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Livestock Farm Monitor Project

Introduction

The Livestock Farm Monitor Project analyses the financial performance of participating livestock farms across Gippsland, South West and Northern Victoria, delivered jointly by the department and Rural Finance.

The project has a 40 year history in Victoria, providing decades of livestock farm performance information and comparative data for the livestock industry, Government, and researchers to make improved planning and management decisions.

The project aims to:

monitor trends in farm production and profitability
provide benchmarks for livestock businesses in the project areas
evaluate the differences between top performers and other farms
provide feedback to farm participants
provide a historical dataset of farm comparative analysis information.

The project's report details the financial and production performance of participating livestock farms and recognises geographic and industry trends. The data is independent and rigorous and does not identify participating farms.

The report gives livestock farmers the opportunity to make objective comparisons against similar farms in their own region. These comparisons can identify areas where farmers can potentially make improvements that can lead to increased efficiencies.

Report 2015-16

Victorian livestock farm profitability increased from 2014-15 to 2015-16 according to the latest Livestock Farm Monitor report. Average return on assets increased from 2.1 per cent in 2014-15 to 2.4 per cent in 2015-16. Additionally, gross farm income increased from $633/ha to $683/ha, return on equity increased from 1.5 per cent to 1.7 per cent and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increased from $133/ha to $157/ha.

The increased profitability was mainly driven by greatly improved cattle prices. Wool prices also rose across the board, while lamb prices were variable from region to region, but remained similar to last year. Stocking rates were slightly lower than last year and while variable, wool, lamb and beef production per hectare all decreased from the previous year. Variable costs, in particular supplementary feed and agistment costs, increased this year as a result of a second dry year, while overhead costs also increased. Long term average rainfall over all participants is 685mm, while an average of only 560mm was received in 2015-16.

Livestock Farm Monitor Project Report 2015/16 [PDF File - 1.7 MB]

Report 2014-15

Victorian livestock farm profitability increased from 2013/14 to 2014/15 according to the latest Livestock Farm Monitor report. Average return on assets increased from 1.8% in 2013/14 to 2.1% in 2014/15. Additionally, gross farm income increased from $569/ha to $633/ha, return on equity increased from 0.6% to 1.5% and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increased from $42/ha to $133/ha.

The increased profitability was mainly a result of increased commodity prices, in particular beef. Stocking rates were slightly higher and there was an increase in beef, lamb and wool production per hectare. While beef prices rose dramatically in the second part of the financial year, financial performance did not increase as much. This was due to timing of sales generally occurring before the prices rose, but also below average seasonal conditions. Long term average rainfall over all participants is 685mm, while an average of only 532mm was received in 2014/15. Subsequently, producers spent more on supplementary feed and agistment than in the previous year.

Overall, profitability improved across all regions.

Livestock Farm Monitor Project Report 2014/15 [PDF File - 2.5 MB] or [MS Word Document - 2.9 MB]

Report 2013-14

Overall Victorian livestock farm profitability increased from 2012/13 to 2013/14 according to the latest Livestock Farm Monitor report. Average return on assets doubled from 1% in 2012/13 to 2% in 2013/14. Additionally, gross farm income increased from $484/ha to $569/ha, return on equity increased from -1% to 1% and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increased from $9/ha to $42/ha.

The increased profitability was mainly a result of improved seasonal conditions. This allowed an increase in stocking rates and more beef, lamb and wool production per hectare, as well as reduced expenditure on supplementary feeding and agistment. Increased lamb and beef prices also contributed to improved performance, although wool prices remained soft.

The improvement in profitability was seen across all regions.

View or download the full 2013-14 report. [PDF File - 1.8 MB]

Previous years

Hard copies of recent reports 2012-13 , 2011-12, 2010-11 and 2009-10 (Livestock) and past reports 2008-09 (Sheep), 2008-09 (SW Vic), 2007-08 (Sheep), 2007-08 (SW Vic), 2006-07 (Wool), 2006-07 (SW Vic) can be obtained by contacting our customer service centre on 136 186.