Native Grasses in the Hunter Region
Click here to download a rough guide to Hunter native grasses
Estimating the value of native grasses to the Hunter economy is a difficult process with a number of assumptions needing to be made. The figures below are taken from the Hunter Valley Research Foundation. The total value of the equestrian industry is difficult to assess however taking the expenditure of the industry of $134 million dollars per year as a minimum should help in getting a “ballpark” estimate.
| Type |
Total value |
Est. % native pastures | Total value native pasture (millions) |
| Beef & Lamb | 136 | 70 | 95.2 |
| Wool | 13 | 25 | 9.1 |
| Dairy | 134 | 50 | 67 |
| Equestrian | 355 | 189.3 |
From the table above we get a ballpark estimate of $189.3 million dollars per year mostly in the beef and lamb industries, the 50% estimate for use of native grass in the equestrian industry may be high but the industry is likely to be worth much more than $134 million. So an estimate of $150-200 million dollars per year as a baseline figure would be a reasonable assumption. This doesn’t take into account the benefits of reducing erosion and salinity.
