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Agriculture in New South Wales is worth approximately $7.9 billion per annum, with the New England and North West region producing some $1.9 billion.
Narrabri Shire is in the heart of the Namoi Valley and being located in the New England and North West, is an area well renowned for producing some of the world’s highest quality cotton, beef, wheat, fat lambs and wool.
Wee Waa, some 40 minutes drive from Narrabri is known as the “Cotton Capital of Australia” and historically is the area where cotton was first grown in this country. Cotton is the major agricultural industry in Narrabri Shire with a majority of production being based on irrigable land around Wee Waa. Out of the five largest individual exporters of cotton in Australia, two of them are based in the Narrabri Shire area. These are the grower owned co-operative of Namoi Cotton and Auscott Limited.
Narrabri Shire plays a significant role in the advancement of the cotton industry through the Australian Cotton Research Institute Facility located between Narrabri & Wee Waa.
The Wheat industry in Narrabri Shire is also a large employer of the workforce, particularly at busy times such as sowing and harvest. A majority of the wheat produced is on dryland farms with suitable weather conditions and rainfall levels being required to grow A winter crop to its maximum capacity. Most wheat is grown on broadacre properties North of Narrabri in the Bellata and Edgeroi areas.
The Wheat Research and Plant Breeding centre in Narrabri is vital in keeping national wheat production at the forefront of world developments.
The expansive floodplain makes agricultural land mostly suitable for cropping but areas of the Shire are utilised for livestock production and have on occasions achieved world class results.
Many “niche” or cottage industries are also grown in Narrabri Shire including;
- Grapes;
- Jojoba;
- Olives;
- Dorper Lamb;
- Goats;
- Peanuts; and
- Citrus.
Value adding opportunities show the diversity of production in this area. Some examples include;
- Wheat from the Bellata area is sent to Tamworth to be made into pasta by Bellata Gold.
- Sorghum is used by Nutrimix and added to stockfeeds.
- Jojoba is made into beauty products.
- Cotton Seeds are crushed by Cargill and made into oils for cooking and used in beauty products.
- Olives are converted into olive oil and beauty products.
- Cotton is ginned and compacted before haulage. and
- Locally grown Grapes.
More value adding and vertical integration opportunities are evident to create additional wealth in local business, but these need to be fostered whenever possible.
Narrabri is home to an inland port with storage and facilities owned by IPS Logistics Australia and Auscott. IPS alone moves over 100,000 tonnes of containerised agricultural product from its site each year giving an indication of just a small portion of the product being transported from this region for export.
Narrabri Shire is a transport hub positioned at the junction of the Newell and Kamilaroi Highways.
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