Confidence in decline for most farmers

BIOSECURITY is one of the biggest concerns for 94 per cent of farmers across the country. 

Results from the second National Farmer Priorities Survey by the National Farmers’ Federation have also shown a sharp drop in confidence among primary producers when it comes to Federal Government policy. 

There has been a steep decline in farmers’ confidence in the Federal Government, with ratings across four sentiment measures deteriorating by an average of 32 per cent in the past 12 months. 

This includes only one in 10 believing the government has a positive plan for the farming sector, a drop of nearly 38 per cent from 2023. 

The market power of supermarkets and processors fell to a close second place at 93.9 per cent. 

Federal environment laws ranked third at 92.5 per cent, both up more than 10 per cent on 2023 1026 farmers from across Australia have had their say in the National Farmer Priorities Survey. The largest swings in concern levels, compared with 2023, were seen towards biosecurity up 12.7 per cent and live sheep exports up 12.2 per cent. NFF President David Jochinke said the results are unsurprising. 

“Critical issues like the live sheep export ban, biosecurity tax and water buybacks have weighed heavily on farmers,” he said. 

“Particularly telling are the results around the live sheep exports. Despite only 10 per cent of respondents hailing from WA, it rated as one of the highest areas of concern. This clearly demonstrates when bad policy infiltrates one sector, it puts every other sector on notice that they could be next.” 

The survey found that despite the challenges a growing number of farmers love what they do and their communities. 

However, in good news the survey found 89 per cent agree with the statement “I love what I do” and 78 say their community is a “great place to live” – with those measures rising by 18 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. 

However, industry sentiment is deteriorating with half of farmers less positive about the future of family-run farms.

“Despite a growing list of challenges keeping farmers up at night, it’s positive to see an uptick in farmers being proud of what they do and where they live, Mr Jochinke said. 

“Farming is meaningful work where you get up each day knowing you are making sure people have food in their bellies and clothes on their back.” 

Mr Jochinke said the NFF is hopeful that recent changes in the Federal Government ministry could be a positive. 

“As we look ahead, we now have a refreshed ministry on the hill,” he said.

“We hope the new ministerial team in Julie Collins and Anthony Chisholm will re-evaluate the Government’s direction and work with farmers to support the sector. 

"Yes, farmers are frustrated. They feel they aren’t being heard and they are being steamrolled by harmful policies – that appear to be driven by activist groups or politicians, not farmers. But this can be the low water mark, as farmers are ready and willing to work with Government to turn this around.” 

Seftons managing director and report co-author Robbie Sefton said the data is a stark shift from where we were just twelve months ago. 

“At Seftons, we’re all about understanding and communicating what people in rural Australia are feeling,” he said. 

“What this data clearly shows is that right now, people in farming communities do not feel like they’re being heard.” Mr Sefton said he hopes decision makers will look at these numbers and commit themselves to doing better. 

It’s important that regional Australians are heard when decisions are made that impact their future.