Australia's Climate and Geography

Climate

Australia has a diverse climate, with varied rainfall patterns and soil types that allow for the production of a wide range of agricultural commodities. Australia has a total of 6.4% arable landmass, with 49 million hectares capable of crop production. Australia has the sixth largest arable land area of any country in the world and is in the top six countries containing 50% of the world’s arable land.

The Australian agricultural sector is well adept at coping with the challenges of varied climatic conditions. Australian farming methods and technology has evolved to produce higher yields at lower costs over a range of agricultural regions and sectors.

Geography
Australia is ideally situated to supply counter-seasonal produce to Asia, Europe and America during the winter months. Australia’s logistical and transport infrastructure mean that goods can be transported both nationally and internationally all year round.

Located in the Southern Hemisphere, in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia is ideally situated to supply counter-seasonal produce to Asia, Europe and America during the winter months. Australia’s logistical and transport infrastructure mean that goods can be transported both nationally and internationally all year round.

Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. Each state varies in production, commodity marketing and export facilities.

Australia can be divided in 3 agricultural zones:

- High Rainfall Zone: NSW, SA, VIC, QLD, TAS

- Wheat Belt: WA

- Pastoral Zone: NT, WA, QLD


Production in the Eastern states targets domestic consumption as 90% of the Australian population resides on the East Coast. In comparison Western Australia is centred heavily on export orientated production as it has a relatively small population when compared to the rest of Australia. A summary of production in key agricultural states is outlined below:

Western Australia

Crop production is primarily focused in the South Western part of the state, which has a Mediterranean climate (wet winter / dry summer)
Cropping

  • WA exports 75% of Australia’s wheat and is the largest producer of wheat, barley, oats, canola, and lupins

  • WA’s Wheatbelt is one of the most efficient dryland agricultural regions in the world, employing world class production practices and innovative technologies

  • Crops approximately 7.2 million hectares per annum

 Livestock

  • Livestock production is centred in the South West of the state and throughout the state’s semi-arid regions.

  • WA is the world’s largest exporter of live
    sheep and goats, a major exporter of cattle and a major producer of wool

 
New South Wales

Temperate climate with crop production focused in the Eastern half of the state

Cropping

  • Well established irrigated agricultural sector, world leader in improving irrigation efficiencies

  • Crops 6.7 million hectares per annum

  • Australia’s largest producer and exporter of chickpeas and pulses and the nation’s largest producer of rice and cotton
     

Livestock

  • The nation’s largest producer and exporter
    of mutton, lamb, pork and wool

Victoria

Semi-temperate climate with crop production totalling 3.5 million hectares per annum

Cropping

  • Major producer of wheat, barley, pulses and canola

Livestock

  • Focused on sheep and dairy farming

  • Australia’s largest dairy produce and
    export state, also a significant producer
    of lamb and beef

Queensland

Climate: subtropical and tropical

Cropping

  • Crop Production: 2.2 million hectares per annum, majority in the Southern and Eastern parts of the state

  • Largest producer of sorghum and sugar

  • Significant producer of nut crops

  • Potential to be a major producer of pulses and cereals

 Livestock

  • Australia’s largest producer and exporter
    of beef and the world’s largest exporter of
    live cattle

Text