Antinuclear

Drought wipes billions from Australian farm production

ABC Rural By national rural reporter Kath Sullivan  4 Mar 19.The value of all that is farmed in Australia has fallen to $58 billion, from $63.8 billion two years ago.

In its latest commodity report, released today, ABARES found improved commodity prices and the low Australian dollar had softened the decline, largely driven by drought.

“Drought in the eastern states significantly reduced the 2018–19 winter crop, but one of the largest Western Australian harvests on record has provided a buffer to the national total,” it said.

Livestock industries also contributed to the decline, with ABARES reporting the volume of livestock products dropped by 2 per cent this year.

“Milk and wool production have been affected by the drought, and a significant decline in live animal exports also contributed to the fall,” it said.

“This is largely because of cessation in live sheep exports during the northern hemisphere summer months.”

ABARES reported that floods in Queensland last month could further reduce the volume of live cattle exports…….. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-05/value-of-australian-farm-production-drops-abares-figures/10867294

March 5, 2019 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming