Agriculture Commons^™

Positive Price Outlook For Wheat : Implications For Wa Agriculture, Alan Haagensen, Ian Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

After a 40 year period over which wheat prices have dropped by an average of 2.7 per cent annually in real terms, fundamental changes in wheat supply and demand look set to reverse this trend. It is possible that real prices could increase by as much as 4 per cent anually in the medium term.

Alan Haagensen and Ian Wilkinson look at the forecasts for wheat prices and outline the forces that will influence world supply and demands for wheat.

Should We Export Our Native Birds?, Ross Kingwell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The export of Australia's native birds is prohibited by the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982. A review of the Act in 1991 has not led to any relaxation of the export ban.

However, the review recommended that government examine "the practical aspects of establishing a fully funded administrative control mechanism to allow strictly regulated commercial exports of a limited number of species of captivebred native birds which are not endangered or threatened". In making this recommendation, the report acknowledged there may be a case for highly regulated export of some native bird species.

This article explores …

Development Of The Export Wine Industry, Tony Devitt

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In 1936-37, Australia exported 18.6 million litres of wine, a level not achieved again for 50 years. World War II, the price, quality and style of Australian wine all contribuited to the demise of our wine export markets.

Australia's 'new' wine industry, which surfaced in the 1960s, has re-established our position as a significant exporter of high quality wines that are competitvely priced and percieved tobe 'pure and of integrity.

Western Australia is well placced to have a significant role in the expansion of Australia's wine exports.

Production Of High-Value Wheats : One Sustainable Answer To The Cost:Price Squeeze, Wal Anderson, Alan Peggs, Doug Sawkins

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Farmers and scientists alike over the past decade have sought to address the declining terms of farm trade (the cost.price squeeze) by increasing wheat yields in ways that will ensure both their economic and ecological survival. Nevertheless, costs have continued to increase as a proportion of the value of the product.

Many farmers have increased their wheat yields substantially and the industry as a whole is more conscious of the quality of its product.

Over the past 10 years or more there has been intense interest in, and considerable adoption of. conservation farming techniques such as minimum tillage, residue retention, …

Development Of Redglobe Table Grapes For Export, Ian Cameron

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Exports wereonce a major outlet for the Western Australian table grape industry.

Over the last 20 years however, exports have fallen from 500 to 00 tonnes per year, despite an increase in the area planted to table grapes and an increase on overseas demand for our produce.

By 1993 less than 3 per cent of the table grapes produced in the State were exported.

The introduction of Redglobe, a new table grape varietyy from California, is expected to increase the export of table grapes from Western Australia to 1000t by 1997, when the variety will represent 90 per cent of …

Australian Economy, R S. Kingwell, Juliann Lloyd-Smith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Australian economy has experienced some dramatic changes in economic conditions over the lasdt few years. Low or falling export prices for our main exports, greater volatility in exchange rate movements and an underlying depreciation of the Australian dollar, high real interset rates, high inflation rates compared with our trading partners and a burgeoning foreign debt, are all features of Australias economic situation.

The economic environment affects the rural economy and has major implications of the prospects of Australia's rural industries. Therefore it is important to understand not only the main economic conditions facing Australia, as well as some of …

Farm Debt In The Wheatbelt : 1984 Survey Results, R S. Kingwell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In recent years many farms in Western Australia's wheat-growing areas have experienced adverse seasons. For example, the 1983-84 season was characterised by a late start, dry spring and wet harvest which resulted in many farms suffering a combination of low yields and the downgrading or dockage of their grain.

Poor seasons and poor profitability prospects for wheat-growing caused some concern about farm indebtedness in these areas.

In late 1983, a Parlimentary select committee was appointed to inquire into rural hardship. The State Minister for Agriculture also announced that the Department of Agriculture would conduct a farm survey to determine the …

Farm Syndication Has Advantages, G T. Kennedy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Sharing of single items of plant between farmers is common in Australian Agriculture but it is quite rare for farmers to amalgamate their holdings and farm them as a single unit.

