Changing face of ag industry

Young female representation in the agricultural industry is increasing.

Grazier Jacqui Tickell with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

THE agricultural industry is not only growing, but getting younger and with more women, according to the latest statistics compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The proportion of people aged 35 and younger is on the rise, now making up 24 per cent of the industry.

ABARES executive director Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds said the paper provided an in-depth look at the people who make up a key Australian industry.

"While those working in agriculture are older on average than the general workforce, the proportion of under-35s has risen over the past five years to 24 per cent,” he said.

"Of those young people, 30 per cent are women, up two per cent from 2011.”

Women now make up 32 per cent of the industry overall, and Dr Hatfield- Dodds said they were more likely to be managers.

"They traditionally provide the lion's share of off-farm income.”

Originally published as Changing face of ag industry