Wellbeing report finds nine out of 10 farmers feel undervalued

Australian farmers are increasingly feeling undervalued, with a new report indicating that 91% of primary producers believe their work is not recognized by the public. This sentiment has risen sharply from 76% in 2023, according to the 2026 National Farmer Wellbeing Report. The report, commissioned by dairy cooperative Norco and overseen by the Black Dog Institute, surveyed over 1,000 farmers and found mounting pressure across the sector.

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There was no hope, no outlook. You couldn't buy feed, if you could source it, it was that expensive. There was cattle dying everywhere.

High levels of stress, emotional strain, and psychological distress are prevalent among farmers. The report indicates that 54% of respondents experienced depression or feeling down in the past two years, an increase from 46% in 2023. Mental health has deteriorated for a third of farmers in the last year, and anxiety affects about one in four, up from 14% in 2023. Alarmingly, 15% of farmers have reported thoughts of self-harm or suicide in the past two years.

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Our farm was in it too. We were crippled by it, but because of my experience at Lifeline, I felt, 'Gee, I can do this, so I should do it.'

Norco chief executive Michael Hampson stressed the deteriorating plight of farmers and the urgent need for meaningful support. "We need to get out amongst our farmers in this country and show them that we support them, we value what they do," Hampson stated. He emphasized that farmers are enduring severe natural disasters and global geopolitical issues, underscoring the necessity of fast and effective assistance to ensure the continuation of Australian farming.

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The plight of our farmers unfortunately is deteriorating, not getting better.

Farmers like Jane Polson, a dairy farmer on the NSW Mid North Coast, have experienced devastating losses due to extreme weather. Polson recounted living through two major floods in five years, which led to the loss of hundreds of cattle and hundreds of thousands of dollars in infrastructure. "The rain just didn't stop coming," she said, describing how floodwaters inundated her dairy farm. Her experience is not isolated, as the report highlights the increasing impact of disasters on the agricultural sector.

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We need to get out amongst our farmers in this country and show them that we support them, we value what they do.