Agricultural Economics Commons^™

Final Evaluation Of The North East Agricultural Region (Near) Strategy, Andrew Blake, Don Burnside, Vicki Williams

All other publications

No abstract provided.

Western Australian Farmer Survey 2011, Mandy Curnow, Andrew Van Burgel, Jackie Bucat, Anne Jones

Animal production and livestock published reports

DAFWA commissioned this WA sheep producer survey as an additional data set to the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Innovation (Sheep CRC) national producer survey. The data was collected by telephone survey in February and March 2011 for the purposes of gathering benchmark information on a range of sheep management practices. The data collected mostly relates to flock management during the 2010 season. The same survey will be run again in 2014 and a comparison of the information collected will be used to measure how producers have changed their practices during that time.

Producers were phoned and invited to contribute …

Planning Ahead - A Guide For Your Cropping Program, Janet Paterson

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

It is difficult to think logically and make rational choices when under extreme pressure.

The seasonal break between harvest and preparation for seeding is a good time to get some rest and take some time to consider the position of your enterprise.

This is your best opportunity to assess risks and make important decisions when the demands on your time are few.

Most people, farm managers included, struggle to make sound decisions if they are extremely stressed-this is only natural. If you feel that you are struggling to make decisions, counselling services are a valuable resource to help you plan …

Carbon Capture Project, Final Report. An Evaluation Of The Opportunity And Risks Of Carbon Offset Based Enterprises In The Kimberley-Pilbara Region Of Western Australia, Mark Alchin, Elizabeth Tierney, Chris Chilcott

Bulletins 4000 -

Commercialisation of carbon in the Australian Rangelands could lead to the development of a multi-billion dollar industry, and Western Australia has the potential to capture a significant share of this revenue. A significant proportion of the WA Rangelands is degraded which is the legacy of the exploitative practices of historical pastoral development and the mining industry. Full environmental restoration of these areas is well beyond the fiscal capacity of land managers and the WA State Government. Carbon based enterprises have the potential to restore large tracts of degraded land in a cost-effective manner and can deliver a number of other …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Western Australian Part Of The Nullarbor Region, Peter-Jon A. Waddell, A K. Gardner, P Hennig

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 2005 and 2007, describes and maps the natural resources of the region. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the area's natural resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The Nullarbor region has …

Current And Future Food Demand In Western Australia. Module 1 Scoping Study, Andrew Weinert, Robert R. Rouda

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

Maintaining and growing our food industries are priorities of the Western Australian Government and its Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA). Understanding our current food consumption levels, imports, exports and production limitations is critical to the formulation of effective agricultural and food polices.

The WA food industries are affected by several factors that include previous domestic policies and market instruments; general lack of scale; geographical isolation; access to suitable land and water; the availability and use of new technology, communication, processing and transport infrastructure that facilitate efficient marketing; sales and administration; social factors; international tariffs and other trade …

Can R&D Investment Offset The Negative Impact Of Climate Change On Agricultural Productivity?, Nazrul Islam, Ruhul A. Salim

Climate Science Published Reports

Productivity growth in agriculture helps maintain the nation's economic prosperity. However, long-run productivity growth in agriculture faces several challenges such as the potential worsening of climate due to global warming and the loss of productive land due to land use competition, salinity, wind erosion and soil acidity. Strategic policy making and appropriate funding for sustained productivity growth in agriculture is therefore crucial.

Research and development (R&D) to drive innovation is an acknowledged main source of productivity growth. The development and application of technologies generated through R&D boosts agriculture's productivity. Agricultural R&D activities in Australia and in most other developed economies …

Wool Desk Report June 2009: Flock Demographics And Producer Intentions - February 2009 National Survey Results, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Kimbal Curtis

Animal production and livestock published reports

This issue of Wool Desk Report presents the results of a survey of 1 410 Australian sheep producers conducted in February 2009. The survey was done to provide information to the Australian Wool Innovation’s Production Forecasting Committee and to update the flock model that is used by the relevant state forecasting committees. The survey methodology follows that reported in the May 2007 issue of Wool Desk Report (Curtis 2007).

The producers in the survey collectively produced 24.3 thousand tonnes of wool from a total of 4.3 million adult sheep and 1.7 million lambs shorn during 2007–2008. This represented a sample …

Wool Desk Report February 2009: Time Of Lambing In Australian Flocks, Keith Croker, Kimbal Curtis, Jane Speijers, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

Producers throughout Australia were surveyed in 2005, 2006 and 2007 to identify the times when they lambed their ewes. This study was undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia for Australian Wool Innovation Limited and the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre.

The start of lambing followed similar patterns in the years surveyed. However, lambing of Merino ewes began last in Tasmania and earliest in South Australia and Western Australia.

Data for Merino first cross ewes were collected in 2007 when Tasmania had the latest lambings and Queensland the earliest lambings.

Combined results for the three years …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Lower Murchison River Area, Western Australia, P Hennig

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the lower Murchison River area, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 2002 and 2003, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. This survey report presents …

Wheat Invest. A Compelling Business Case For Investment In The Western Australian Wheat Industry, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

Western Australia (WA) is an ideal location for wheat production. It has competitive advantages including:

• A proven track record in wheat production accounting for approximately 50 per cent of Australia's production. Based on a five year average from 2003/04 to 2007/08*, WA produces around 7.7 million tonnes of wheat per year.

