AUSTRALIAN agriculture has stayed on track despite devastating floods in multiple areas around the country.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports, released in December, showed the sector was setting new benchmarks in export commodities and high yields for winter crops.
“The gross value of agricultural production is forecast to be a near-record $85 billion in 2022-23, just shy of the record set the previous year,” said ABARES executive director Dr Jared Greenville.
“Meanwhile, the winter crop is forecast to be the second largest on record at over 62 million tonnes. Livestock production is expected to hold steady, contributing $34 billon to the national total.
“Another bumper year combined with high commodity prices means Australia’s agricultural exports are forecast to break records at over $72 billion in 2022-23.
“While the spring rain has impacted production, yields and quality in some parts of the country, some states are experiencing their best winter crops on record.
“Crops in South Australia and Western Australia benefitted the most from spring conditions, with total production in both states forecast to reach new record levels.
“In other parts of the country, the results are mixed with both flooding and water-logging impacting winter crop production.
“We saw a record amount of crop planted in Victoria this year. At the state level, high yields in the Mallee and the Wimmera will offset crop losses in central and northern border regions.
“However, the full picture of damage to crops from extensive waterlogging remains an unknown.
“The current conditions are a reminder of the volatility of Australia’s climate. While it’s impressive how resilient the agriculture sector has been, it shows how events like floods and droughts can impact regions and Australian farmers.”
Rain levels
Renmark
November to January 19, 2023: 73.4mm
Rainfall to January 2022: 9.6mm
Rainfall to January average: 18.3mm
Loxton
November to January 19, 2023: 121.2mm
Rainfall to January 2022: 1.5mm
Rainfall to January average: 18.2mm
Waikerie
November to January 19, 2023: 65.8mm
Rainfall to January 2022: 10.5mm
Rainfall to January average: 17.9mm
Lameroo
November to January 19, 2023: 83.2mm
Rainfall to January 2022: 6.4mm
Rainfall to January average: 25.4mm
Gawler
November to January 19, 2023: 121.2
Rainfall to January 2022: 3.4mm
Rainfall to January average: 18.9mm
