National Agriculture Day

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (15:20): I rise today to note that next Wednesday 21 November is National Agriculture Day. This will be the second year Australia officially marks the day that celebrates the contribution of our farmers and agricultural industries to our society, economy and way of life. Agriculture is the most essential foundation of human civilisation. In other words, we would not have civilisation without it. Let's never lose sight of this fact or the importance of farmers and the industry to our state and nation, as depicted here in the pattern of the House of Assembly carpet with the wheat and grape motifs.

Let's also acknowledge that 2018 has been a tough time for many primary producers with the drought and other poor conditions that many are facing. Farmers are great at planning and coordinating as they work through these tough times, but they need some support, and it is great to see the support of both federal and state governments assisting those farmers. Moving to some statistics about farming in Australia, there are about 135,000 farms, including 85,000 with an estimated value of agricultural operations greater than $40,000 per year. There are a lot of people who earn a living from farming.

Australian farmers manage about half the nation's land mass. National on-farm production is valued at more than $60 billion per year and it is a very fast-growing industry at that, with an increase of 2.8 per cent each year. Agricultural exports are valued at more than $51 billion, making it Australia's second largest export industry. In South Australia, there are almost 9,500 farms with an estimated value of more than $40,000 per year. A total area of more than 47.5 million hectares is under farming. We have 32,300 people in jobs directly supported by agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The agriculture, food and wine industries generate $22.5 billion in South Australia in revenue and more than half of our state's merchandise exports.

The tough seasons that we have had in South Australia have seen below average or very below average rainfall in many parts of South Australia, especially in pastoral areas and other areas, including eastern Eyre Peninsula and parts of the Mid North and the southern Mallee. It has also been a relatively dry year in the seat of Finniss on the Fleurieu Peninsula, which is seeing downturns in cropping forecasts right across South Australia. Another big hit to areas that are not directly in drought is the increase in hay prices. Hay prices have tripled in the last 12 months, resulting in significant costs to dairy farmers in particular and others who buy a lot of fodder to manage their businesses.

It is great to see the South Australian and Australian governments commit to drought programs, including support for South Australian councils. There is also extra support in the farm business support schemes to help farmers access support. A fodder register has been set up to allow farmers to identify where fodder may be available for them. So there are many things out there helping our farmers in this tough year.

One thing we need to call out, particularly with the Queensland and New South Wales governments, is the fodder subsidies that they are offering in those states, which are distorting the market here in South Australia. We have heard anecdotal claims that it is cheaper to deliver hay to Longreach than it is to Fleurieu Peninsula, which is just unreasonable and unfair. Agriculture Day is such an important time of the year to celebrate these wonderful farmers, and I thank them for what they do for our country.