On Sunday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tasmanian MP Julie Collins would replace Murray Watt as Agriculture Minister, adding to her existing portfolio of Small Business.

Senator Watt, meanwhile, was appointed Employment and Workplace Relations Minister amid a pre-election reshuffle prompted by the retirement of Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said while the incoming Federal Agriculture Minister had a big task ahead of her, the portfolio was also a unique opportunity to drive positive change within the sector to keep farmers farming.

“The appointment of Julie Collins as the nation’s Federal Agriculture Minister marks a new chapter for the industry, we’re hopeful of a more practical and common-sense approach – certainly as small business minister she already has an appreciation for some of the challenges we face,” Mr Martin said.

“All Australians have a stake in the future of farming, and the Federal Agriculture Minister has several key responsibilities to enable us to feed the future.

“While there’s much to be done, by working together with the new Minister’s team, there’s much we can do to make a positive difference within the industry and the rural communities that rely on it.”

Key priorities for agriculture

As Ms Collins takes the reins of the nation’s Agriculture portfolio amid the Albanese Government reshuffle, Mr Martin said NSW Farmers looked forward to engaging with the Minister on key priorities for the sector as soon as possible.

“Solutions and support with national traceability reforms, biosecurity concerns and meaningful competition reform are just some of the priorities we hope to be able to work with the Minister as we move forward into this new period,” Mr Martin said.

“This is an exciting time to be in agriculture, and we look forward to engaging and moving forward on key priorities for our state’s farmers with the Minister as soon as she can get her boots in the paddock.”

Mr Martin said Senator Watt’s experience as Agriculture Minister would be vital as he stepped into the workplace relations role, with labour shortages a major constraint for farmers.

“Australian farmers pull their boots on every day to produce the healthy plants and healthy animals that feed and clothe the nation, but they cannot do it alone,” Mr Martin said.

“Whether it’s year-round roles or extra pairs of hands at harvest, we need to ensure we have workers who can support this critical job of getting food from farm gate to dinner plate.

“Former Employment Minister Tony Burke was deaf to our concerns about the practical impacts of legislative changes, but hopefully Senator Watt’s experience with farmers will help him deliver better outcomes.”

• Read more: NSW Farmers joins campaign against anti-farming policies

National perspective

National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke welcomed Minister Collins to the role in a statement on Sunday.

“The agriculture portfolio holds enormous strategic importance,” Mr Jochinke said.

“The farm sector is central to Australia’s climate and energy plans, as well as our economic prosperity.

“Most importantly, a thriving farm sector means quality, affordable produce for Aussie families amid cost-of-living pressures.

“We hope Minister Collins will be a champion for sensible policies to support and grow our farm sector.”

Mr Jochinke also welcomed Senator Anthony Chisholm into the role as assistant minister to the agricultural portfolio.

“We look forward to also working with Senator Chisholm and having that additional horsepower of an assistant minister in the portfolio,” Mr Jochinke said.

Mr Jochinke said the NFF looked forward to working with the new-look frontbench on a positive plan for the sector as the next election draws nearer.

“We need Minister Collins to work closely and collaboratively with industry to strengthen agriculture’s relationship with the Government,” Mr Jochinke said.

“What farmers are looking for is a demonstration of this government’s commitment to our $100 billion growth target. We want to see positive plans and investments to grow the economy through food and fibre production.”

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Each year, NSW Farmers awards five tertiary scholarships to members or their children to support their university or vocational qualification in a field relevant to regional and rural Australia.

The recipients hailed from the Riverina, the North West and Central West, and were all committed to improving farming futures.

Scholarship recipient and Rural Science student Jennifer Corderoy from Narromine said the scholarships would enable this year’s recipients to open doors and unlock opportunities within their careers.

“Receiving a scholarship from NSW Farmers has provided me with the necessary funds to do further work experience while I study, applying my textbooks to the field and learning much more on-the-job,” Ms Corderoy said.

“Importantly, this scholarship reflects the community unique to our industry, in which one generation gives a ‘leg up’ to the next.

“By studying Rural Science, I am being equipped to address farming challenges, and hope that the contributions of my career to our industry will be a return on the investment of NSW Farmers in me.”

Future farm leaders

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee Chair Deb Charlton said the scholarships had a proven track record of helping future farm leaders find their passion in agriculture and rural communities, with this year’s cohort already showing exceptional potential in their chosen field.

“As an industry body, we have a responsibility to open doors and provide opportunities for the talented next generation coming through,” Mrs Charlton said.

“These students have shown a clear commitment to their studies and I have no doubt each and every one of our recipients has the potential to make a real difference within regional communities through their chosen career.

“These recipients are to be congratulated for their efforts, and I look forward to seeing all they are able to achieve through the help of the program now and into the future.”

The 2024 NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarship recipients were:

• George Hatty, Matong – E.L. O’Brien Scholarship
• Jennifer Corderoy, Narromine – John White Memorial Scholarship
• Ellie Peart, Gulargambone – Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship
• Andrew Newton, Gurley – Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship
• Ann Porter, Forbes River – Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship

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The information collected each year is integral in supporting decision-making about the future of Australian agriculture.

ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said two surveys would be conducted – the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, and the Australian Dairy Industry Survey.

“The farm surveys are a core part of the evidence base that industries and governments across Australia use to provide a health check on the sector, develop policy and respond to challenges, such as drought and trade disruptions,” Dr Greenville said.

