Red meat production in Australia

Around three quarters of Australia’s land mass is only suitable for grazing. Less than 7% of our land mass is suitable for intensive farming such as cropping. These areas are closer to the coastal fringes where agriculture competes with urban, commercial and industrial land use demands.

The major cattle growing areas in Australia are in rangelands (areas where domestic stock are grazed on native pasture) and semi-arid areas (pastoral zones). Similarly, the major sheep producing areas are in rangelands and semi-arid areas located in the southern sub-tropical and temperate zones.

In those areas suitable for ‘mixed farming’ (i.e. grazing and cropping), livestock and grain production are considered complementary, for example after harvesting grains, livestock graze on crop stubble and legume-based pastures grown in rotation with grain crops to replenish soil nutrients. Integrating paddock use in this way maximises productivity and enhances soil health. 


Source: Australian Natural Resource Atlas 

Also read more on:

 

• Red meat production and water use
• Red meat production and greenhouse gas
• Red meat production and biodiversity 
• Frequently asked questions
• Visiting a farm