data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalreports/... · web viewthe newcastle...

22
Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 Research by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences About my region 14.11 July 2014

Upload: others

Post on 25-Aug-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agriculturaland Resource Economics and Sciences

About my region 14.11July 2014

Page 2: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

© Commonwealth of Australia 2014

Ownership of intellectual property rightsUnless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other intellectual property rights, if any) in this publication is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia (referred to as the Commonwealth).

Creative Commons licenceAll material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence, save for content supplied by third parties, logos and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided you attribute the work. A summary of the licence terms is available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en. The full licence terms are available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode.

This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as: ABARES 2014, Agriculture, and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales 2014, About my region 14.11, Canberra, July. CC BY 3.0.

Cataloguing dataABARES 2014, Agriculture, and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales 2014, About my region 14.11, Canberra, July.

ISSN TBAISBN 978-1-74323-118-0ABARES project 43009

InternetAgriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales 2014 is available at daff.gov.au/abares/publications.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)Postal address GPO Box 1563 Canberra ACT 2601Switchboard +61 2 6272 2010|Facsimile +61 2 6272 2001Email [email protected] daff.gov.au/abares

Inquiries regarding the licence and any use of this document should be sent to: [email protected].

The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including liability for negligence, for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law.

AcknowledgementsThis regional profile was updated by Tim Caboche, Sonja Nikolova, Mary Stephan and Johnny Xu.

Page 3: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

Contents1 Regional overview.................................................................................................................................. 1

Employment.............................................................................................................................................. 12 Agriculture sector................................................................................................................................... 3

Value of agricultural production......................................................................................................3Number and type of farms.................................................................................................................. 3Farm financial performance—New South Wales......................................................................5

3 Fisheries sector..................................................................................................................................... 12

References........................................................................................................................................................... 13

TablesTable 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2011–12......................................................4

Table 2 Financial performance, New South Wales broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm.................................................................................................................6

Table 3 Selected estimates, vegetable growers, New South Wales............................................11

FiguresFigure 1 Employment profile, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, August 2011..........2

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, New South Wales, 2011–12...........................................................................................................................3

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, New South Wales, 2011–12.....................................................4

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm................................6

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm............................................7

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, sheep industry, average per farm............................................8

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm................................................9

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm...........................................10

MapsMap 1 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.............................................1

Page 4: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

1 Regional overviewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area around the city of Newcastle, north of Sydney (Map 1). The region includes the local government areas of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and small parts of the Port Stephens and Maitland local government areas to the north. The region covers a total area of around 900 square kilometres or less than 1 per cent of New South Wales and is home to approximately 342 600 people (ABS 2011).

Agricultural land in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region occupies 270 square kilometres, or 30 per cent of the region. Areas classified as conservation and natural environments (nature conservation, protected areas and minimal use) occupy 190 square kilometres, or 21 per cent of the region. The most common land use by area is urban intensive uses which occupy 200 square kilometres or 22 per cent of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region.

Map 1 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales

EmploymentAustralian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census data from 2011 indicate that around 155 700 people were employed in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region. The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region accounts for 5 per cent of total employment in New South Wales and 1 per cent of all people employed in the New South Wales agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Health care and social assistance was the largest employing sector in the region with 23 588 people (Figure 1), followed by retail trade with 17 340 people. Other important employment sectors in the region were manufacturing (15 356 people), education and training (13 861 people) and construction (12 343 people).

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employed 460 people, representing less than 1 per cent of the region’s workforce. Of these, 70 per cent were employed in agriculture and 16 per cent in support services for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector. Fishing, hunting and

1

Page 5: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

trapping accounted for a further 6 per cent. In addition, an estimated 1935 people were employed in food product manufacturing and 541 people were employed in wood, pulp and paper product manufacturing in the region (included in manufacturing sector employment).

Figure 1 Employment profile, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, August 2011

- 5 10 15 20 25

OtherAgriculture, Forestry and Fishing

Information Media and TelecommunicationsArts and Recreation Services

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate ServicesElectricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services

MiningAdministrative and Support Services

Wholesale TradeFinancial and Insurance Services

Transport, Postal and WarehousingPublic Administration and Safety

Professional, Scientific and Technical ServicesAccommodation and Food Services

ConstructionEducation and Training

ManufacturingRetail Trade

Health Care and Social Assistance

Employed total ('000 )

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

2

Page 6: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

2 Agriculture sectorValue of agricultural production In 2011–12, the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region was $20 million, which was less than 1 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in New South Wales ($10.8 billion) for 2011–12. This is the most recent year for which data are available from the ABS on GVAP for this region.

