Australia Yearbook - 2001

Chapter 15—Agriculture 639
expanding although it remains uncommon in
Australia. The use of supplementary feed, such as
grains, has become more common throughout
the industry in recent years.
While seasonal conditions continue to have some
influence on yearly output, Australian milk
production has risen steadily over recent years
and in 1998–99 was 10.2 billion litres
(table 15.39), an increase of 8% over the previous
year.
Domestic dairy market
Average annual per capita milk consumption by
Australians has stabilised at around 100 litres
since the mid-1980s. However, there have been
substantial changes in the types of fresh milk
consumed, with fat-reduced and modified milks
taking an increasing share of overall market milk
sales.
In 1998–99, Australians consumed 10.7 kg of
cheese per person, the same as in 1997–98.
Per capita milk consumption showed a slight
decrease, down from 103.0 litres in 1997–98, to
102.4 litres in 1998–99 (see table 15.52).
Sheep
Sheep numbers reached a peak of 180 million in
Australia in 1970. In general, numbers have fallen
since this time. Poor market prospects for wool
since 1990 have had a marked impact on the flock
size. It fell rapidly until 1995, New South Wales
showing the largest fall in that year (table 15.40),
after which the decrease has been slower (tables
15.40 and 15.41).
Map 15.42 shows the distribution of sheep and
lambs in Australia at 31 March 1997.
15.39 WHOLE MILK, Production, Use and Gross Value
Market milk sales
by factories
Milk used in the
manufacture of
dairy products
Whole milk intake by factories
Total intake
Gross value
Year
mill. litres
mill. litres
mill. litres
$m
1993–94 1 845 6 232 8 077 2 448
1994–95 1 893 6 313 8 206 2 419
1995–96 1 905 6 810 8 715 2 848
1996–97 1 920 7 116 9 036 2 809
1997–98 1 918 7 521 9 439 2 817
1998–99 1 930 8 248 10 178 2 897
Source: Australian Dairy Corporation; Value of Principal Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, Preliminary, 1998–99
(7501.0); Agriculture, Australia, 1998–99 (7113.0).
NSW
15.40 SHEEP AND LAMBS, By State
Vic.
Qld
31 March
mill. mill. mill. mill. mill. mill.
mill.
1994 46.5 23.4 11.5 14.7 32.0 4.3 132.6
1995 40.5 21.4 11.6 13.2 30.2 3.9 120.9
1996 41.1 22.0 10.7 13.6 29.8 3.9 121.1
1997 42.4 22.3 10.5 13.1 27.8 4.0 120.2
1998 40.8 21.1 11.0 13.1 27.5 3.9 117.5
1999 40.6 21.0 10.6 13.1 26.4 3.8 115.5
Source: AgStats (7117.0); Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 1998–99 (7121.0).
SA
WA
Tas.
Aust.(a)