Intensive animal production is an important sector with existing investment in poultry, dairy and pig enterprises. Feed-lotting and feed shedding of dairy cows is expanding. Exotic meats such as quail, emu and rabbit have potential to expand supported by Pro Poultry’s capacity to process boutique orders.

Identified potential for the poultry, dairy and pig industries indicate need for investment in all sectors to meet the needs of increasing population and expanding export markets. Access to secure water supply, three phase power, gas and sealed roads are critical to development and location of each industry.

Each council region has expressed interest in expansion of these industries. Current pressure on water availability in Coorong Council District has reduced dairy holdings around Meningie and expansion of operations at Tintinara.

Potential access to water in the Prescribed Wells Area may support intensive animal production investment to diversify existing farms and provide alternative employment opportunities in Southern Mallee and Karoonda East Murray. Water re-use may increase investment prospects around the Rural City of Murray Bridge and Mid Murray Council Districts for intensive animal production.

“South Australia’s Strategic Plan, The State Export Plan and The State Food Plan all set ambitious targets for SA to ensure ongoing wealth and prosperity… Industry initiatives defined in Strategic Directions Papers facilitated by PIRSA Livestock Industries describe the goals and strategies to ensure ongoing competitiveness… The scene is set for major expansion”: 2005

Chicken Meat: expansion from processing 40m birds annually in 2005 to more than 90m birds annually in 2015 will require up to 50 new grow-out facilities and over $300m in capital expansion.

Pork: expansion of industry volume by 50% to reach 27,000 market pigs per week will require an additional 23,000 sows in production with a capital investment of greater then $100m.

Dairy: expansion to reach 10% of Australia’s milk production by 2013 will require annual milk production to grow from 0.7 billion litres to 1.2 billion litres.

OPPORTUNITIES

Chicken Meat: PIRSA GIS mapping has identified potential locations around Murray Bridge and Brinkley. Inghams seek expansion on eastern side of Mount Lofty Ranges preferably within a 30km radius of Murray Bridge. Access to 3 phase power, water, gas and sealed roads is essential.

Pork: PIRSA GIS mapping has identified 6,000(ha) of high potential and 219,000(ha) of medium potential for pork production in the Karoonda East Murray Council District. In the Mid Murray Council Area the Bower Precinct has been identified as suitable for pork production. The Pork industry is well supported by Big River Pork at Murray Bridge.

Dairy: Potential water allocations in Southern Mallee & Upper South East present opportunities for large scale investment into intensive dairy production as the dairy industry faces reduction of Murray River water allocations.