By JONATHON HOWARD
SOUTHERN Downs farmers are facing a long drought ahead, as three-quarters of Queensland’s agricultural land remains drought-declared.
But a recent confidence survey of grain growers and beef producers has revealed a surprising level of optimism.
In contrast, confidence remained subdued among canegrowers, while cotton farmers were stable in their outlook.
The latest Rabobank Rural Confidence survey – completed last month – found farmers were looking to the coming year with more optimism with net confidence lifting to eight per cent, up from (minus) -20 per cent previously.
The percentage of those expecting conditions to improve increased to 34 per cent (up from 26 per cent) while 40 per cent expected similar conditions to last year.
Those expecting conditions to worsen almost halved to 26 per cent – down from 46 per cent.
A comprehensive monitor of outlook and sentiment in Australian rural industries, the Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey questions an average of 1000 primary producers across a wide range of commodities and geographical areas throughout Australia on a quarterly basis.
Rabobank state manager for Queensland and Northern Territory, Brad James said he was not surprised that confidence had picked up given the rain and the lift in beef prices at the time, however it was not universal with many still battling dry conditions and in need of follow-up rain.
“The season has been the main determinant of sentiment this quarter, with farmers welcoming good rains in central Queensland and the southern end of the Northern Brigalow Belt,” Mr James said.
“In contrast, many in the north of the state have essentially missed another season with earlier falls not receiving any follow-up and rains being patchy in the south.”
The next results are scheduled for release in September 2014.
