Farming meat rabbits:
Rabbit farming
This article provides a brief overview of the meat rabbit industry in Australia, the legal requirements and guidelines recognised by the Dept. of Primary Industries (DPI) for the farming of meat rabbits in NSW;
The NSW rabbit industry is still in the development stage, with an increasing number of small-scale producers. Many producers are selling breeding stock as well as rabbits for slaughter. The trend is for rabbit farms to locate in areas where processing plants are established or proposed, to reduce the costs and problems associated with transporting rabbits.
In metropolitan markets, rabbit meat is established as a high-value gourmet meat. Future market prices will continue to be determined by consumer acceptance.
There is a large capital outlay required in setting up or expanding a rabbit enterprise. It is important for potential investors to calculate the return on capital invested and compare it with other long-term investment opportunities. Remember to include any tax advantages associated with each venture. This will help determine whether or not the rabbit enterprise is a worthwhile investment. Please see other Informed Farmers “Rabbit Farming in Australia” articles on marketed rabbits that relate to their breeding, manure production, housing and so on.
Industry background:
In the past, the Australian rabbit industry was based on harvesting wild rabbits.
With the release of rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD), the number of harvested rabbits fell from about 2.7 million wild rabbits per year in 1990 to about 100 000 in 1999. It is now legal to farm rabbits in all states except Queensland and the Northern Territory. Therefore, the farmed rabbit industry has the potential to meet this shortfall for domestic and overseas consumption.
Important issues for prospective rabbit farmers include:
- Farmed rabbits must be a recognised domestic breed or a hybrid of domestic breeds—they cannot be crossed with wild rabbits
- It is an offence to keep wild rabbits, or hybrids of a wild rabbit, without Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) approval. Also, if any domestic rabbits escape they are regarded as pest animals and there is an obligation for capture and control.Rabbits must be kept in a rabbit-proof enclosure.
- In Australia the use of vaccination to prevent myxomatosis is illegal. However, vaccinations can be used against rabbit calicivirus.
- SCARM Report No. 33 The model code of practice for the welfare of animals — Intensive husbandry of rabbits, specifies minimum cage sizes and provisions for supply of food and water to farmed rabbits. It also stipulates procedures for the correct handling and transport of rabbits. SCARM Report No. 59 The Australian standard for hygienic production of rabbit meat for human consumption, provides a guide for producers who operate processing plants.
NSW planning legislation:
- For details of legislation governing establishment or expansion of rabbit farms, refer to ‘Rabbit farming planning and development control guidelines’ on the agriculture section of NSW Department of Primary Industries’ website.
- When planning a new rabbit facility or expanding an existing unit: It is important to first contact the planning department of your local council for information on how to lodge a development application (DA).
The Australian rabbit industry:
Rabbit carcass
• In 2003 the estimated market size for rabbit farming in Australia was about 157 tonnes. This equates to about 119 000 to 132 000 rabbits from 80 to 100 farms averaging 55 does per farm and producing about 24 rabbits per doe.
• In NSW it is estimated that annual sales of meat rabbits is about 108 000 to 120 000 which would account for 4000 to 5000 breeding does.
• In mid 2005, prices for meat rabbits in NSW were about $3.80 per kilogram liveweight or about $7.02 dressed weight. On average, rabbits reach slaughter weights of about 3 kg liveweight or 1.5– 1.6 kg dressed weight. Sale of skins was approximately $6.10 per kilogram or about $0.60 per skin.
• Profitability is very sensitive to feed prices, with costs in NSW for 2005 at about $400–$450 per tonne, depending on transport costs.
• The projected growth for the industry is about 10% per year. Expansion to date has been mainly through increases in average farm size rather than more entrants into the industry.
Source:
NSW Dept Primary Industries: Graeme Taylor Livestock Officer Pigs, Ian Kruger Environmental Engineer Intensive Industries Development, Tamworth.
