What’s it like to be a farmer today?

Results have come in from the inaugural survey from The Farmer’s Voice which is the first step of the first project themed - What’s it like to be a farmer today?

A total of 230 farmers from around the country contributed their views and we’ve now wrapped that up. There were some great responses and some heartfelt views.

Participation in The Farmer's Voice will help guide food and fibre sector strategy, and give you agency over the speed and direction of change.

Below is a summary of the results and the next steps in this project.

On one hand it’s great

66% love farming, or think it is mostly good
Only a few don’t like it (8%), 27% think it’s ok or aren’t sure
98% LOVE something about it:

  • Working with animals and working outside

  • Being your own boss

  • Caring for the land

  • Creating value by growing food for NZ – and being recognised for it

  • Farming people and communities

  • The lifestyle and family dynamics it offers

  • The variety of challenges and things you do day to day

A lot of farmers are involved with a farming organisation
51% say it ‘s better than expected, only 5% say it’s been worse
79% say Federated Farmers membership is great or good value

But on the other hand, it is frustrating

94% DISLIKE something about farming

  • The #1 dislike is having to deal with regulations and compliance.

  • Poor profitability due to rising costs and weak returns

  • The public criticism aimed at farmers – especially from people they consider to be ignorant about the realities of farming

61% think farming is getting worse, while only 20% think it is improving
A quarter are experiencing problems with physical and mental health
A third are not confident about their farming future

  • Female farmers are notably more worried about their farming future than men

  • Dairy farmers are a little more optimistic than beef, sheep or arable farmers

The Bottom Line

Farmers have a richly rewarding life that is under huge pressure from financial sustainability, increasing regulatory demands and mounting social criticism.
There is a need for stronger support to help farmers manage these pressures within farming and to help strengthen farming’s reputation beyond the farm gate.

"As a farmer I appreciate my work surroundings and the people who I interact with in carrying out our business. I love the challenges posed by sustainability issues and restoration of our damaged taio."

“We need to farm together to showcase what we all do - have pride in producing food the best way we can.”

"I love it, but I am concerned about the increasing inflation and prices of operation and how we will still maintain our relevance in the world market."

“You just get beaten down by the constant negativity from our media and uninformed bureaucrats who have no understanding of what is required to provide food for the masses.”

“I'm worried about the mood of those farmers around me: I think farming has always had its challenges, but now, with the amount of media accessible, at all times, on all devices, the repetition of negativity has resulted in the catastrophizing of where the industry is at.”

Next steps - Watch out for articles in Farmers Weekly

We have shared the results with the team at Farmers Weekly who will lead the conversations on the topics you tell us matter with the relevant people and organisations in farming sector leadership. Look out in Farmers Weekly for a series of articles tagged The Farmer’s Voice.

Once we’ve wrapped up the first project, The Farmer's Voice will create new ones based on the issues you have already told us that matter the most.