A resource and output study of a group of dairy farms in the Moreton district, south-eastern Queensland

Abstract

A reconnaissance survey of 51 milk supply farms was made to obtain information on available resources, production and management methods, and output.
One-third of the farms bad no irrigation opportunity and had less than 100 ac of arable land; and an additional 17 per cent. had less than 10 ac of irrigable land and less than 50 ac of arable land. The productive opportunity of 30 per cent. of farms was severely restricted because of poor land or inadequate area,
Average labour use was 2.04 adult male equivalents, with 74 per cent. of farms less than 2.5.
The mean value of productive resources was £11,861, comprising land £6,631, livestock £2,469, plant and machinery £1,202 and farm facilities £1,559.
A tractor was owned by 70 per cent. of the farmers, while 64 per cent. bad a mower and 80 per cent. a chaffcutter. Only 4 per cent. bad a bay-baler.
The mean number of cows milked annually on a farm was 49, but there was a wide range in this value. Pig-raising was not an important enterprise.
Production methods were varied and were most variable in relation to feeding.
The mean value of dairy products output was £2,359, representing 86 per cent. of mean total output.