The interviews would cover questions about farm structure, land use and the production and economic profile of the farm business for the 2023-24 financial year. Selected estimates for 2024-25 would also be collected.

“The success of the survey, and hence its value to industry and government, depends on the cooperation of participants selected to represent their industry,” Dr Greenville said.

ABARES officers would conduct face-to-face interviews with about 1900 selected farmers throughout Australia from mid-July to December.

For more information about the ABARES annual farm survey, contact ABARES Survey Collection by email at surveysabares@daff.gov.au or by telephone at 1800 026 308.

Fast facts

• The Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey has been conducted continually since 1977-78 – this survey covering broadacre farms provides our longest time series with at present 46 years of data. The current sample is about 1600 farms.
• The Australian Dairy Industry Survey began the following year (1978-79) and provides a time series of 45 years of data. The current sample is about 300 farms.

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Australian farmers encountered varied conditions over the first half of 2024. The ENSO and IOD both returned to neutral conditions in autumn. However dry weather continued to persist across both Western and South Australia. This resulted in challenging winter crop planting conditions. Pasture growth was also impacted. The east coast reported much more favourable soil moisture conditions in comparison.

Commodity prices broadly returned to levels last seen at the end of 2020 despite some price volatility seen over the past six months. The livestock sector was a standout performer with the price index rising nine per cent over the first half of the year. Prices within the cropping sector were steadier in comparison.

Both the domestic and global economy continued to decelerate over the first half of the year. A relatively low Australian dollar has helped to offset this and provided support for export demand. Operating conditions for Australian farmers will continue to evolve over the back half of 2024.

The Rural Bank mid-year Australian agriculture outlook for 2024 covers six major agricultural commodities. The report provides an in-depth perspective on supply, demand, and price expectations in the last half of the year. Key changes in the climate and carbon space are also explored. The Rural Bank mid-year Australian agriculture outlook aims to help Australian farmers make informed decisions by presenting a detailed view on what lies ahead.

Read the reports below:

• Cattle
• Cropping
• Dairy
• Horticulture
• Sheep
• Wool
• Carbon and climate

The year ahead according to Rural Bank

According to the Rural Bank mid-year Australian agriculture outlook Australian farmers can look forward to the second half of 2024. This is driven by strong export demand and favourable price forecasts. Challenges from a consumer spending perspective remain, with a dry start to the winter crop growing season also a concern. Although, the prospect of a La Nina developing later in the year could provide significant benefit to producers.

The production outlook for the coming six months is very reliant on how conditions develop over winter and spring. This is a result of the dry autumn which has impacted soil moisture levels across western and central Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) are forecasting typical rainfall from July to September across eastern, northern, western regions of Australia. Though below average rainfall across Tasmania is likely. The improved forecast follows a dry autumn and will boost winter crop potential. While also improving pasture growth. Despite the typical rainfall forecast, the potential for a wetter back half of the year remains. The continued cooling of sea surface temperatures is driving a shift in the ENSO. Current climate modelling is suggesting there is 50 per cent chance of a La Niña developing from August. This would see increased rainfall across eastern and central Australia. This would prove particularly beneficial for growers in South Australia, Western Australia and western Victoria. The BOM are also forecasting maximum and minimum temperatures as very likely to sit above average across Australia. This may see a reduced risk of frost, which is of particular benefit to the cropping sector.

Global forces on Australian agriculture

Further stability in the global trade environment has been a positive for Australian agriculture in the first half of the year. Expanded trade access into key markets will lift exports across key commodities. India’s recent removal of tariffs on Aussie chickpea imports will have a large benefit. This has resulted in a significant boost to local prices and planted area for the coming season. While an extension to the tariff free period on lentil imports was also a positive for producers.

Growth in volumes exported to India are anticipated over the next six months. Meanwhile, the trade relationship with China, our largest export market, has continued to improve. The removal of trade restrictions on five key meat processing centres will support export demand for beef. While the removal of punitive tariffs on Australian wine exports into China have also been welcomed. Demand from our key Southeast Asian markets also remains strong.

Unfortunately, global freight rates remain elevated. These higher freight costs will continue due to tight vessel supply and strong global demand. Meanwhile, Ukraine has ramped up their grain exports over the last six months. However, the potential for escalating conflict across both eastern Europe and the Middle East remains. This will continue to pose a significant risk to global trade over the next six months. These risks are on display with the ongoing disruption to trade in the Red Sea. Global freight is continuing to be rerouted, increasing costs as a result.

Economic outlook

The Rural Bank mid-year Australian agriculture outlook from an economic perspective is mixed. Domestically, household income is expected to improve. This is on the back of tax cuts and other fiscal support. However, domestic demand is not expected to lift significantly from current levels. Most households are expected to save rather than spend the additional income. Inflation is forecast to moderate to near three per cent by the end of the year. A surprise rise in domestic inflation data has increased the likelihood of a rate increase in the second half of the year. Interest rate cuts aren’t anticipated until mid-2025 as a result.

From a global perspective, China’s economy is expected to continue slowing over the next six months. Reducing global interest rates will provide some positive support from an economic perspective. In contrast, the Australian Dollar will edge towards 70 US cents. This would weigh on Australia’s export competitiveness to a small degree. Farm input costs are easing despite remaining above long-term averages. Fertiliser and diesel prices will sit lower, particularly in comparison to the second half of 2023. A rising unemployment rate is expected to result in greater labour availability, particularly in Q4.

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