Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North Region of South Australia

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke- Mid North region of South Australia, 2015

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences About my region 15.36 March 2015 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Ownership of intellectual property rights Unless 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 licence All 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. Cataloguing data ABARES 2015, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015, About my region 15.36, Canberra, March. CC BY 3.0.

ISBN 978-1-74323-106-7 ABARES project 43009

Internet Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia 2015 is available at agriculture.gov.au/abares. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Postal address GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Switchboard +61 2 6272 3933 Facsimile +61 2 6272 2001 Email [email protected] Web agriculture.gov.au/abares Inquiries about the licence and any use of this document should be sent to [email protected]. The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law. Acknowledgements ABARES relies on the voluntary cooperation of farmers participating in the annual Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, Australian Dairy Industry Survey, and Australian Vegetable Growing Farms Survey to provide data used in the preparation of this report. Without their help, these surveys would not be possible. ABARES farm survey staff collected most of the information presented in this report through on-farm interviews with farmers. This regional profile was updated by Therese Thompson, Haydn Valle, Timothy Connolly, Lucy Randall and Sharan Singh. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Contents

iii Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Maps Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

1) Regional overview

The Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia is located in the south-east of the state, north of Adelaide (Map 1). The region comprises fourteen local government areas and the major regional towns of Clare, Peterborough, Port Pirie, Tanunda and Wallaroo. The region covers a total area of around 37 700 square kilometres or 4 per cent of South Australia’s total area and is home to approximately 106 500 people (ABS 2011).

Agricultural land in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region occupies 34 930 square kilometres, or 93 per cent of the region. Areas classified as conservation and natural environments (nature conservation, protected areas and minimal use) occupy 2030 square kilometres, or 5 per cent of the region. The most common land use by area is dryland cropping, which occupies 15 460 square kilometres or 41 per cent of the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region.

Map 1 Broad agricultural land use of the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014)

5 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Map 2 Agricultural industries of the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014) Employment

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the 2014 Labour Force Survey indicate that around 50 200 people were employed in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region. The Barossa- Yorke-Mid North region accounts for 6 per cent of total employment in South Australia and 22 per cent of all people employed in the South Australian agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing was the largest employing sector with 9800 people (Figure 1), representing 19 per cent of the region’s workforce. Health care and social assistance sector was the second largest employing sector with 7100 people followed by manufacturing with 6700 people. Other important employment sectors in the region were retail trade (4300 people), education and training (3800 people) and, accommodation and food services (3100 people). Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Figure 1 Employment profile, Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region, November 2014

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Health Care and Social Assistance Manufacturing Retail Trade Education and Training Accommodation and Food Services Transport, Postal and Warehousing Construction Administrative and Support Services Public Administration and Safety Other Services Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Wholesale Trade Mining Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Financial and Insurance Services Arts and Recreation Services Information Media and Telecommunications Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services

Employed total ('000 ) - 5 10 15

Note: Annual average of the preceding 4 quarters. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 6291.0, Labour Force, Australia

2) Agriculture sector

Value of agricultural production

In 2012–13, the gross value of agricultural production in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region was $1.5 billion, which was 28 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in South Australia ($5.6 billion). This is the most recent year for which ABS data are available.

The agricultural sector in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region is dominated by cereal crops. The most important commodity in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region based on the gross value of agricultural production was wheat (Error: Reference source not found). In 2012–13, wheat contributed 31 per cent ($475 million) to the value of agricultural production in the region. Barley accounted for 18 per cent ($273 million); poultry 8 per cent ($131 million); pigs 7 per cent ($131 million), sheep and lamb, and sheep 6 per cent each ($87 million).

In 2012–13, the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region accounted for around 66 per cent of the total value of South Australian tomato production and egg production, 60 per cent of the total value of hay and 41 per cent of the total value of barley.

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region, South Australia, 2012–13

Barley

Poultry

Sheep and lambs

Canola

Wine grapes

Vegetables

Cattle and calves

$m 100 200 300 400 500 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 7503.0, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Number and type of farms

In 2011–12 there were 3753 farms in the Barossa - Yorke - Mid North region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5000 (Table 1). The region contains 27 per cent of all farm businesses in South Australia.

Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2012–13 Industry Classification Barossa - Yorke - Mid North region South Australia no. % no. % Grain growing 1 201 33 2 136 16 Mixed grains and livestock 986 27 2 253 17 Fruit and nuts 430 12 2 332 18 Sheep 371 10 1 626 12 Other livestock 89 2 316 2 Beef Cattle 80 2 1 336 10 Other 512 14 3 025 23 Total Agriculture 3 670 100 13 025 100 Note: Estimated value of agricultural operations greater 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. Grain growing farms (1347 farms) were the most common, accounting for 36 per cent of all farms in the Barossa - Yorke - Mid North region, and 51 per cent of all grain growing farms in South Australia.

There is a large percentage of small farms in the region in terms of their value of agricultural output. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size. Around 25 per cent of farms in the Barossa - Yorke - Mid North region had an EVAO of less than $50 000 (Figure 3). These farms accounted for only 2 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2012–13. In comparison, 31 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $350 000 and accounted for an estimated 79 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region.

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Barossa - Yorke - Mid North, South Australia, 2012–13 40

% < $50k $50k to $150k $150k to $350k $350k to $500k $500k to $1 m > $1 m Share of farms Share of value of agricultural operations

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Farm financial performance—South Australia

Each 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 agricultural 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 South Australia.

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. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

Performance of broadacre farms—South Australia South Australian broadacre farm cash incomes are projected to increase to an average of $231 000 a farm in 2013–14 (Table 2 and Error: Reference source not found), around 85 per cent above the average farm cash income recorded for the 10 years to 2012–13.

A 30 per cent increase in winter crop production and higher sheep and lamb prices has resulted in projected average farm cash income and business profit increasing in all South Australian regions, with the largest increase expected in the Eyre Peninsula (Table 3). Drier seasonal conditions in the Northern Pastoral region have resulted in increased cattle turn-off and farm receipts.

Overall, crop receipts in 2013–14 are projected to increase by around 24 percent, sheep and lamb receipts by 9 per cent and beef cattle receipts by 4 per cent. Wool receipts are also expected to be higher. Overall, average total cash costs are projected to increase by around 6 per cent, with the largest increase expected in repairs and maintenance as producers make use of higher cash flow.

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

2013–140 $'000

Australia South Australia

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Table 2 Financial performance, South Australia broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm unit Performance indicator s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE (%) 2013–14y Total cash receipts $ 517 330 497 700 (10) 580 000 Total cash costs $ 326 790 330 100 (9) 49 000 Farm cash income $ 190 550 167 500 (15) 231 000 Farms with negative farm cash income % 11 13 (32) 9 Farm business profit $ 75 380 55 000 (41) 101 000 Profit at full equity - excluding capital appreciation $ 114 350 99 900 (24) 145 000 Farm capital at 1 July a $ 3 742 960 3 945 500 (7) na Farm debt at 30 June b $ 407 340 459 900 (12) 439 000 Equity ratio b % 89 88 (1) na Rate of return - excluding capital appreciation c % 3.1 2.6 (20) 3.7

unit Performance indicator s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE (%) 2013–14y Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 25 740 27 400 (12) 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. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

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

Region units 2012–13p RSE 2013–14y North Pastoral $ 188 100 (25) 211 000 Eyre Peninsula $ 208 900 (24) 375 000 Murray Lands and Yorke Peninsula $ 201 600 (26) 249 000 South East $ 97 700 (17) 136 000 Note: p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Performance of grains industry farms—South Australia In 2012–13, average total cash receipts for South Australian grains industry farms increased slightly compared with 2011–12. Higher crop prices more than offset reductions in crop production resulting from drier seasonal conditions. On mixed enterprise farms, increased crop receipts were partly offset by a reduction in sheep and beef cattle receipts. Total cash costs also increased in 2012–13 due to higher expenditure on fertiliser, interest payments, crop chemicals, and repairs and maintenance. Average farm cash income for grains industry farms in South Australia increased to $227 000 per farm in 2012–13 (Figure 5).

