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Rain fails to lift sheep farmers out of crisis
12 Nov 2003
Wool and mutton production has slumped to its lowest level in 20 years, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Livestock farmers battled to make a living in the past three months, despite widespread rains.
Fewer sheep were slaughtered in the September 2003 quarter than in any quarter since 1984, and wool production was down more than 20 per cent on the same time in 2002.
Decreases were recorded in the quarter for all categories of red meat. Beef production fell to its lowest level in five years, while chicken meat and pig farmers suffered an ease in market sales.
Milk production levels also continued to decline, with whole milk intake by factories falling 2 per cent in the quarter to 2.5 billion litres, the lowest in almost five years. More than 25 per cent less butter was produced than the same quarter in 2002, and cheese production fell almost 11 per cent.
Live cattle exports declined 23 per cent at the same time as a 10 per cent decrease in value, but live sheep exports increased by 13 per cent as demand from the Middle East was still strong before the Cormo Express saga.
The Courier-Mail, 12/11/03, page 11.
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