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 21/10/2015.

CROP MANAGEMENT
In 2013-14

NATIONAL AND STATE/TERRITORY

    • During 2013-14 approximately 10,400 agricultural businesses undertook intercropping practices, an increase of 274 businesses from 2011-12.
    • Despite the small increase of businesses undertaking intercropping during 2013-14, the area on which it was practised decreased by 1.5 million hectares (or 49.9%) from 2011-12.
    • By area of land, mixed inter-row/strip cropping was the largest intercropping practice undertaken on agricultural land (716,000 hectares). New South Wales was the largest contributor, reporting 287,000 hectares of this intercropping practice. Pasture cropping was the second largest intercropping practice undertaken on 323,000 hectares.
    • Nationally, the area on which crop stubble and trash management practices were undertaken during 2013-14 increased to 23 million hectares, up by 4.1 million hectares from 2011-12.
    • Agricultural businesses undertaking cereal cropping continues to be the largest group of businesses using crop stubble and trash management practices, increasing from 2011-12 by 2.2 million hectares to 17.5 million hectares, driven by increased usage in Western Australia, up 837,000 hectares to 6.6 million hectares.
Graph Image for Crop management

Footnote(s): (a) Includes ACT

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

AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT (AAE) REGIONS
    • Of all regions, Wheatbelt West (AAE 15) recorded the largest decrease in the area on which intercropping was undertaken, down 394,000 hectares.
    • Wheatbelt East (AAE 14) recorded the largest increase in the number of businesses undertaking intercropping, with an increase of 21.5% or 455 businesses.

Percent of agricultural businesses undertaking intercropping practices, 2013-14
Image: Map of agricultural businesses undertaking intercropping practices, 2013-14