Agriculture

Agriculture is the dominant industry in the Wheatbelt Region. While wheat and wool production are the main agricultural activities, other cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruit and vegetable crops and livestock also contribute to agricultural production. Producers are also increasingly diversifying into non-traditional industries including turkeys, marron, yabbies, emus and ostriches, snails, worms, deer and alpacas.

Facts and Figures

• There are 4,811 agricultural holdings in the Wheatbelt covering 11.4m hectares.
• Main crops are wheat and barley, with increasing quantities of canola, chickpeas, faba bean, field peas, lentils and other crops being produced.
• As a producer of livestock and animal products, the Wheatbelt contributes 45.8% of the state total production of mutton and lamb, and 47% of the states total wool production, making the Wheatbelt the largest producer of these commodities.
• The Wheatbelt is the largest producer of wheat, legumes, wool, oranges, cut flowers and apiary products.
• The Wheatbelt is one of the most efficient dryland agricultural regions in the world, employing 'world best' production practices and innovative technologies.

Wheatbelt Advantages

• Proximity to major ports in Albany, Esperance, Geraldton and Kwinana.
• The Wheatbelt’s road and rail network enables seamless transport of agricultural produce from farmgate to port.
• Low storage, handling and freight costs for agricultural produce.
• Freedom from serious animal diseases.

Opportunities

• Expanding markets in India, the Middle East and Asia are providing opportunities for production of alternative crop varieties particularly pulses, including chickpeas, field peas and lentils
• The growth of niche markets in non-traditional agricultural industries represent major opportunities for producers seeking to diversify
• The spread of biodiesel technologies around the world represents an opportunity for the development of a non-human use oilseed industry in the Wheatbelt
• Potential for expansion of the goat meat and live goat market
• There are extensive opportunities for grains processing in the Region