2023 Annual Policy Survey Results
2023 Annual Policy Survey Results
Thank you to the growers who took the time to provide open and honest responses to GrainGrowers’ Annual Policy Survey.
This survey is a significant data collection exercise that takes the pulse of Australian growers and helps GrainGrowers to align strategic planning to these views. In 2023, 626 growers from around Australia took part in the survey, sharing their views on the grains industry, issues impacting their farm businesses and opportunities on the horizon.
GrainGrowers is committed to putting this feedback into action and focusing on providing tangible outcomes that benefit the future grains industry.
Summary of Findings
Top Industry Issues
Farm inputs was identified as the biggest issue growers face, with 97% of challenges falling under this category
Grains Industry Outlook
In 2023, more growers nominated drought, climate variability and rising interest rates as reasons why the grains industry could worsen, compared to 2022.
Opportunities for Innovation
Growers also indicated a strong appetite for technological weed spraying, innovations to soil health and new plant varieties.
Positive Grower Sentiment
Positive sentiment in 2023 was largely driven by improved technology, efficiencies and productivity gains.
Compared to last year, more growers nominated drought, rising interest rates, climate variability and falling or low commodity prices as reasons why the industry could worsen over the coming year.
Around 1 in 3 growers said their grains business is in an expansionary phase, with 22% planning to increase cropping area significantly or marginally. The main driver of these intentions was more land availability and increased revenue.
Growers also indicated that they wanted to see:
- Fuel Tax Credits maintained
- Improved road, rail and port infrastructure
- Domestic manufacturing of critical farm inputs
- Diversified markets for Australian grains
Full Survey Results
Around 1 in 3 growers said their grains business is in an expansionary phase, with 22% planning to increase cropping area significantly or marginally. The main driver of these intentions was more land availability and increased revenue.
The full survey results cover cropping intentions, business phases, and how growers expect the industry to perform.
Utilising findings from the Annual Policy Survey
GrainGrowers believes that there is a great deal of work to be done in improving cost and availability of farm inputs for growers, as well as addressing other top concerns outlined in this survey.
Grower voices from this survey will be used to guide the work GrainGrowers is doing in this space, such as influencing key decision-makers, looking at alternative innovations and providing key information about the state of farm inputs in Australia.
While the priority issues identified in these survey results showcase a variety of issues impacting growers around Australia, it also showcases widespread interest in adopting new technologies and optimism for a bright future for grains.
Using the findings from this survey, as well as feedback from our National Policy Group, GrainGrowers is working across these priority themes to achieve outcomes for growers that support their profitability and sustainability on farm.
GrainGrowers is working across these priority themes:
2022 Annual Policy Survey
View results from GrainGrowers' 2022 Annual Policy Survey