Agricultural production in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region is dominated by egg and poultry production. In 2011–12, the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region accounted for around 5 per cent of the total value of New South Wales egg production and 1 per cent of the state’s value of poultry.

The most important commodity in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region based on the gross value of agricultural production was egg production (Figure 2). In 2011–12, eggs contributed 49 per cent (about $10 million) to the value of agricultural production in the region. Poultry accounted for 29 per cent ($6 million), nurseries, flowers and turf 16 per cent ($3 million), and cattle and calves a further 5 per cent ($1 million).

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, New South Wales, 2011–12

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Other

Cattle and calves

Nurseries, flowers and turf

Poultry

Eggs

$m

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Number and type of farmsABS data indicate that in 2011–12 there were 111 farms in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5000 (Table 1). The region contains less than 1 per cent of all farm businesses in New South Wales.

3

Page 7: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2011–12Industry Classification Newcastle and Lake

Macquarie regionNew South Wales

no. % no. %Other livestock 29 27 2,223 5 Beef Cattle 14 13 13,055 30 Fruit and nuts 12 11 2,845 6 Poultry 4 4 468 1 Vegetable 2 2 1,179 3 Nurseries, Cut Flowers and Turf 1 1 543 1 Other 48 43 23,486 54 Total Agriculture 111 100 43,798 100

Note: Where the estimated value of agricultural operations is more than $5000.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Farms are classified in Table 1 according to the activities that generate most of their value of production. Farms with other livestock that is excluding beef cattle (29 farms) were the most common, accounting for 27 per cent of all farms in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, and 1 per cent of all other livestock farms in New South Wales.

A large proportion of farms in the region are small in terms of their business size. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size, and is somewhat similar to turnover. Around 60 per cent of farms in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region had an EVAO of less than $50 000 (Figure 3). These farms accounted for only 7 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2011–12. In comparison, 4 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $350 000 and accounted for an estimated 66 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region in 2011–12.

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region, New South Wales, 2011–12

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

4

Page 8: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

Farm financial performance—New South WalesEach year, ABARES interviews Australian broadacre, dairy and vegetable producers as part of its annual survey program. Broadacre industries covered in this survey include the grains, grains–livestock, sheep, beef and sheep–beef industries. The information collected is a basis for analysing the current financial position of farms in these industries and expected changes in the short term. This paper uses data from the ABARES Australian agriculture and grazing industries survey (AAGIS), Australian dairy industry survey (ADIS), and Australian vegetable growing industry survey to report estimates of financial performance indicators (Box 1) for broadacre, dairy and vegetable farms in New South Wales.

Box 1 Definitions

Major financial performance indicators

Total cash receipts: total revenues received by the business during the financial year.

Total cash costs: payments made by the business for materials and services and for permanent and casual hired labour (excluding owner manager, partner and family labour).

Farm cash income: total cash receipts – total cash costs

Farm business profit: farm cash income + changes in trading stocks – depreciation – imputed labour costs

Profit at full equity: return produced by all the resources used in the business, farm business profit + rent + interest + finance lease payments – depreciation on leased items

Rate of return: return to all capital used, profit at full equity * 100 / total opening capital

Equity ratio: Farm capital minus farm debt expressed as a percentage of farm capital

Industry types

Grains: farms mainly engaged in producing broadacre crops such as wheat, coarse grains, oilseeds and pulses, and including farms running sheep and/or beef cattle in conjunction with substantial broadacre crop activity.

Sheep: farms mainly engaged in running sheep.

Beef: farms mainly engaged in running beef cattle.

Dairy: farms mainly engaged in milk production.

Vegetable: farms mainly engaged in growing vegetables.

Performance of broadacre farms—New South WalesIn 2013–14, increases in average farm cash income are expected for grains and sheep farms in southern regions of New South Wales, the Riverina and Central Western New South Wales as a result of increased grain production and higher sheep and lamb prices.

In the North West Slopes and Plains and Far West New South Wales and the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, farm cash incomes are estimated to decline as drought conditions reduce crop production (Table 3). Incomes for beef and sheep farms are estimated to decline as a result of lower saleyard prices for cattle and despite an increase in the number of

5

Page 9: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

sheep, lambs and cattle expected to be sold. Expenditure on fodder purchases is estimated to increase. The proportion of farms recording negative farm cash incomes is estimated to exceed 30 per cent in all northern regions.

