Agriculture contributes significantly to the economy of Australia, generating about $39 billion in gross domestic product every year. Farming activities use up 60% of the land in the country, and they provide employment for 370,000 people.
In the past, the farms in Australia were owned and run by families, but advancement in farming technology and global economic factors have led to the establishment of larger farms, which are owned by big agricultural companies. As a result, many modern-day farmers find it difficult to make ends meet, and some of them have to find jobs outside their farms to supplement their incomes.
The agricultural areas of Australia are divided into 3 zones, which are the high rainfall zone, the wheat sheep zone, and the sheep-grazing and pastoral zone. The farming areas that are located in the high rainfall zone are usually coastal areas, and they are used for the production of dairy, beef, prime lamb, and wool. The wheat sheep zone is generally used for the farming of winter crops, and the sheep-grazing and pastoral zone, which has minimal rainfall, is most suitable for the grazing of sheep and cattle. Most of the farmlands of Australia are used for grazing of sheep and cattle. New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia are the places where there is an abundance of sheep, while beef cattle are mostly found in Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory.
The greatest threats to farmers in Australia are droughts and low-fertility soil. A large part of Australia experiences prolonged periods of droughts, which may last for several years. As such, irrigation is a very important part of Australian farming, and massive irrigation systems have been established to provide water in inland areas to make farming viable. The Snowy Scheme is an example of these irrigation systems. Other than getting water supply from irrigation, farmers also bore underground and store water in dams. Most parts of Australia do not have fertile soil, and farmers have to use superphosphate and nitrogen to make soil conditions more suitable for the growing of crops. Other problems that Australian farmers have to deal with are salinity and soil erosion.
The advancement of technology has benefited farmers in many ways. In the beginning of the 20th century, the invention of farming devices, such as the combine harvester, the stump jump plough, and the scrub roller, made it possible for farmers to grow crops despite the unfavorable environmental conditions. Improvements in irrigation technology as well as genetics, fertilization, and disease control also helped Australian agriculture flourish in the later years. Presently, most of the farms in Australia are operated with the help of computers and Internet access.
Since farming is such a significant part of the culture of Australia, tourists in the country can join certain tourism farming activities to learn more about the livelihood of the locals. There are farmstay accommodations throughout the country where you can take a car rental and get a taste of local home-cooked food and a firsthand experience of the life of a farmer. You can enjoy interesting activities such as horseback riding, wildlife spotlighting adventures, and outdoor camping, and of course, you can join the farmers as they carry out their daily farming activities. A visit to a farm will give you an experience of Australia that is most unique and memorable.
Links:
General Information about Agriculture in Australia
Australian Government Agriculture Portal
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry
History of Agriculture in Australia
National Farmers' Federation of Australia
Biological Farmers of Australia
Sydney Royal Easter Show (Agricultural Show)
The Royal Melbourne Agricultural Show
Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame
About Australian Farm Tourism
Australian Farm Tourism
Pictures of Australian Farm Life
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