The inaugural National Farmer Priorities Survey survey of more than 1,600 farmers has confirmed falling confidence within the sector, and revealed reservations about the approach of the Albanese Government.
Conducted by the National Farmers’ Federation in partnership with regional public relations firm Seftons, the survey has shown deteriorating optimism with 1 in 3 farmers less positive about the future of farming than they were 12 months ago.
Faith in the Federal Government is dwindling, with a majority of farmers (54.3%) believing that the policies of the government are detrimental to the industry. Less than a third (31.2%) expressed satisfaction with the current government's performance in representing the interests of farmers.
Farmers highlighted several critical concerns, including federal climate change policies, environmental laws, biosecurity, the market power of processors and supermarkets, roads and transportation infrastructure, and overseas trading relationships.
NFF President Fiona Simson
“What we’ve heard through this survey is that farmers are feeling frustrated. They’re being squeezed by a lack of government support on a wide range of fronts – whether that’s the unchecked market power of supply chain players, crumbling rural roads, unnecessary green tape, workplace laws… the list goes on," said NFF President Fiona Simson.
“This isn’t a stellar report card for the Albanese Government. They need to listen to people on the land and the need to act, because farmers are losing faith.
"Looming policy failures like shutting down the live sheep export trade or shutting down farms in the Murray Darling Basin send a damning message about the government’s priorities. Farmers are getting that message loud and clear,” Ms Simson said.
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While the report revealed falling farmer confidence, across the sector sentiment still remained relatively robust, particularly for those in crops and horticulture.
37.2% of respondents report feeling more positive than a year ago, 31.4% remained neutral, and 31.4 % indicating their positivity has fallen.
Across commodity sectors, confidence was up amongst fruit and vegetable farmers, with 55.8% feeling more positive than a year ago, followed by sugar at 55.4%.
It was a different story for the livestock industry with only 26.6% of beef producers feeling more positive than last year. For the sheepmeat and wool sectors, just 30% and 31.6% felt more positive than last year.
The key issues affecting farmers were linked to government policy were as follows:
Despite the growing negative sentiment, farmers continued to enjoy their work, with 83% of beef producers loving what they do, followed by wool growers at 78% and sheepmeat producers at 77%.
Farmers in Western Australia were particularly positive about their way of life, with 76% per cent saying the 'love what they do', followed closely by Victorian and New South Wales’ farmers at 75% and 71% per cent, respectively.
Report co-author Robbie Sefton AM said, “there is no better and more meaningful lot in life than to produce food and fibre for a living and form part of a farming community."
Labour continued to remain an issue in the sector close to nine-in-10 agricultural businesses (87%) saying they would employ at least one additional worker if hiring conditions were improved. Nearly half of those who would hire (40%), said they would employ more than 10 additional workers.
Access to accommodation ranked as having the highest impact by 35% of respondents. Community perceptions of agriculture was also considered to be the major barrier to sourcing workers for 21% of survey respondents.
Only 18% said the cost of award wages had the highest impact on accessing workers, while 40% said it had the least impact.
Given the unease about the future Ms Simon said it was critical the government consulted farmers on policies that will shape their livelihoods.
"We want to do is ensure government hears the emerging concerns of our food and fibre producers and acts to secure a prosperous future for them and their communities,” she said.
The National Farmers Federation conference ‘Australia to the World’ will feature Agriculture Minister Murray Watt among others and will be held in Canberra on October 26-27. For tickets and the full program, visit nffconference.com.au