Overall, with increased incomes in the south and reduced incomes in the north, average farm cash income for New South Wales broadacre farms is estimated to decline only slightly in 2013–14, compared with 2012–13 (Table 2). On average, farm cash income for broadacre farms in New South Wales is estimated to average $90 000 per farm in 2013–14, still around 40 per cent above the 10-year average to 2012–13 (Figure 4).

Farm business profits are estimated to decline to an average loss of $15 000 per farm in 2013–14 as sheep and beef cattle numbers and stocks of grain and fodder on-farm are reduced.

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm

0

50

100

150

Australia New South Wales

2013–14$'000

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.

Table 2 Financial performance, New South Wales broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm

Performance indicatorunit

s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yTotal cash receipts $ 369 820 388 400 (5) 382 000Total cash costs $ 291 120 290 800 (5) 292 000Farm cash income $ 78 700 97 600 (8) 90 000Farms with negative farm cash income % 31 23 (14) 35

Farm business profit $ - 2 370 6 700(118

) - 15 000Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 35 490 41 200 (21) 18 000Farm capital at 30 June a $ 3 563 410 3 548 200 (4) naFarm debt at 30 June b $ 477 350 415 200 (8) 416 000Equity ratio b % 86 88 (1) naRate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 1.0 1.2 (19) 0.5Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 33 580 39 400 (12) na

6

Page 10: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.

Table 3 Farm cash income of New South Wales broadacre farms, by region, 2012–13 to 2013–14, average per farm

Region units 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yFar West New South Wales $ 153 000 (17) 86 000North West Slopes and Plains $ 132 800 (20) 2 000Central West $ 91 200 (15) 128 000Riverina $ 159 700 (13) 185 000Tablelands $ 42 400 (23) 52 000Coastal New South Wales $ - 20 000 (45) - 2 000

Note: p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.

Performance of grains industry farms—New South WalesAverage farm cash income for New South Wales grains industry farms increased in 2012–13 compared with 2011–12 (Figure 5). Higher crop prices more than offset reductions in crop production resulting from drier conditions through winter and spring in most regions and high temperatures in northern summer cropping regions mid-summer. On mixed enterprise farms, increased crop receipts and a small increase in beef cattle receipts resulting from increased cattle turnoff were partly offset by reduced receipts from sheep due to lower sheep, lamb and wool prices.

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm

0

50

100

150

200

250

Australia New South Wales

2013–14$'000

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.

Overall, in 2013–14, crop receipts are estimated to decline for New South Wales grains farms as a result of much reduced production of both winter and summer crops in northern cropping regions subject to drought conditions and despite increased grain crop production in southern regions. On mixed enterprise farms, lower crop receipts are expected to be partly offset by

7

Page 11: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

increased receipts from sheep and lambs as a result of higher prices, together with an overall increase in beef cattle receipts as drier conditions result in turnoff of more beef cattle at significantly reduced prices.

Farm cash income for New South Wales grains industry farms is estimated to average $141 000 per farm in 2013–14, a reduction on the average farm cash income of $170 000 per farm for 2012–13, and above the industry average for the previous 10 years (Figure 5). Farm cash incomes for New South Wales grains industry farms were generally reduced by dry conditions throughout much of this decade.

Performance of sheep industry farms—New South WalesIn 2012–13, lower prices received for adult sheep, lambs and wool more than offset small increases in wool production and in sheep and lamb turnoff, together with reductions in expenditure on sheep purchases and interest payments. Adult sheep prices declined by 44 per cent; lamb prices by 17 per cent and the average wool price received by 11 per cent.

In 2013–14, higher average prices for adult sheep and lambs are estimated to be offset by increased expenditure on fodder to result in average farm cash income for sheep industry farms remaining similar to that recorded in 2012–13 at an average of $67 000 per farm. This is around 20 per cent above the industry average of $56 000 per farm for the ten-years to 2012–13, in real terms (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, sheep industry, average per farm

-50

0

50

100

150

Australia New South Wales

2013–14$'000

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.

Performance of beef industry farms—New South WalesA smaller average herd size for New South Wales beef industry farms compared with the average for the whole of Australia results in average farm cash income for New South Wales beef industry farms typically being below the national average (Figure 7).

