Agriculture: Improved crop export performance forecast for 2004-05

• Assuming average seasonal conditions will prevail in 2004-05,farm production is forecast to increase by 1 per cent in 2004-05, following an estimated 17 per cent rise in 2003-04. • While total crop production is forecast to increase by 2 per cent in 2004-05, the rebuilding of herd and flocks from the 2002-03 drought is expected to lead to a decline in the number of cattle and adult sheep slaughtered. • Lower prices on international markets and continued herd and flock rebuilding are forecast to contribute to a fall of 16 per cent in the net value of farm production to $5.0 billion in 2004-05. © Commonwealth of Australia 2004.