The concerns of the region’s young farmers were front and centre at this year’s annual NSW Farmer’s conference.
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Six new Young Farmers branches were announced at the massive three-day event in Sydney, with two in the Riverina.
Chair of the Young Farmer Council Tim Carroll said the new branches give farmers under 35 the power to hold more political sway.
“(The branches) create a more meaningful channel for farmers under 35 to interact and participate with the association and in particular attend the annual conference as voting branch delegates,” Mr Carroll said.
The Riverina has been split into east and west branches, which he said will reduce the need to travel and group “like-minded people”.
Brendan Murray, 31, from Coleambally attended the conference for the first time this year.
He was optimistic about what the organisation will be able to do with the $6 million for the Young Farmer Business Project.
“A lot of young farmers aren’t up to date on the current ways of running business,” he said.
“These extra branches will help gather those young farmers and get info out to them.”
Data from Australia’s recent Agricultural Census revealed the average age of the nation’s farmers is 56.
The census also reported the average farmer is likely to have been farming for 35 years and be a man growing wheat or raising livestock.
Mr Murray said social trends have had a huge impact.
“It used to be more family oriented, kids had to help parents to keep the farm going,” he said.
“Now often they go off and do their own thing.”
Steve Honner, a 33-year-old farmer from Junee, is a prime example of this, having recently returned to the family farm after 10 years studying and working in Sydney.
He thinks the industry is seeing a “resurgence” of young people as people return home and are instrumental in embracing new technologies.
Mr Honner thinks the industry needs to focus more on consumer demand for sustainable, ethical products.
He suggested the added cost of implementing sustainability measures could be absorbed by a government subsidy.
“We need to be more transparent about farming and spread a positive message about what we do” he said.
