Data has been revealed ahead of National Ag Day today (18 November) that shows agriculture in NSW is breaking more productivity records than ever, despite devastating weather events. If it seems too good to be true, however, it might be. 

Minister for Agriculture Dulgald Saunders released the annual Performance Data and Insights report this week, showing that a string of natural disasters hasn’t taken the toll you would expect when it comes to production levels. 

It’s surprising news given the headlines this year, not least flooding, varroa mite and an impending risk of foot and mouth disease. 

“Farmers have also battled disease and pest incursions, continued biosecurity threats, increasing farm input costs like fuel and fertiliser and geopolitical events causing supply chain pressures,” Mr Saunders said. 

While the numbers certainly show the significant results of overcoming those challenges, the 2021-22 report doesn’t take into account cropping lost to the third consecutive La Nina event, which has flooded paddocks across the Western Plains. 

Instead, those numbers will be filed into next year’s report, which will show the true impact of the floods that continue to devastate NSW on the agriculture industry. 

Still, Mr Saunders delivered plenty of numbers from the year that’s been that should please farmers around the plains. 

“Our cropping sector reaped the benefits of strong seasonal conditions to record a 43 per cent increase on last year to reach $11.9 billion,” Mr Saunders said.  

“Livestock industries also achieved a record value of $7.9 billion due to a recovery in sheep meat and wool production and higher lamb, beef and wool prices. This demand supported higher farm gate prices and drove a 13 per cent increase on the previous year,” he said.

Exports also reached a new record high of $10.9 billion, with an increase of 64 per cent.

Coonamble Associated Agents have continued to host fortnightly yardings of around 1000 head in recent months despite access issues created by regional flooding. PHOTO: Coonamble Times

It means there’s still plenty to celebrate this National Ag day, where the theme is ‘Innovation in Agriculture’.

Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said that the day is an opportunity to recognise the world-class food and fibre grown on our doorstep.

“Farmers are the backbone of bush communities and the State’s economy, and have shouldered the burden to keep supermarket shelves stocked despite unprecedented challenges in the past year,” he said. 

“We’re well on our way to agriculture becoming a $30 billion industry by 2030, and that is testament to our farmers’ hard work, day in, day out.”