Diversity and Importance
The Swan Hill region has one of the most productive and diverse agriculture sectors in Australia. A major attribute of the region is the ability to grow a variety of agricultural products - both dryland and irrigation. The diversity of agricultural production is assisted by skilled farmers, a favourable climate, good soil types, plentiful supply of large tracts of cheap land and a very secure supply of irrigation water (regarded as one of the most secure in Australia.)
Given its comparative advantages agriculture is the largest industry in the region – producing more than 40% of its income and employing about one quarter of the workforce. Total value of production is around $435 million per annum. With increasing investments in agriculture in the region, especially irrigated horticulture, it is expected that the value of production will increase dramatically.
Agriculture in the region has a high reliance on the Murray River - either as a source for irrigated horticulture and pastures or as a source for stock and domestic water through the Northern Mallee Pipeline scheme.
Products grown include stonefruit, vegetables, nuts, olives, citrus and grapes (wine, table and dried), grain (wheat, barley, vetch, legumes, oilseeds, rice), beef, sheep, wool, dairy and pasture hay. Irrigation agriculture, principally horticulture, is fast outperforming dryland agriculture and its relative importance in total agricultural value is increasing.
The Swan Hill region currently boasts the biggest almond farms in the Southern Hemisphere, the largest Australian concentration of fresh stonefruit, olives, pistachios and tablegrapes and after Sunraysia the second largest winegrape production region in Victoria. Cereals are still vital, with large quantities of wheat, canola, legumes and barley harvested annually.
There are over 560 horticultural enterprises growing a wide range of produce. Producers range from those on smaller holdings growing traditional crops such as grapes and stonefruit to those growing vegetables under large-scale broadacre conditions. Corporate producers also operate in the region and there is a recent tendency for investment in horticulture to come via development investment companies.
Local horticultural growers are renowned for their ability to produce high quality product for the fresh and processed markets. The district growers are well regarded for their ability to supply fresh markets at both ends of the season - Australia-wide and internationally. Some products such as carrots and potatoes can be grown year round.
There are about 1,200 grain farms in the region and they are on average the largest in Victoria. These grain farms are renowned for their consistent yields of quality grains and even in drier periods the volume of grain available is quite considerable.
Dairy farms in the region are the northern most located farms in Victoria and are able to effectively compete with other larger dairying regions who are closer to processors and markets. The climate, large size of herds and access to grain supplies ensures the competitiveness of the Swan Hill region dairy industry.
For more information about agriculture in the Swan Hill Region contact:
Economic Development Unit
Swan Hill Region Information Centre
Cnr McCrae & Curlewis Streets
Swan Hill VIC 3585
Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5pm
Telephone: +61 3 5032 3033
Facsimile: +61 3 5032 3032
Freecall (in Australia): 1800 625 373
Email: ecodev@swanhill.vic.gov.au
