managing rocky outcrops can also boost biodiversity and soil health with minimal ongoing effort or cost.
To build a sustainable future for farming, collaboration is needed between farmers, industry, researchers, and the government. This includes adopting new technologies and methods, such as combining indigenous knowledge with innovative farming techniques, to maintain productivity and address the challenges posed by climate change.
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Livestock and crops
Australia has a diverse agricultural sector, producing a wide range of crops and livestock products. The country's farm products are in high demand internationally, as they are harvested during the Northern Hemisphere's off-season.
Livestock
The raising of livestock, especially sheep and cattle, has long been a key component of Australian agriculture. Sheep are raised in most agricultural regions, under varying environmental conditions. About one-third of sheep graze on the natural fodders of the dry "pastoral zone", while in areas with higher precipitation, sheep are farmed alongside wheat and other cereals. The Merino breed is common in the pastoral zone, while other breeds are found in the "wheat-and-sheep" belts. Australia is a world leader in the export of live animals, and Queensland and New South Wales are hubs for this industry.
Cattle are used for meat and dairy products, and sheep for wool and meat. Australian farmers also raise chickens and pigs, with factory farming largely replacing small-farm production of poultry. The country's beef industry has a reputation for being clean and disease-free. More than half of Australian farmers are involved in the cattle industry, and most products are sold as processed beef.
Crops
Australia's main crops include wheat, barley, canola, cotton, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables. Wheat is the most valuable crop in terms of area and economic contribution, and it is planted in the winter months of May, June, and July. The main harvest begins in Queensland in September or October and ends in southern Western Australia in January. Sugarcane is another important crop, grown in the coastal districts of Queensland, the northern coastal plains of New South Wales, and the Ord Irrigated District in northwestern Western Australia.
The horticulture industry, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers, and other nursery products, is crucial to the country's prosperity. Major horticulture areas include the Goulburn Valley of Victoria, the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of New South Wales, the Riverland region of South Australia, Northern Tasmania, Southwest Australia, the coastal region of northern New South Wales, and Queensland.
Australian farmers have improved productivity by adopting new technologies and management practices. For example, most broadacre cropping farms retain stubble, minimise tillage, and optimise pesticide and fertiliser use. GM crops are regulated under a national scheme, and as of 2022, four GM crops are approved for growth in Australia: cotton, safflower, carnations, and canola.
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Frequently asked questions
Farms in Australia vary in size, ranging from relatively small part-time farms to operations of more than 5,000 hectares.
The main crops grown in Australia are wheat, barley, oats, sorghum, maize, rice, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, fruits, grapes, tobacco, and vegetables.
Australian farmers raise a variety of livestock, including sheep, cattle, chickens, and pigs. Sheep are raised for wool and meat, while cattle are used for meat, milk, and dairy products.
Australian agriculture is known for its early adoption of technology and mechanization. Farmers use advanced equipment such as automated irrigation systems, GPS-guided tractors, robotic cow milking machines, and crop-monitoring drones.
