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The Mildura Regions cropping area consists of
around 1.25 million hectares in the
Northern/Central Mallee in Victoria (Mildura
Local Government Area) and 200,000 hectares
in the Dareton district situated in the southern
western corner of NSW (Wentworth LGA). On
average 50-60% of this growing area is cropped
annually. However, intensity of cropping varies
across the zone. An additional 5.6 million
hectares surrounding the crop growing area is
Crown land and National Park land, with
around 4.7 million hectares of that area
situated in the NSW area. |
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Crop proportions vary within the Mildura Region,
however on average 60% is made up of Wheat,
30% Barley, 8% Canola/Legumes (peas/lupins)
and a further 2% of Triticale. The following table
provides an overview of average yield production
and farm gate value for Grain produced in the
Mildura Region during 03/04. |
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Grain Production Table
1.45 million hectares
Approx. 55% cropped annually (approx. 797,500Ha) |
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Annual cropping
(935,000 Ha)
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Annual
hectares
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Mildura Region average yield
Tonnes / Ha (03/04)
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Total Average
annual Tonnes
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Mildura Region
average value
$/Tonne (03/04)
($A)
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Total Average
farm gate
value
($A)
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Total Australian average
yield Tonne / Ha (03/04)
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60% Wheat |
478,500Ha |
1.6t |
765,600t |
$200 |
$153.1m |
2.01t |
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30% Barley |
239,250Ha |
1.8t |
430,650t |
$190 |
$81.8m |
2.27t |
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10% Canola / Legumes
Triticale |
79,750Ha |
0.7t |
55,825t |
$290 |
$16.2m |
Canola 1.6lt, Triticale 1.89t
Lupins 1.49t, Field Peas 1.35t |
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*Data provided is an industry estimate only, provided by the Department of Primary Industries New South Wales and Victoria and Sunraysia Environmental. Total Australian Yield data sourced from Australian Crop Report study November 2004 based on ABARE estimates and ABS statistics. |
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The majority of the Mildura Region’s grain
producing area now has access to a reticulated
water supply pipe from the Murray River,
providing high quality water to many growers
across the district.
There has been a dramatic change in the last 3-4
years from cultivating fallow to minimum till and
direct drill techniques; designed and
implemented to minimise wind erosion risk. The
soils of the area are generally sandy to sandyloam
and contain high alkaline levels (pH 7.5 -9);
highly productive soils given the low rainfall. |
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In the period of normal crop growth, April through
October (inclusive the Dareton grain growing
district) has an average rainfall of 181mm. In the
Northern Central Mallee district the average
rainfall during growing season is from 225mm in
the south and 165mm in the north.
Salinity issues affecting the grain growing industry
in the Mildura Region in recent times is reversing
positively thanks to educated management
techniques in the dry land faming industries and
salinity recharge; excess rain water finding its way
to the water table has been minimised. |
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Grain Silos in the mildura region
Scattered across the vast Mildura Region are
many silos, weigh bridges and sample stands.
The silos are situated in key locations providing
vital drop off/pick up points for transportation
and storage. Silos in the Mildura Region are
mainly operated by Graincorp, the Australian
Wheat Board (AWB), and AUSBulk (Australian
Barley Board). For further information regarding
grain storage locations please refer to the
industry contact details below. |
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