• Over the past five years, the top 25 per cent of farmers averaged 10 per cent return on capital excluding changes in land value.

• Export focussed due to WA's small population. 90 per cent of WA's wheat is exported

• Abundant land at competitive prices and …

Returns To R&D Investment Of Dafwa: Benefit Cost Analysis, 2005-2006, Nazrul Islam

Bulletins 4000 -

The primary outcome or objective of the projects that are assessed, is to increase the market competitiveness and profitability of agri-industry.

Brassicas From Western Australia At A Glance, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

Western Australia produces all of its domestic fresh broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage requirements and is ideally positioned to service markets in Asia, the Indian Ocean region and beyond. Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei account for about 78 per cent of vegetable brassica exports from Western Australia. However, markets also exist in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and the Middle East.

Opportunities may also exist for supplying value added product such as fresh cut or frozen prepacked florets.The industry, supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food, is pursuing opportunities in productivity improvement, quality assurance and marketing which will …

Increased Demand For Wool Apparel In Western European Markets: Effect On Australian Wool Auctions, Nazrul Islam, John Stanton, Emma Kopke

Agriculture reports

The need for marketing activities in retail markets for wool apparel is a current and reoccurring industry debate. This paper reports on the impact of these activities, as a change of demand for pure wool apparels at retail, on the price and quantity of raw wool cleared through Australian wool auctions. The analysis uses a world wool trade model developed by the Department of Agriculture Western Australian and the University of Western Australia which tracks global flows of wool and wool products from production to retail in 10 regional markets. The impact of demand is presented for selected wool garments …

Improving Profit In The Flower Growing Business, Gerry Parlevliet

Agriculture reports

Flower growing is a business. It can be a very profitable business. Just as in any enterprise the success depends very much on the knowledge, skill, tools and business acumen the owner brings to the operation. All small businesses face similar hurdles to achieving success. A small proportion grow and become highly profitable, the bulk allow the owner operator to make a living but unfortunately a percentage of enterprises fold up after a relatively short time or are maintained in a sub profitable form. This bulletin will provide some experiences, tools, suggestions for new flower businesses and for those that …

An Inventory Of Rangelands In Part Of The Broome Shire, Western Australia, W E. Cotching

Technical Bulletins

The inventory of rangelands in part of the Broome Shire in Western Australia was undertaken by DAFWA between 1989 and 1990. It describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The survey of part of the Broome Shire …

South Korea Country Profile 2005, Georgia Thomas

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has a population of 48 million, with 12 million living in the capital of Seoul. The population is highly literate with Korean the main language and English taught widely in schools. South Korea is highly urbanised, with 81 per cent of the population living in urban areas. While there is a strong demand for traditional Korean style foods, there is an increasing trend towards western style products (led by the younger generations) with particular emphasis on healthy/well being products.

The land area covers 99,200 square kilometres (1.4 per cent of the size of Australia). …

Gross Margins Guide 2005 Western Australia, Allan Herbert

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

The Western Australian Department of Agriculture has prepared this 2005 booklet with the following aim:

To provide budgeting information for farmers, agribusiness, and other students of agriculture to enhance understanding and more informed decision making.

It builds on a previous similar booklet - "Gross Margins Guide 2003" - which was produced in 2002 with Commonwealth Bank sponsorship. 2,500 copies of that booklet were produced and gained wide readership. Gross margins for broad area agriculture had not been published by the Department for the previous 1 O years. Feedback and further requests suggested that an update was necessary - hence this …

Miscellaneous Publication 19/2004 - Ord River Irrigation Area 2003 - Gross Margin Budget Guide For Horticultural Crops, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics research reports

Replaces Bulletin 4414

In 2000, Joanna Embry and Peter Gartrell, put together a Budget Guide for the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). This document is an update with the objectives of updating some of those budgets to reflect current prices and yields. The two types of crops analysed are annual crops (cucurbits, field crops) and perennial crops (mangoes, bananas, and red fleshed grapefruit).

The analyses are prepared as guides of likely cost types and may not relate to individual growers. There is a wide range of fruit production systems, management techniques, varieties and market options making for a wide variation …

Miscellaneous Publication 8/2004 - Midas User Manual. Version 1, Ross Kingwell, Felicity Flugge, Emma Kopke, Michael O'Connell

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

What is MIDAS?

It's a computer model of dryland farming in Western Australia. MIDAS is an acronym (Model of an Integrated Dryland Agricultural System). Currently there are five versions of MIDAS, each describes a representative farm in a particular farming region of Western Australia. Versions exist for the following regions (see Figure 1):

• the Eastern Wheatbelt;
• the Central Wheatbelt;
• the West Midlands;
• the Great Southern; and,
• the South Coast.

Each of these versions is a mathematical programming model of a representative farm.