This article looks at the advantages of syndicate farming. It is based on a study of four whole farm syndicates in the Wimmera of Victoria.

Economics Of Vine Growing, K R. Rutter

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Heavy demands are made on capital and labour recources throughout the five year dvelopment phase of a vineyard.

Labour and capital requirements vary considerably, but the following gives a look at one example of the costs involved.

Trends In Viticultural Production, W R. Jamieson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The viricultural industries are in one of their cyclical downturns. This is nothing new!

What is new is that new factors are coming into play whose exact significance is unknown but will have an important bearing on the economics of a viticultural enterprise.

The Agricultural Co-Operative Movement In Japan, G C. George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Agricultural adviser Gil George, the author of this article, returned earlier this year from 21/2 years' study in Japan, where he gained a Diploma in Japanese Language from the Osaka Institute of Foreign Studies and a Master's Degree in Economics from Hitotsubashi University, one of Japan's foremost economic institutions.

In Japan he examined the post-war development of the Japanese agricultural co-operative movement, and some aspects of marketing of agricultural products.

He also participated in the Japan- Australia Project (a committee studying the interdependence of the two economies), carried out some work for the Japan Economic Research Centre and edited papers …

Meat Marketing : The L.I.P.C. And Japan's Meat Import Controls, G C. George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

hardly a week passes without some reference to Japan's Livestock Industry Promotion Corperation (L.I.P.C.), and its effect on Australian meat exporters.

This article describes some of the functions of the L.I.P.C., and attempts to provide some insights into the Japanese meat market. The author, Gil George, recently returned from Japan after completing a Master's degree in Economics.

The Effects Of Changing Flock Structure On The Amount And Type Of Turn-Off From Sheep Flocks, T Marshall

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In the past the proportion of mated ewes in Western Australia's sheep flocks carried through summer has averaged about 40 per cent and sheep meat production has been basically lamb and old mutton.

If the proportion of mated ewes was lifted to an average of around 50 per cent and wethers were sold off at an average of about 2 1\ 2 years old, there would be substantial increases in sheep meat production. The extra meat produced would be young sheep meat ideally suited for table meats for consumers in W.A. and in many overseas countries.

As a result of …

Why New Land Farmers Need A Super Bounty, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Development of farming land in Western A ustralia's agricultural areas requires the application of large amounts of superphosphate. Since 1963, the Phosphate Fertiliser Bounty applied to superphosphate manufacture has ensured that this superphosphate has been available to farmers at reasonable cost and has helped to make new land development economically worth while.

Originally applied as an incentive to agricultural development, the bounty is now to be withdrawn and it is feared that the resulting increase in the cost of superphosphate will retard development of many West Australian farms and reduce many farm incomes to an unsatisfactory level.

These effects will …

Market Prospects For Rapeseed : 1972-73, R J. Guyton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Interest in rapeseed as an alternative crop in the agricultural region of Western Australia was reflected in the area sown in 1971, some 70,000 acres, and an initial export contract of 10,000 tons made in January 1972.

This market report draws upon information released by the Department of Primary Industry and Department of Trade and Industry (both located in Canberra) and research within the Department of Agriculture. Its purpose is to outline future prospects for rapeseed as an aid to decision making for the 1972 season.

New Chief For Wheat And Sheep Division, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The new Chief of the Department of Agriculture's Wheat and Sheep Division is Mr. W. J. Toms, formerly the Division's Assistant Chief. He replaces Mr. T. E. McDowell who was appointed Assistant Director of Agriculture in September.

Fertilising Quota Wheat Crops, N J. Halse

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BEFORE wheat quotas were introduced, a farmer had to make two major decisions on fertilisers for wheat crops each year—what area to crop; and how much fertiliser to use.

Director Of Agriculture Retires, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In the June, 1934, issue of the Journal of Agriculture appeared an article entitled "A modified rotation for the wheat belt", by T. C. Dunne and F. L. Shier, which advocated a new rotation of pasture, fallow and cereals to replace the crop-fallow rotation generally used at that time.

Dr. Dunne retired on May 8 after 45 years' service to the Department of Agriculture. He had been Director of Agriculture for more than 10 years.

