Changes to the ABS 2020-21 Agricultural Census

The suggested changes to the Agricultural Census, recommended by the Australian Bureau of Statistics will results in no reporting for the split between the number of pure Merino lambs marked versus all other breeds, the number of ewes mated to produce lambs marked to Merino rams versus all other rams and the split between the number of pure Merino breeding ewes versus all other breeds. From a wool perspective, it is vital to the industry to determine the breeds that are being produced. Knowing the split between breeds helps producers and industry bodies to determine the growth of the industry in each sector. From a livestock perspective, it is extremely important to have information on differing classes of livestock and the differing breeds within a stock class. The changes that are proposed will not provide sufficient differentiation between differing sheep breeds within the broad category of lamb.