A return to drier seasonal conditions in 2012–13 resulted in an increase in beef cattle turnoff in all New South Wales regions of around 6 per cent and a slow-down in the rate of increase in herd sizes. Lower average sale prices received for beef cattle resulted in only a small increase in

8

Page 12: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

beef receipts (1 per cent) and average farm cash income for New South Wales beef industry farms increased to $31 000 per farm in 2012–13.

In 2013–14, expansion of drought conditions is estimated to have led to a further increase in cattle turn-off. It is estimated that this increase will be offset by reductions in saleyard prices for cattle, resulting in only a small increase in farm receipts that will be more than offset by increased expenditure on fodder, fuel and freight costs, resulting in average farm cash income for beef industry farms declining to $21 000 per farm, around 35 per cent below the ten-year average to 2012–13 (Figure 7).

In addition, reduction of cattle numbers on farms is estimated to result in a further reduction in the value of on-farm inventories and a reduction in farm business profit for beef industry farms, representing an average loss of $50 000 per farm in 2013–14.

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm

0

50

100

150

Australia New South Wales

2012–13$'000

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.

Performance of dairy industry farms—New South WalesIn 2012–13, lower average farmgate milk prices together with a small reduction in milk production and an increase in costs, resulting mainly from a 25 per cent increase in fodder expenditure, resulted in lower average farm cash incomes for all New South Wales dairy regions. Overall, for the whole of New South Wales, farm cash income for dairy farms averaged $66 000 per farm, well below the average for the previous 10 years (Figure 8).

9

Page 13: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm

0

50

100

150

200

250

Australia New South Wales

2013–14$'000

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.

In 2013–14, average farm cash income for New South Wales dairy farms is estimated to increase markedly in southern New South Wales as a result of higher milk prices and despite further increase in fodder expenditure. However, much smaller increases are expected in average farm cash income in central and north-eastern New South Wales regions where increases in milk prices have generally been small and seasonal conditions drier.

Overall, when regional differences are taken into account, average farm cash income for New South Wales dairy farms is estimated to increase to $112 000 per farm, which is close to the average for the previous 10 years.

Table 4 Financial performance, New South Wales dairy industry, 2010–11 to 2012–13, average per farm

Performance indicator units 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yTotal cash receipts $ 713 500 694 500 (4) 759 000Total cash costs $ 553 980 629 800 (4) 647 000Farm cash income $ 159 510 64 600 (24) 112 000Farms with negative farm cash income % 11 23 (15) 24Farm business profit $ 63 550 - 13 700 (120) 16 000Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 122 360 42 000 (39) 70 000Farm capital at 30 June a $ 3 889 800 3 896 300 (5) naFarm debt at 30 June b $ 655 970 683 100 (11) 678 000Equity ratio b % 83 82 (2) naRate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 3.1 1.1 (40) 1.8Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 16 130 22 300 (19) na

Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.

10

Page 14: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

Performance of Vegetable industry farms—New South WalesNew South Wales vegetable growing farms are mainly located in three regions across the state: Greater Sydney, the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and the far north coast. In 2011–12, the average area operated by a vegetable growing farm in New South Wales was around 77 hectares of which 19 hectares were planted to vegetables, with the largest 10 per cent of farms averaging 148 hectares planted to vegetables. The majority of vegetable growing farms grew more than one vegetable type (88 per cent of vegetable growing farms) in 2011–12 with a small proportion growing five or more vegetable types (14 per cent). The common vegetables grown were pumpkins (206 farms), tomatoes (206 farms), cabbage (182 farms) and cauliflower (89 farms).

Farm cash income increased in 2011–12 to $95 400 per vegetable growing farm (Table 3). This result was driven by a larger decline in total cash costs than total cash receipts. Total cash receipts declined by 4 per cent in 2011–12 to average $331 400 per farm, while total cash costs decreased by 7 per cent to average $236 000 per farm in 2011–12.

In 2012–13, a reduction in the average area planted to vegetables together with lower yields (except for some large irrigated vegetable growing farms located in the Murray-Darling Basin), reduced vegetable production and total cash receipts. The reduction in total cash receipts was mostly offset by reduced cash costs due to the reduction in average area planted, resulting in average farm cash income remaining relatively similar to 2011–12 . Farm cash income is expected to average $98 000 per farm in 2012–13.

