A spatial equilibrium analysis of the future Queensland kangaroo harvesting industry

Switala, John (1997). A spatial equilibrium analysis of the future Queensland kangaroo harvesting industry PhD Thesis, School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, The University of Queensland.

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Author Switala, John
Thesis Title A spatial equilibrium analysis of the future Queensland kangaroo harvesting industry
School, Centre or Institute School of Natural and Rural Systems Management
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 1997
Thesis type PhD Thesis
Total pages 330
Language eng
Subjects 0702 Animal Production
Formatted abstract The world trade in wild animal products is a multi-billion dollar industry, but Australia's share of this trade is very small. Australia has an abundance of wild native species and introduced animals that have commercial potential, but has continued to ignore these opportunities by managing them as pests rather than a resource.

The harvesting of free ranging kangaroos is by far the biggest "wild animal industry" in Australia.

Recently the development of a kangaroo harvesting industry, marketing meat for human consumption, has received much attention from land owners seeking an alternative source of income, and conservation groups and government agencies seeking to protect the range lands from over grazing. This study seeks to identify the future infrastructure of a kangaroo harvesting industry in Queensland which could result from the development of new markets.

The study identifies the optimal number and best location of harvesters, chiller boxes, and processing plants required to service a future industry. A sensitivity analysis is used to examine the effects of fluctuations in market conditions, kangaroo numbers, harvest rates, and production rates and costs.

In the past the use of spatial equilibrium modelling has been limited to analysing a number of traditional production orientated industries including the beef wool, grain and dairy industries. The kangaroo industry is unique in that it is based on the field harvesting of a highly fluctuating free ranging population. The fact that kangaroos are a native species protected by state and federal governments, imposes restrictions on industry development. This study uses spatial equilibrium theory to model the kangaroo harvesting industry.

Advances in computing technology has enabled me to incorporate a non-linear quadratic demand function representing constant elasticity along its entire length. Previous studies were restricted to using straight, or linear, demand functions, which were relevant for only small subsections. The inclusion of a constant elasticity demand function provides a more realistic presentation of the likely future demand conditions for kangaroo meat based on the limited information available on market demand conditions.

The development in this study of a spatial equilibrium model for the kangaroo harvesting industry has potential application to other industries in which animals are field harvested, notably feral goats and pigs.
Keyword Kangaroo meat industry
Kangaroo products industry
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