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Harsh season a defining moment
TASFARMERS
MATTERS
NATHAN CALMAN
DESPITE the continued weak
conditions, farmers are keeping
one eye on the horizon toward
those signs and seasonal indicators that may signify a swing to
better times.
The Q2 Rabobank Rural Con昀椀dence survey released last month
shows a net decline in con昀椀dence
to -16 per cent, down -7 per cent
from the previous quarter’s
survey.
At the time of the survey, 40 per
cent of producers were conscious
that conditions may deteriorate or
worsen further.
For a majority of farmers participating in the survey drought
was of course, the number one
concern for the sector, and members across the state are telling
us nothing has changed, only
the demand and need for feed
increased.
Many farmers from King
Island and Flinders to the southeast of mainland Tasmania have
It will be
favourable
agricultural
policies
and further
government
support
appearing on
the horizon that
will provide
any real sign of
relief for many.
Better times may be just over the horizon.
been impacted by the logistic
issue of destocking and bottlenecks around processing.
Members can be assured TasFarmers continues to lobby the
government to provide solutions
and secure access to mainland
supply concerning feed and
logistics.
It will be favourable agricultural policies and further government support appearing on the
horizon that will provide any real
sign of relief for many.
The policy setting must be
around effective drought relief
programs and policy measures
that support recovery from
adverse dry conditions, and we
are not there yet.
Some of these are already in
place with welcome news this
week on the Tasmanian Government hardship grant program
being extended over the winter
until spring.
However, our farmers need
the support of the Federal
Government when it comes to
making changes to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme
to secure feed and fodder.
The state has received some
rainfall recently, but one of the
key indicators that will bring optimism is a shift towards more consistent and suf昀椀cient rainfall.
This will be especially important as we approach the next
growing period, which will help
establish healthy crops and ensure
adequate yields.
These policy challenges are
substantial, and while some stability may be returning to red meat
markets, producers will also be
looking for signs of higher prices
in the market to further reduce
uncertainty and facilitate longer-term planning.
Periods of drought always turn
to long-term planning and will
naturally focus on water management, with state and federal
government investment in irrigation serving as a critical seasonal buffer.
This will be the defining
moment for farmers and will foster optimism about the future and
encourage sustainable investment.
YOUR NEW HOMEPAGE
Introducing our brand-new website for
Tasmania’s only statewide publication;
a single source for all your rural news,
backcountry business, rural real estate,
and a back catalogue of your favourite
farm features.
THE VOICE OF RURAL TASMANIA
Subscribers to our digital edition will also be
able to access the flipbook directly from the
new site.
THE VOICE OF RURAL TASMANIA
S
www.tasmaniancountry.com
4 TASMANIAN COUNTRY Friday, July 5, 2024
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