Table 3 Selected estimates, vegetable growers, New South Wales

average per farmSelected estimates units 2010–11 2011–12p RSE 2012–13y

Number of growers no. 567 661 661

Vegetables receipts $ 271 650 303 100 (11) 298 000

Total cash receipts $ 343 880 331 400 (10) 311 000

Total cash costs $ 254 340 236 000 (15) 213 000

Farm cash income $ 89 550 95 400 (14) 98 000

Rate of return a % 0.7 0.6 (117) 0.4

Total area operated June 30 ha 39 77 (27) na

Area sown to vegetables ha 24 19 (19) 17

Total vegetables sold t 512 484 (32) 479

Total area of vegetables irrigated ha 23 18 (20) na

Volume of irrigation water applied ml 65 60 (23) na

Note: a Excludes capital appreciations. p Preliminary estimate y Provisional estimate. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for Vegetable farms will be available November 2014.Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

11

Page 15: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

3 Fisheries sectorMajor ports for commercial fishing in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region include Newcastle and Swansea. Species caught by commercial fishers in the area include prawns, eastern rocklobster, bugs, a range of finfish, and blue swimmer crabs. Recreational fishing occurs in the coastal waters and also in Lake Macquarie. Common species caught by recreational fishers are whiting, luderick, blue swimmer crab, yellowfin bream, dusky flathead and tailor.

In 2011–12, the gross value of New South Wales fisheries production was estimated to be around $136 million, an increase of 6 per cent ($8million) from 2010–11. New South Wales contributed 6 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2011–12. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 60 per cent ($81.6 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 40per cent ($55 million).

New South Wales wild-catch fisheries provide a range of fisheries products. In 2011–12, finfish species contributed 53 per cent of the wild-catch production, valued at $44 million. The main finfish species landed were sea mullet, with a gross value of production of $5.3 million, followed by school whiting ($4.6 million), snapper ($3.5 million), black and yellowfin bream ($2.9 million) and yellowtail kingfish ($2.8 million). Prawns contributed 19 per cent of the total value of wild-catch fisheries with a value of $16 million, with other important crustacean groups being eastern rocklobster (10 per cent; $8 million) and crabs (6 per cent; $4.6 million).

In 2011–12, the value of New South Wales aquaculture production is estimated to have increase by 14 per cent from $48 million in 2010–11 to $55million. Oyster production makes the greatest contribution to New South Wales aquaculture production, accounting for 80 per cent of production by value, worth $43 million. Prawns ($2 million) and finfish aquaculture species, including silver perch ($3 million), trout ($2 million) and barramundi ($1 million) make up most of the remaining aquaculture production.

Commonwealth fisheries active in New South Wales include the Small Pelagic Fishery, the Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery (mainly supplying export markets with tuna), and the Commonwealth trawl sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark fishery.

In 2011–12, New South Wales fisheries product exports were valued at $18 million. The main export products include live and fresh, chilled or frozen fish, rocklobster and abalone. Japan and Hong Kong, are the major destinations for New South Wales fisheries exports, accounting for 40 per cent, and 39 per cent of the total value of exports in 2011–12, respectively. Other major export destinations include Thailand (6 per cent) and Italy (4 per cent).

The New South Wales coastline is an important recreational fishing area, with a multitude of inlets and estuaries from which to fish (NSWDPI 2013). Being a tourism precinct, the region offers a number of recreational fishing opportunities, with the value of this activity to the regional economy likely to be significant. There are also a range of game fishing tournaments throughout the year, including in the Bermagui and Port Stephens area, targeting tuna and marlin species. New South Wales also contains a number of recreational only fishing areas, especially in the far south coast of New South Wales, a popular destination for both marine and freshwater recreational fishers. A large number of recreational fishers also fish in the Greater Sydney area, stretching from the Newcastle to Illawarra area, and comprising the city areas of Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. Species commonly targeted in the area include yellowfin bream, dusky flathead, yellowtail, blue swimmer crab, squid, and southern calamari (Steffe and Murphy 2011).

12

Page 16: data.daff.gov.audata.daff.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aa/regionalReports/... · Web viewThe Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales is located in the urbanised coastal area

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, 2014 ABARES

ReferencesABS 2011, Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2012, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2010–11, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

NSWDPI (New South Wales Department of Primary Industries) 2013, Fishing Guides, available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/publications.

Steffe, AS & Murphy, JJ, 2011, Recreational fishing surveys in the Greater Sydney Region, NSW Fisheries final report series no. 131, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence, Cronulla, New South Wales.

13