Facts & FiguresFactsFigures

Based upon published livestock data and calculations of feed consumption, the SFMCA estimates that Australia utilises 11.5 to 12 million tonnes of stock feed annually. This volume excludes pasture grazing, hay and silage and does not account for spikes in feed usage in times of drought feeding. Total feed use is greatly influenced by seasonal conditions affecting pasture growth, costs of grain and the economics of producing meat, milk and eggs.

Livestock feed is supplied from commercial feed mills operated by specialist stock feed manufacturers, by integrated poultry and pig livestock producers, and by beef feedlots. A proportion is also supplied from on-farm production either in a home-mix mill or simple mixing operations.

The breakdown of feed use by livestock sector is presented in the chart below.

To gain a perspective on the size of the Australian livestock feeding industry, Australia’s stock feed use at 12 million tonnes can be compared against the 680 million tonnes manufactured globally. (Source - IFIF). The USA, EU and China manufacture 170, 150 and 137 million tonnes respectively.

Feed Volumes

A survey of SFMCA members completed in August 2011 identified the following volumes of feed manufactured by SFMA members over the previous 12 month period. Data for Victoria includes volumes from members located in Tasmania.

	Feed Volume (tonnes)
QLD	762,000
NSW	1,496,000
VIC	2,034,000
SA	504,000
WA	432,000
Total	5,228,000

The survey of our members has provided a 3.5% increase in feed volume to 5,047,000 tonnes manufactured in 2010/11.

Qld feed volumes reduced with more favourable pasture grazing conditions and reduced demand for supplementary feeding.

NSW, Vic and SA had increased feed volumes due to increasing demand from the poulty and dairy sectors.

Feed manufactured in WA was consistent with the previous year.

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