Inconsistent environmental conditions. Harsh working hours. Isolation. What do all of these have in common? Battles Australian farmers must endure every day to make a living, and often, the most feasible option is to abandon the industry and the excruciating effort put into upholding it to prioritise their wellbeing.
At the turn of the century there were 7,409 Victorian dairy businesses, with the current remnants being 2,700 as of late 2024. Furthermore, The Conversation noted 97 percent of Australian farmers claimed animal welfare is not at risk, ultimately putting animal care before their own.
Continually plummeting on their own priority list, this stress “takes a toll on the family unit” and fosters a burden of “not passing their legacy down to the next generation” according to behavioural health expert Michele Kroll.
As farmers leave the industry, those who remain are suffocated with the pressure of increased demand and therefore a more unmanageable workload, creating a seemingly inescapable cycle.
Jane Richter, Communications Manager at Berries Australia reported more than a quarter of Australian farming families are in their “final generation” due to falling out of love with the lifestyle and deterring their children from the “great pressures and uncertainties of farming and the insufficient financial rewards.”
Berries Australia also surveyed Australian farmers about their perceptions of self-worth in the community, with 76 percent of farmers saying the role they play is “undervalued” by the Australian public.
These feelings of inadequacy consequentially threaten Australia’s food security, as the latest AUSVEG Industry Sentiment Report, which found two in five farmers “consider leaving the industry”.
Prior Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has talked about the “disastrous” nature of losing the backbone of Australia’s produce. He has said the cause and effect of supply dropping would lead to the skyrocketing of prices at our supermarket checkouts. Mr Littleproud has said up to 40 percent of farmers would quit if they had a “viable exit strategy”.
Organisations such as Rural Aid and Agriculture Victoria have developed systems to assist Australian farmers in overcome struggles and reignite passion for farming, including one-on-one helplines and financial support, allowing our farmers to continue what they do best.
This story is part of a project exploring regional Victoria and the issues farmers are facing. See the whole collection here.