In 2013–14, winter crop production in South Australia is estimated to have risen by 31 per cent, reflecting an increase area sown to grain crops and higher yields as a result of generally favourable seasonal conditions. Receipts from beef, sheep, lambs and wool are also projected to increase on mixed enterprise farms due mainly to higher sheep and lamb prices.

Total cash costs for grains industry farms are projected to rise slightly in 2013–14, mainly due to an expected increase in expenditure on repairs and maintenance, fuel and sheep purchases compared with 2012–13.

Average farm cash income for grains industry farms in South Australia is projected to increase to around $317 000 per farm in 2013–14, over double the average for the previous 10 years of $146 000 (Figure 5). Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

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

2013–140 $'000

Performance of sheep industry farms—South Australia Farm cash incomes were relatively high in real terms for South Australian sheep industry farms in 2010–11 and 2011–12 (Figure 6). However, in 2012–13, a reduction of almost 30 per cent in average prices received for lambs and adult sheep and a 6 per cent reduction in the average wool price received resulted in farm receipts for South Australian sheep farms falling by 35 per cent. Despite a reduction in average cash costs resulting mainly from reduced expenditure on sheep purchases and interest payments, average farm cash income for sheep industry farms declined to an average of $82 000 per farm.

In 2013–14, higher adult sheep and lamb prices, together with a small increase in wool prices are projected to result in an increase in farm cash receipts. Average farm cash income for sheep industry farms is projected to increase to average $103 000 per farm, around 12 per cent above the industry average of $92 000 per farm for the ten-years to 2012–13.

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

2013–14 0 $'000

Performance of dairy industry farms— South Australia In 2012–13 a reduction in farmgate milk prices (averaging 7 per cent nationally) and a reduction in milk production, together with increased cash costs (averaging 12 per cent nationally) driven mainly by increased expenditure on fodder, resulted in reduced farm cash incomes for dairy farms in all states. Nationally, average farm cash income declined from $143 360 in 2011–12 to just $44 200 in 2012–13. In South Australia, average farm cash income declined from $195 480 in 2011–12 to $88 700 in 2012–13 (Figure 7).

In 2013–14 despite a small reduction in milk production in South Australia higher milk prices for milk producers is projected to result in a rise in average farm cash incomes. Average farm cash income is projected to increase to $189 000 in South Australia, around 34 per cent above the 10 year average to 2012–13 (Table 4). Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

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

50 2013–14 0 $'000

Table 4 Financial performance, South Australia dairy industry, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm unit Performance indicator s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14y Total cash receipts $ 875 690 805 000 (5) 906 000 Total cash costs $ 680 210 716 300 (5) 717 000 Farm cash income $ 195 480 88 700 (31) 189 000 Farms with negative farm cash income % 6 14 (38) 13 Farm business profit $ 89 430 –32 300 (86) 80 000 Profit at full equity - excluding capital appreciation $ 180 120 53 400 (52) 157 000 Farm capital at 1 July a $ 4 245 080 4 539 800 (7) na Farm debt at 30 June b $ 1 049 390 1 103 100 (17) 1 051 000 Equity ratio b % 75 76 (5) na Rate of return - excluding capital appreciation c % 4.2 1.2 (53) 3.4 Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 20 920 19 200 (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. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Performance of vegetable industry farms—South Australia Nationally in 2013–14, average farm cash income is estimated to have declined to $156 000, 4 per cent lower than in 2012–13. Average to above average seasonal conditions helped growers to maintain the high yields of 2012–13. Overall vegetable production was also higher because the average area planted to vegetable crops increased. However, the resulting increase in vegetable cash receipts was partially offset by lower vegetable prices.

