It gives me great pleasure to be with you this morning for the launch of the 2006 Agricultural Census.
The Agricultural Census is a very important five-yearly event, focusing on Australia’s vital agricultural sector.
Information from this Census gives our planners and policymakers an understanding of the progress and future prospects of all agricultural industries and their products, and of our farm practices.
It will also help farmers, policymakers and others involved with the industry determine strategies to ensure sustainable farming. The Agricultural Census is a once-in-five-year opportunity for agricultural producers to contribute to information about their sector.
I note that this Census falls in the centenary anniversary of the death of wheat breeder William Farrer, who is best remembered for developing the Federation strain of wheat. Farrer, working on his farm at Lambrigg, not many kilometres from this very spot, made a significant contribution to the growth of wheat farming and firmly established what is now a 5.6 billion dollar industry.
I am delighted to observe that our keynote speaker today, the Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, as the Member for the electorate of Farrer in the Australian Parliament, continues this connection.
Details of agricultural production in Australia have been collected for more than a century and a half. The early colonies reported annually to England. Later the individual States continued the collection of the data, and these figures can be viewed to as far back as 1850.
The ABS archives feature some of the old leather-bound volumes inscribed by hand using pens dipped in inkwells, giving us a very moving sense of the history and the development of our vast continent.
In some States, in the early years, the local police would come knocking on farmhouse doors gathering the required information, and it goes without saying that response rates were excellent.
The State collections became more integrated over time, and now the Agricultural Census is a true national collection, with concepts and definitions that are consistent across all States and Territories.
While some core data have remained the same over the years, a small number of questions are added and removed from the Census form as the requirements of the ABS and its clients change over time. For example, recent Agricultural Censuses have seen an increase in the number of questions relating to environmental issues and management practices.
The frequency of the Agricultural Census collection has also changed over time. Up until 1997, the Census was conducted every year. However, in 2001 a decision was made to hold the Agricultural Census every five years. This was driven mainly by concerns to reduce the reporting load on respondents.
For the 2006 Census, the ABS has used the Australian Business Register to determine the participating businesses. This will improve the coverage of a number of commodities particularly in the horticulture and beef cattle industries.
Rest assured that help is at hand to complete the form or to discuss any aspect of it. A helpline telephone number is given on each form, and there will be plenty of helpful information on the ABS web site (www.abs.gov.au).
The ABS is keen to ensure that those farmers impacted by the natural disasters are given extra assistance in responding to the Agricultural Census. The significant impact of cyclones on regional communities can never be underestimated. Senior ABS representatives have visited North Queensland following the devastation inflicted by Cyclones Larry and Monica. Their contact with the affected communities allowed them to obtain first hand knowledge of the impact of the cyclones on farmers.
In total, around 190,000 forms are being mailed to producers so they can receive their forms prior to 30 June. Producers are asked to return the completed forms to the ABS by mid July.
Initial results of the Agricultural Census are expected to be released early next year. Like a wide range of other ABS statistics, including extensive agricultural data, they will be available for free on the ABS’ web site.
It now gives me great pleasure to officially launch the 2006 Agricultural Census.