ABARES annual farm survey returns

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is about to embark on its annual farm survey program collecting data from hard-working producers across Australia.

The information collected each year is integral in supporting decision-making about the future of Australian agriculture.

ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said two surveys would be conducted – the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, and the Australian Dairy Industry Survey.

“The farm surveys are a core part of the evidence base that industries and governments across Australia use to provide a health check on the sector, develop policy and respond to challenges, such as drought and trade disruptions,” Dr Greenville said.

The interviews would cover questions about farm structure, land use and the production and economic profile of the farm business for the 2023-24 financial year. Selected estimates for 2024-25 would also be collected.

“The success of the survey, and hence its value to industry and government, depends on the cooperation of participants selected to represent their industry,” Dr Greenville said.

ABARES officers would conduct face-to-face interviews with about 1900 selected farmers throughout Australia from mid-July to December.

For more information about the ABARES annual farm survey, contact ABARES Survey Collection by email at surveysabares@daff.gov.au or by telephone at 1800 026 308.

Fast facts

• The Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey has been conducted continually since 1977-78 – this survey covering broadacre farms provides our longest time series with at present 46 years of data. The current sample is about 1600 farms.
• The Australian Dairy Industry Survey began the following year (1978-79) and provides a time series of 45 years of data. The current sample is about 300 farms.