October 4, 2011

Beef producers least confident about Australia's agriculture industry

A national survey has shown that farmer confidence plunged in two years to its lowest and beef producers were least optimistic about Australia's agricultural industry.

Cattle graziers are the least confident farm group in the nation, according to a quarterly Rabobank report.

Producers say it is not problems inside the farm gate fuelling the negativity but global economic uncertainty and concerns about public policy.

The survey indicates Australian farmer sentiment has dropped dramatically, with 35% of farmers expecting conditions to worsen rather than improve in the next 12 months.

The main driver was concern about government intervention and policies, including the threat to live exports.

A quarter of all pastoralists cited the handling of exports in recent months as a major concern.