4627.0 - Land Management and Farming in Australia, 2013-14 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/07/2015   
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This document was added or updated on 13/10/2015.

SHEEP AND CATTLE MANAGEMENT
In 2013-14

NATIONAL AND STATE/TERRITORY

    • In 2013-14 the national calving rate for meat cows increased marginally when compared to 2011-12, up from 76 calves per 100 cows to 77 calves per 100 cows.
    • For dairy cows, the national calving rate increased to 91 calves per 100 cows, up from 79 calves per 100 cows in 2011-12.
    • Nationally the lambing rate for meat ewes was 104 lambs per 100 ewes and the weaning rate was 100 lambs per 100 meat ewes. For wool breeds the lambing rate was 93 lambs per 100 ewes and the weaning rate was 87 lambs per 100 wool ewes.
    • During 2013-14 approximately 49,800 agricultural businesses rested their pasture with 45 days being the average length of time pasture was rested (down from 54 days in 2011-12). Of the states/territories, Queensland reported the largest change since 2011-12, with the average length of time pasture was rested decreasing from 81 days to 62 days.
    • Feed additives and/or supplements were supplied by 34,000 agricultural businesses to their sheep and/or cattle. Lick blocks and/or vitamin and mineral supplements were the most common feed additives and/or supplements supplied to both sheep and cattle.

Graph Image for Livestock Management

Footnote(s): (a) Includes ACT

Source(s): Land Management and Farming in Australia, 2013-14

AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT (AAE) REGIONS
    • The average weight of calves turned off in 2013-14 decreased across twelve of the eighteen regions from 2011-12. The largest decreases were reported in Subtropical Highlands (AAE 09) (down to an average weight of 318 kilograms), and the Arid AAE (AAE 18) (down to an average weight of 236 kilograms).
    • The region with the largest number of businesses using additives and/or supplements for their sheep and or cattle was in Wheatbelt East (AAE14) with 5,600 businesses undertaking this practice.

Percent of agricultural businesses supplying additives or supplements to sheep or cattle, 2013-14
Image:  Map of agricultural businesses supplying additives or supplements to sheep or cattle, 2013-14