Australia Post continues its celebration of Farming

Australia Post is showcasing several of the country's farming industries in its second stamp issue in the Australian Year of the Farmer. The stamp issue will be released on 26 June 2012.

The issue comprises four domestic base rate (60c) stamps depicting the beef cattle, orange, sugar and wool industries. It is part of an ongoing series focusing on various farming industries in Australia.

"We are delighted to be issuing a second stamp issue this year highlighting the importance of our farming industries and their significant contribution to Australia's economy and prosperity," said Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt.

This year marks the Australian Year of the Farmer - a year-long celebration of the vital role of farming in Australia. It aims to involve and bring together rural and urban communities, schools, farming organisations, suppliers and consumers of Australia's produce in a program of events across the nation.

Beef cattle are one of Australia's major industries and today there are over 23 million animals, which is in stark contrast to the six head of cattle that arrived with the first European settlers in 1788. The cattle represented on the stamp are Droughtmaster, a Brahman cattle cross developed in Australia for dry, harsh conditions, particularly in the north of the country.

Oranges account for most of the citrus fruit produced every year in Australia - the main orange varieties being Navels and Valencias. Major citrus production regions are in the Riverland, South Australia; the Murray Valley in Victoria and New South Wales; the Riverina in New South Wales and the Central Burnett region in Queensland.

Australia is the third largest raw sugar producer in the world with 80 per cent of the country's sugar being exported. Australia's sugarcane is grown along Australia's eastern coast, between Mossman in far north Queensland and Grafton in New South Wales. Queensland accounts for about 95 per cent of Australia's raw sugar production, and New South Wales around 5 per cent.

Australia is the world's leading producer and exporter of wool, accounting for around 24 per cent of global wool production. The Australian sheep flock is predominantly Merino, which produces finer wool than other breeds. Wool is produced in Australia from the highlands of northern and southern New South Wales and Tasmania,to the pastoral zones of Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

The Farming Australia stamps were designed by Jo Muré from the Australia Post Design Studio. Jo's recent stamp issue designs include Golf, ANZUS (2011) and Farming Australia - part one (2012). The stamp products include a first day cover, stamp pack, self-adhesive booklet of 10 x 60c stamps, self-adhesive booklet of 20 x 60c stamps, self-adhesive roll of 100 x 60c stamps, self-adhesive roll of 200 x 60c stamps and a set of four maxicards. The stamps and associated products are available from participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 26 June 2012 while stocks last. These stamps are a long-term issue produced for ongoing postal requirements.