Tuesday 2 Septmeber 2025
Farmers for Climate Action will release its Australian Agricultural Insights study at its sold-out Farming Forever National Summit TODAY.
Results show climate change was the top concern for farmers surveyed (57%, up from 55% in 2023) with bureaucracy (16%) and rising costs (15%) second and third
The Summit will see 300 farmers, value chain representatives, and policy makers converge in Canberra TODAY
Farmers have again made clear that climate change is their number one concern in the Australian Agricultural Insights study, carried out by Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) with the support of NAB.
FCA, which now represents more than 8,400 farmer members, will release the results of its Agricultural Insights Study at its sold out Farming Forever Summit in Canberra TODAY.
Some 618 farmers were surveyed. The results show:
Biggest threat: 57% of farmers say climate change is the greatest threat to Australian agriculture (up from 55% in 2023) surpassing bureaucracy (16%) and rising costs (15%).
Extreme weather: 93% of farmers have faced at least one extreme weather event in the past three years. 74% of farmers reported experiencing unusual rainfall, up from 64% in 2023, and 52% said they had experienced drought, up from 39%. Those facing unpredictable growing seasons increased from 53% to 58%.
70% of farmers have already invested in emissions reduction measures on their farms, including soil health improvement, rotational grazing, and clean energy.
67% plan to expand climate-smart practices, but many face barriers such as outdated infrastructure, lack of trusted advice, and unclear government policies.
Nearly 80% support urgent updates to energy infrastructure and regulations to ensure farmers receive the benefits of the clean energy shift.
65% of farmers are looking to produce and store clean energy on-farm.
FCA CEO Natalie Collard said farmer surveys showed what farmers were really thinking.
"We listen to farmers, not Facebook comments," Ms Collard said.
"We see a lot of media telling us what farmers are thinking - well here's some actual data.
"Farmers surveyed say their most pressing concern is climate change. This matches the results of professional polling by respected polling firms. The second concern is bureaucracy (16%) and third rising costs (15%).
"The results show an upward trend in those naming climate change as their #1 concern, as well as those who have experienced drought, unseasonal rainfall and unpredictable growing seasons, which makes it very hard for farmers to grow the food we eat.
"Farmers are asking for practical support to reduce their own emissions: 80% want consistent, trusted frameworks for reporting emissions, nearly 80% back local infrastructure upgrades to help them engage with clean energy, and 63% say grants and tax breaks are the most effective way to drive change. Interestingly, some 63% of farmers surveyed by the Victorian Farmers Federation recently nominated "Getting the transition to renewable energy right" as a concern, landing it fifth in that survey.
"The key driver of climate change is coal and gas. Coal and gas make up the majority of Australia's carbon pollution and air pollution. Using coal and gas to create electricity is optional; eating food is not."
Some de-identified quotes from the survey:
"Farming is becoming harder, with each event further reducing production capacity."
"We worry that our insurance won't cover the full costs of our infrastructure in case the next fire reaches us."
"I love my cows, and I love living on the land, but I am acutely aware that Australia is in species decline and this has to be taken seriously by all of us."
The mean size of the farm owned by the 618 farmers who completed the survey was 3780 hectares. The survey results came from those farming:
Beef: 61%
Sheep meat: 37%
Wool: 24%
Grains: 19%
Horticulture: 16%
Dairy, cotton, sugar and winegrowers were also represented.
The sample was split across the states: News South Wales 40%, Western Australia 36%, Victoria 30%, Queensland 10%, Tasmania 7%, and South Australia 5%.
