A MIXED farmer from Moree has been elected as the new president of New South Wales Farmers, succeeding Xavier Martin after four years in the role.

NSW Farmers president Rebecca Reardon.

More than 300 farmers gathered at the Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney this week for the annual meeting one of the country’s biggest state farming organisations, with food, fuel and fertiliser security, drought response, renewable energy planning, land tax and biosecurity all on the agenda.

They were also there to elect a new president, with former vice-president Rebecca Reardon being the successful applicant. Ms Reardon runs a grain growing and livestock business with her husband Dan and three children. She has also served on several industry boards and worked mainly in the corporate grains industry for more than 20 years.

“My inspiration for stepping into this role is to get agriculture in NSW and NSW Farmers Association in a stronger place for the next generation,” Ms Reardon said.

“If farmers and rural communities don’t have a voice, they’ll be dealt a poorer hand.”

Food security needing attention

NSW Farmers chief executive officer Annabel Johnson said the industry has had a triple dose of global supply pressures, acute cost of production shocks and weather variability.

“Our farmers saw their profit margins evaporate almost overnight due to the Middle East conflict, which also exposed the vulnerability of our fuel and fertiliser supply chains to global shocks.”

“Protecting the supply of food, fuel, and fertiliser requires urgent policy action, including onshore fuel reserves. This will be one of the key issues at this year’s Conference and aligns with its theme of ‘A Stronger Farming Future – Grow your Voice, Grow our Future’.”

Call for drought response revamp

One resolution from the meeting was to push for a prioritisation of drought preparedness and response.

Grains committee chair Justin Everitt said members are not satisfied with the current framework – with many reporting more tangible assistance on the ground was necessary.

“Drought responses need to be practical with meaningful relief measures that support farmers manage and recover from drought, and prepare for the next one which is always just around the corner,” Mr Everitt said.

“Incentives for on-farm infrastructure improvements such as silos, livestock water infrastructure and containment areas, is one solution proposed.”

“Other ones include fixed cost fee relief for businesses such as the waiving of road usage charges for trucks and a federal and state government subsidy for shire rates.”

NSW Farmers will advocate that the NSW Government provide dollar-for-dollar matched drought assistance grants for drought-affected farming businesses for water infrastructure improvements, fodder purchases up to $15,000 and financial planning services.

“Fodder grants would be a far better drought support measure than a freight subsidy.”

Farmers are also keen for a return to formal drought declarations when there is sustained low rainfall (5 – 10 percent of historical records) over a sustained time period (6 – 12 months).

“NSW Farmers will continue to advocate for practical drought measures that make sure that State and Federal government policy settings are fit-for-purpose, to ensure that farm businesses where can effectively respond and recover from drought – especially where those severe conditions are beyond what can be prepared for.”

Source: NSW Farmers