Australia-Lowest Sheep numbers in 84 years.

AUSTRALIA

SHEEP NUMBERS LOWEST IN 84 YEARS

Sheep numbers in Australia fell to 85.7 million in 2006-2007,the lowest number since 1924.Cattle numbers remained stable at 25.4 million, Pigs fell by 5pc to 2.6 million.

Wheat production for 2006-2007 fell by 57pc to 10.8 million tons, Barley production fell by 55pc to 4.3 million tons, Cotton fell by 50 pc to 282,000 tons while Rice production fell by 84pc to 163,000 tons.

Tomatoes fell by 34pc to 296,000 tons, Orange production fell by 7pc to 471,000 tons,

Banana production increased by 14pc to 213,000 tons.

The very severe weather conditions and drought were responsible for the decline in productivity.