Miscellaneous Publication 26/2003 - Benefit -Cost Analysis Of Soil Acidity Research Development And Extension In Western Australia, 1992-93 To 2001-02, Michael O'Connell, Chris Gazey

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

The program of publicly funded soil acidity RD&E' conducted in Western Australia from 1992-93 to 2001-02 is expected to deliver benefits to the farm sector over future years. Benefit-cost analysis indicates that these industry benefits should outweigh the public cost of the RD&E several times over.

Using a 20-year analysis period, the RD&E is estimated to have a net present value (NPV) of $84 million, and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 5.8. Extending the analysis to 30 years results in an NPV of $135 million and a BCR of 8.7. These large returns are due to a combination of factors: …

Information On Pastoral Businesses In The Rangelands Of Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

Edited by William Dalton and Francis Bright

The rangelands make up 87 per cent of Western Australia's landmass and include all but the south-west of the State. Livestock grazing on pastoral leasehold is the dominant commercial land use across 42 per cent (910,000 km*) of the WA rangelands and unallocated Crown lands comprise another 37 per cent.

The rangelands:

• Produce most of the State's mineral and energy wealth.

• Support important segments of the livestock industry.

• Are of special significance to the Aboriginal population.

• Offer major tourism potential.

• Contain essential elements of the State's biological diversity.

• Offer opportunities to produce horticultural …

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Agricultural Processing And The Western Australian Economy, Nazrul Islam, Peter Johnson

Agriculture reports

This paper investigated the impact that an expansion in agricultural processing would have on the Western Australian economy by developing and applying a Computable General Equilibrium economic model of Western Australia (called WAM). WAM was used to simulate the effects of a $1 million expansion in eight agricultural processing industries.

Invest For Success - Investing In Agriculture In The South West Irrigation Area, Caroline Hatherly, Janet Mccreddin, Georgia Thomas

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

For the South West Irrigation Area to grow and prosper, it is essential that information be gathered and shared, the region promoted, and water used efficiently. The INTERACT project has been developed to do just that and will be a driver for agricultural development into the future.

" Once SWI just delivered water; now it is helping its irrigation industries to grow." Vision statement, South West Irrigation

National And Regional Assessments Of Crop Yield Trends And Relative Production Efficiency : Theme 5.1. Land Use Change, Productivity And Diversification, David Stephens

Agriculture reports

National and regional assessment in Australia of relative production (yield) efficiency for wheat and other cereals providing estimates of biological production potential based on seasonal climatic conditions, compared with actual production values for selected historical dates between 1982 and 2000.

Western Australian Avocado Industry Survey - 2000, Alec Mccarthy

Horticulture research reports

Key components of the project: The avocado industry in Western Australia has been steadily growing over the past 15 years. During this time there has been no comprehensive survey of the industry to determine its size and production base. This survey aimed to collect information from as many commercial avocado growers as possible about tree numbers, age, yield, markets, growing methods and general industry knowledge.

Industry significance: This survey will provide comprehensive data on the avocado industry that will enable producers, packers, marketeers, investors, etc to have greater confidence in their various decision makings.

Key outcomes: Significant increases in annual …

Profiting From Adversity - Meeting The Challenge Of Salinity Through New Industry Development, Andrew Quinn, Tamara Law, Peter Rowe

Natural resources published reports

Salinity in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia is one of the most significant challenges facing the State's agricultural sector.

Efforts to manage the increasing effect of salt influenced and threatened farming land requires not only the implementation of new farming systems, but a new way of thinking and attitude to production more in tune with environmental and technological limitations.

While past environment lobby pressures have significantly focused on other production activities such as mining and forestry, the future is likely to see increased community interest in agricultural production systems.

Consumers World wide are becoming more environmentally sensitive, with global media …

Community Support For Natural Resource Management. Future Frameworks: Future Needs, Fionnuala Frost, Wendy Dymond, Soil And Land Conservation Council Of Western Australia

Natural resources published reports

A report prepared for the Soil and Land Conservation Council of Western Australia.

Emerging from the Decade of Landcare is growing recognition that regional and local community involvement is integral to the success of any natural resource management (NRM) outcome. It is integral for a number of reasons:

1. Community support provides the capacity to develop plans and strategies at local, regional scale which are owned by the community who review (technical recommendations, advice and information and adapt them to suit local need;

2. Community knowledge provides an important balance to research knowledge and State and regional level strategies and …

Growing Lavender In Western Australia, Aileen Reid

Bulletins 4000 -

Lavender oil is an essential oil, derived from plants (genus Lavendulai primarily by steam distillation of the flowers. There are several types of lavender oil. The 'true' lavender oil, and the most highly prized, comes from Lavendula augustifolia; it is primarily used in the fragrance and perfume industry. World production is about 200 tonnes per year. Spike lavender oil, derived from Lavendula latifolia, has a world production of about 150-200 tonnes per year. Lavandin oil is derived from hybrids of L. augustifolia x L. latifolia that yield much higher than L. augustifolia but the oil is lower quality, hence it …

Bulletin 4422 - Exotic Diseases - Cattle, Agriculture Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

An exotic disease is a disease that is not present in Australia.

If an exotic disease did occur in Australia it would cause· production losses, stock deaths and stop exports of primary production. When export markets are lost they can only be re-established once it is proven the disease is eradicated