"With climate change ... the outlook [for global food production and prices] is more complex, and problematic. World agricultural production will be affected adversely by warming, by more variable weather, and by more intense severe weather events. That will raise global food prices. The price increases in themselves would help Australian incomes. But Australian food production would be affected more than food production in most other countries, and most Australian farmers would be battling to maintain the production that would allow them to take advantage of higher prices.

The 21st century is likely to provide large opportunities for Australian farmers if there is effective global mitigation. It is likely to be deeply problematic without effective global mitigation. The Australian rural economy has an immense interest in the success of global mitigation." 

(Garnaut, 2011, p. 135)

Extensive agriculture

Extensive agriculture generally refers to the production of crops and animals across expansive areas of land. Extensive agriculture covers grain, sugar cane, cotton, sheep and wool, dairy, beef cattle, and goat production.

Extensive livestock: beef cattle (stations), sheep and some dairy

Extensive cropping: cereals, oilseeds and grain legumes

Intensive agriculture

Intensive agriculture refers to the production of crops and animals in concentrated areas of land. Intensive agriculture covers feedlot cattle, pigs and poultry production, and intensive growing of crops.

Intensive livestock: Feedlots, pigs, poultry and some dairy

Intensive cropping: Horticulture, viticulture, agroforestry/farm forestry

(Primary Skills Victoria, 2009)

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2014). Agricultural commodities, Australia, 2013-14. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/7121.0

Department of Agriculture and Food. (2015). Buy west eat best. Retrieved from http://www.buywesteatbest.org.au/buy-west-eat-best#.VbZJHrf8_25