7307.0 - Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia, October 2009 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/12/2009   
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EXPLANATORY NOTES


INTRODUCTION

1 This publication presents estimates from various Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) wheat surveys and from administrative data relating to wheat exports. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) use the data in this publication to prepare a monthly report on the Australian wheat industry. This information will inform policy and decision making following the passage of the Wheat Export Marketing Bill on 1 July 2008.


SCOPE AND COVERAGE

2 Approximately 3,000 businesses were surveyed for the Wheat Use Coverage Survey. The sample comprised approximately 900 manufacturers and 2,100 animal feedlot operators. Responses from these businesses indicated that many of them were not direct users of wheat grain and they were consequently made out of scope of the collection. Subsequent (monthly) Wheat Use Surveys have been based on a sample of over 1,000 businesses using feedback from the Wheat Use Coverage Survey (WUSC).

3 Estimates in this publication are based on information obtained from the following ABS surveys:

  • Grain (Wheat) Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) - Monthly
  • Wheat Use Survey (WUSC) - Annual Coverage
  • Wheat Use Survey (WUS) - Monthly
  • Wheat Export Sales Survey (WESS) - Monthly

4 The data on wheat grain exported were compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from information submitted by exporters or their agents to the Australian Customs Service. These data may be subject to revision.

5 The coverage of the Grain (Wheat) Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) was all major bulk grain handlers. The GHSS was previously conducted on a quarterly basis. From March 2009, the GHSS will be collected and published on a monthly basis.

6 The scope of the Wheat Use Survey (WUS) was agricultural businesses, and manufacturing businesses using wheat grain, recorded on the ABS' Business Register (ABSBR). The ABSBR is sourced from the Australian Business Register (ABR) which is administered and maintained by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

7 For agricultural businesses, a minimum size cut-off of $5,000 was applied to determine whether a business was in-scope for the WUS. The measure of size was based on the ABS' Estimated Value of Agricultural Operations (EVAO) where available; or where it was not available, a Business Activity Statement (BAS) turnover size was derived.

8 The coverage of the WUS (both annual and monthly) included animal feedlot operators and manufacturing businesses using wheat grain. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 2006 (ANZSIC06) was used to identify these businesses on the ABSBR, and the following ANZSIC06 codes were used:
  • Animal feedlot operators
      • 0143 - beef cattle feedlots (specialised)
      • 0171 - poultry farming (meat)
      • 0172 - poultry farming (eggs)
      • 0192 - pig farming
  • Manufacturers using wheat grain
      • 1161 - grain mill product manufacturing
      • 1162 - cereal, pasta and baking mix manufacturing
      • 1192 - prepared animal and bird feed manufacturing
      • 1812 - basic organic chemical manufacturing

9 Additionally, businesses reporting beef cattle feedlot activity in the 2005-06 Agricultural Census or 2006-07 Agricultural Survey were included in the coverage for the WUS.

10 Data compiled from the WUS exclude on-farm storage and use, apart from animal feedlot operators and manufacturing businesses as defined above. Coverage of agricultural businesses is expected to be expanded during 2009 and will provide additional information about on-farm storage and use.

11 The coverage of the Wheat Export Sales Survey (WESS) included businesses reporting wheat grain exports on documentation lodged with the Australian Customs Service and units on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Wheat Export Charge (WEC) levy register.


RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES

12 Sample sizes for both the Grain (Wheat) Handlers Stocks Survey and Wheat Export Sales Survey were smaller than the sample size for the Wheat Use Survey, with the major grain handlers and approximately 50 major wheat exporters being surveyed.

13 A minimum response rate of at least 90% is generally achieved for the monthly wheat collections.

14 Some of the estimates in this publication are based on information obtained from samples drawn from the total business population in scope of these collections. As such, estimates are subject to sampling variability; that is, they may differ from the figures that would have been produced if all businesses had been included in the surveys. One measure of the likely difference is given by the standard error (SE) which indicates the extent to which an estimate might vary by chance because only a sample was taken. There are about two chances in three that a 'sample' estimate will differ by less than one SE from the figure that would have been obtained if all businesses had responded, and about nineteen chances in twenty that the difference will be less than two SEs.

15 In this publication, 'sampling' variability of the estimates is measured by the relative standard error (RSE) which is obtained by expressing the SE as a percentage of the estimate to which it refers.

16 Most published national estimates have RSEs of less than 10%. However some state estimates have RSEs greater than 10%. Estimates that have an estimated RSE between 10% and 25% are annotated with the symbol '^'. These estimates should be used with caution as they are subject to sampling variability too high for some purposes. Estimates with an RSE between 25% and 50% are annotated with the symbol '*', indicating that the estimate should be used with caution as it is subject to sampling variability too high for most practical purposes. Estimates with an RSE greater than 50% are annotated with the symbol '**' indicating that the sampling variability causes the estimates to be considered too unreliable for general use. Separate indication of the RSEs of all estimates is available on request.


GENERAL

17 Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.


ABS DATA AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

18 Not all data from these surveys are published here. As well as the statistics included in this and related publications, the ABS may have other relevant data available on request. Inquiries should be made to the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.


GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

19 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated. Without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.


RELATED PUBLICATIONS

20 Additional information relating to grain stocks, including quality, is published in:
  • Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia (cat. no. 7122.0.55.001).

21 A range of other publications relevant to the Agriculture sector are produced by the ABS, including:
  • Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0)
  • Principal Agricultural Commodities, Australia, Preliminary (cat. no. 7111.0)
  • Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced Australia (cat. no. 7503.0)
  • Livestock and Meat, Australia (cat. no. 7218.0.55.001)
  • Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0)

22 Detailed merchandise exports data are available by contacting the National Information and Referral Service. Value and quantity data can be produced according to a number of commodity classifications, with information available by state/territory of origin, and country of destination.

23 Current publications and other products released by the ABS are listed under the Statistics and Themes pages on the ABS website <https://www.abs.gov.au>. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the website which details products to be released in the week ahead.