Quarantine : Two New Inspection Centres Built, C R. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A BIGGER population, a busier State; more travellers, more goods from more places; faster, more frequent transport—these things have demanded for Western Australia greater efforts to protect its primary industries from the chance introduction of disease and pests which could attack our plants and animals.

The Outlook For Barley, P J. Hackett, E. J. O'Loughlin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

World production of barley in 1968 was 4,107 million bushels—an increase of 7 per cent, on the previous year.

Further increases are estimated for the 1969 season, especially in Canada and France. World production is expected to be 3 per cent, higher than in 1968.

W.A.G.R. Explains : How Demurrage Affects Farmers, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

An explanation of how W.A.G.R. charges demurrage for rail wagons used by farmers.

West Midlands Development : Sources Of Credit For Farmers, J T. Stoate

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

RAPIDLY increasing costs associated with land development and farm improvement have placed heavy financial burdens on farmers.

At the very least such burdens must often slow the rate of development, increase family hardship and lower farm profitability.

Many farmers however, are unaware of the sources of loan money which could help them overcome their problems.

This article outlines some of the credit sources available.

West Midlands Development : The Economics Of New Land Development, I J. Moncrieff

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE economics of new land development cannot really be separated from the financial aspects.

However, financing development is such a personal business that for general advisory purposes the distinction must be made.

For this reason, the article which follows largely avoids the financial side and is devoted to a consideration of some of the economic factors involved in the development of new land in this area.

Production Costs In The Apple Industry : Comments On A Survey, A W. Hogstrom, I. J. Moncrieff

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN 1964 and 1965, light and heavy bearing years respectively, apples cost $2.40 per bushel to produce in Western Australia. This figure, to be considered with many other factors, was reached in a cost-of-production survey of 45 selected growers.

Packing and labour costs, in that order, were the two biggest cost-of-production items.

Private Irrigation Systems : Do They Pay?, G D. Oliver

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WESTERN AUSTRALIA, with 71,000 acres under irrigation, can hardly claim to have an important irrigation farming industry.

However, irrigation is daily growing in importance, especially through private schemes. These account for almost half the present irrigated area.

Agriculture In Western Australia : Past, Present And Future, A W. Hogstrom

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE post war period has seen very rapid growth and changes in the agriculture of Western Australia.

Almost every industry and region of the State has contributed to the growth of rural production which in turn has been responsible for much of the development in other sectors of the economy.

Agriculture In Western Australia. 3. The Economic Potential Of The Wongan-Ballidu Shire. Part 1, G D. Oliver, A. W. Hogstrom

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN West Australian agriculture there is a considerable "backlog" of information available to farmers which is not being used in practical farming. This, of course, is true of agricultural industries anywhere in the world.

This "backlog" results in a big difference in productivity between the best farms and the "average" farms in each district.

This article is a simple economic study of the potential of one shire of Western Australia.

The Economic Potential Of The Wongan-Ballidu Shire. Part 2. Costs And Returns, G D. Oliver, A. W. Hogstrom

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE potential of the Wongan-Ballidu Shire to produce increased quantities of grain, wool, sheep and meat up to the year 2,000 was estimated and discussed in the first part of this article (see last issue).

In this second and final part the financial returns likely to accrue to the shire and the individual farmers as a result of these increases are discussed.

Agriculture In Western Australia, A W. Hogstrom

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A review of the development of agriculture in Western Australia with an outline of the distribution and importance of present agricultural and pastoral enterprises.

WESTERN Australia's economy has always been largely dominated by its pastoral and agricultural activities.

For short periods gold has given greater annual returns than the products of farms and stations, but these periods have never been very long.

Only in recent years has the value of factory production equalled that of our stations and farms.

The 1964 Ord River Cotton Crop, G D. Oliver, A. W. Hogstrom

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN November-December, 1963, the first five farmers allocated land in the Ord River Irrigation Area planted their first crop of cotton, which is expected to be the major crop grown in the area.

The crop was harvested in May-June, 1964, and has since been sold.