Farm cash income in South Australia is estimated to have declined by 30 per cent in 2012–13 to an average of $196 400 (Table 5), 8 per cent lower than the eight-year average (in real terms)

15 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES to 2012–13 (Figure 8). The average area planted to all commonly produced vegetables declined, but yields were higher for most vegetables except onions, carrots and cauliflower. Much lower prices, particularly for potatoes, also contributed to a decline in vegetable cash receipts.

Average farm cash income is estimated to have declined in 2013–14 to $169 000 (Table 5), 19 per cent lower than the nine-year average (in real terms) to 2013–14 (Figure 8). The average area planted and average yield outcomes were both mixed across vegetable types, although the area planted and price received for potatoes increased. Average cash costs are estimated to have remained about the same as the previous year.

Table 5 Physical and financial performance, vegetable growing farm businesses, South Australia, 2012–13 and 2013–14 average per farm Selected estimates units 2012–13 p RSE % Change 2013–14 y RSE % Change from 2011–12 from 2012–13 Vegetable cash receipts $ 642 600 (16 –15 614 000 (23 –4 ) ) Area sown to vegetables ha 32 (19 –2 32.3 (27 1 ) ) Quantity of vegetables produced t 1 330 (16 –4 1 252 (27 –6 ) ) Farm cash income $ 196 400 (23 –30 169 000 (36 –12 ) ) Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for vegetable farm businesses will be available November 2015. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, vegetable growing farm businesses, South Australia, 2005–06 to 2013–14 average per farm 350

$'0000 y 0 1 2 6 7 8 9 p

2013–14 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 3 – – – – – – – 1 1 9 0 1 5 6 7 8 – – 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 2 Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

3) Fisheries sector

The Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia has an extensive seafood industry including wild-catch and aquaculture. The most common commercial wild-catch species include: King George whiting, snapper, abalone, southern rocklobster, giant crab, and sardines found throughout the coast of the region. Blue crabs and western king prawns are caught mostly in Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf. The Spencer Gulf, due to its ideal breeding conditions, is the world’s largest known population of western king prawns. South Australian oyster farming is an emerging industry on the Yorke Peninsula at Port Broughton, Port Vincent, Stansbury and Coobowie Bay.

In 2012–13 the gross value of South Australia’s fisheries production was around $441 million, an increase of 1 per cent ($3.4 million) from 2011-12. South Australia contributed 19 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2012-13. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 45 per cent ($198 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 55 per cent ($243 million).

South Australia’s wild-catch fisheries sector is dominated by four main products — Southern rocklobster, prawns, abalone and Australian sardines — which account for 43 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent and 11 per cent respectively of the total value of wild-caught production in 2012–13. Over the last decade the real value of South Australia’s wild-caught fisheries products has reduced by 23 per cent to $198 million (2012–13). The products for which the real value of production declined most over the past decade are wild-caught abalone, prawns and rocklobster, reducing by $18 million , $12 million and $22 million respectively. A large proportion of abalone is exported, mostly to Hong Kong, China and Japan. Exchange rate movements have a significant effect on the value of abalone exports and, in turn, production. Prawns are mostly sold in the domestic market, where competition from imports has placed significant downward pressure on prices in recent years.

Most Australian sardine production is used as a high quality feed in tuna ranching operations located off Port Lincoln in South Australia. A small portion also goes toward human consumption, the recreational fishing bait market and premium brands of pet food.

In 2012–13 the value of South Australia’s aquaculture production is estimated to have increased by 6 per cent from $229 million in 2011–12 to $243 million in 2012–13. Southern bluefin tuna is the single most valuable species in the region and South Australia's aquaculture industry, and is ranched by the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna fishery for fattening in sea cages at Port Lincoln. Southern bluefin tuna accounted for 63 per cent ($153.5 million) of the value of South Australian aquaculture production, followed by oysters (14 per cent; $35 million) and abalone (4 per cent; $8.6 million).

Commonwealth fisheries active in waters off South Australia include the Commonwealth Trawl Sector (main source of domestic fresh fish for Sydney and Melbourne markets) the Shark Gillnet and Shark Hook Sectors (supplies gummy shark or ‘flake’ to Melbourne) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery and the Great Australian Bight sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery harvesting mainly redfish and flathead. The Small Pelagic Fishery (mostly fishmeal for aquaculture and agriculture) also operates in the waters off South Australia.

