School of Geography - Theses

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The structure of agriculture in south-west Gippsland, 1963-1973

Brinsmead, G. S. J. ( 1974)

This research paper investigates the structure and pattern of agriculture for the period 1963 to 1973 in an area of South-West Gippsland. The physical characteristics of the area are found to be conducive to a range of agricultural activities, and the area possesses a well developed set of service facilities. The basic data for the investigation is provided by questionnaires completed by a sample of 157 farmers. The data indicated that for the period 1963 to 1973 28% of farms had changed operators, 20% of farms had increased in size and 28% of farmers had altered their farms dominant activities with the importance of beef cattle production increasing significantly, the number of dairy farms decreasing slightly, and sheep and pig activities declining markedly. Analysis of milk marketing patterns showed basically a pattern of supplying the nearest factory. Melbourne metropolitan stock markets dominated the sale of beef cattle and sheep from the area, however, local markets had a more even share in the sale of dairy cows and calves. Better prices and greater buyer competition attracted sellers to metropolitan markets, whereas local markets were used for reasons of convenience and local loyalty.