SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


NATIONAL ESTIMATES

In 2008-09 the preliminary estimate of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced was $41.1 billion, a decrease of 5% (or $2.2 billion) from the previous year.

The value of crops decreased 7% to $22.1 billion, and livestock products decreased 16%, down to $6.2 billion on the back of falls in the value of wool and milk. Livestock slaughterings and other disposals rose to $12.8 billion, with increases in the value of cattle and calves, sheep and lambs and poultry.

Crops

Increases in production of many broadacre crops following drought conditions of 2007-08 were offset by price declines in 2008-09, resulting in decreased gross values.

The decline in crop value was highlighted by decreases in the gross values of barley (down 21%), grain sorghum (down 44%) and hay (down 41%). These declines were in contrast to $602.5 million increase in the value of wheat and the return of cotton values to pre-2007-08 levels, rising 174% to $623 million in 2008-09.

Production and average price falls for grapes contributed to their gross value decreasing by a third to $1.1 billion in 2008-09. The gross values of potatoes and tomatoes also fell from high 2007-08 values, down 27% and 31% respectively.


Livestock slaughterings and other disposals

Exports of live animals pushed the total number of cattle and calves slaughterings and other disposals up 1% to $7.5 billion in 2008-09.

Increases in average prices offset the continued decline in slaughterings to drive the gross total value of sheep and lamb slaughterings and other disposals to $2.5 billion (up 15%).

Falling production levels in 2008-09 saw the gross total value of pig slaughterings and other disposals decline 1% to $895 million.

The gross total value of poultry slaughterings rose to $1.9 billion in 2008-09 with increases in production and average prices.


Livestock products

The total value of production for both wool and milk production fell with noticeable decreases in average prices. Wool fell to $1.8 billion (down 22%), and the value of milk fell to $4.0 billion (down 13%).