In 2012–13, South Australia’s fisheries product exports were valued at $266 million. The main export products include tuna, Southern rocklobster and abalone. Japan and Hong Kong are the major destinations for South Australian fisheries exports, accounting for 57 per cent and 23 per cent of the total value of exports in 2012–13, respectively. Other major export destinations include Vietnam (13 per cent) and China (2 per cent).

Recreational fishing is popular in South Australia with an estimated 236 000 South Australians (5 years and over) participating in the activity in the 12 months prior to October 2007 (PIRSA 2010). In its survey of recreational fishers in South Australia PIRSA (2010) found that most fishing effort is directed to the Gulf St.Vincent and Kangaroo Island waters (42 per cent), followed by Spencer Gulf ( 27 per cent), West Coast (11per cent) and the South East waters (7 per cent). Most (87 per cent) fishing effort occurred in marine waters, including estuaries, and inshore and offshore waters. The remaining 13 per cent of effort was in freshwater activity, with the vast majority of this effort occurring in the River Murray. The key species caught by recreational fishers include King George whiting, snapper, southern garfish, southern calamari, blue swimmer crab, southern rocklobster, mulloway, blacklip and greenlip abalone, pipi, golden perch and murray cod. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Barossa-Yorke-Mid North region of South Australia, 2015 ABARES

4) Forestry sector

In 2010–11, the total plantation area in the Barossa – Yorke – Mid North region was approximately 8700 hectares, comprised of approximately 8000 hectares of softwood plantations and 700 hectares of hardwood plantations. The main softwood species planted is radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and the main hardwood species planted is blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus). Major timber processing industries are located at Nuriootpa and Williamstown.

In 2011, there were approximately 230 900 hectares of native forests in the Barossa – Yorke – Mid North region, comprised mainly of Eucalypt mallee woodland (143 600 hectares), Eucalypt low woodland (26 500 hectares), Eucalypt medium woodland (14 400 hectares), Eucalypt medium open (13 700 hectares), Eucalypt mallee open (13 200 hectares) and Melaleuca (8600 hectares) forest types. Approximately 157 700 hectares of the native forests are privately owned, 34 700 hectares are in nature conservation reserves and 30 000 hectares are leased forests (Figure 9).

Figure 9 Area of native forest, by tenure

Source: ABARES Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2013

Total sales and service income in the South Australian forest and wood product industry was estimated at approximately $1.5 billion in 2012–13. The income is generated from the sale of wood products (such as structural woods and woodchips) valued at approximately $722 million, and $820 million is generated from the sale services associated with paper and paper products. Compared to other states and territories, South Australia exports relatively low volumes of woodchips, but at a higher value. In 2010–11, South Australia exported a small volume of woodchips (less than 100 tonnes) valued at approximately $111 000. In 2011–12, South Australia woodchip exports were valued at approximately $841 000. In 2011, South Australia’s forestry sector employed 6 498 workers (0.9 per cent of the total employed workforce in South Australia) compared with 7 812 (1.2 per cent) in 2006 (number of people employed includes forestry support services and timber wholesaling).

References

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

ABS 2014a, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2012–2013, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014b, Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Nov 2014, cat. no. 6291.0.55.003, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014c, Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2012–13, cat. no. 7503.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics-Bureau of Rural Sciences 2010, Land use of Australia 2005-06, Version 4, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

ABARES 2014, Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014. Department of Agriculture. http://data.daff.gov.au/anrdl/metadata_files/pb_luausg9abll20140506_11a.xml

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences 2014, Australian forest and wood products statistics: March and June quarters 2014, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.

Montreal Process Implementation Group for Australia and National Forest Inventory Steering Committee 2013, Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2013, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.

PIRSA 2010, South Australian recreational fishing guide 2009, Department of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, Adelaide, available at pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/recreational_fishing_guide, accessed 8 February 2010.