29 September 2026
Improved seasonal conditions across much of southern NSW are providing some breathing room for producers, but financial pressure, uncertainty and wellbeing remain firmly in focus.
On 3 September, we brought together 29 people for our latest Understanding Producer Pressures roundtable. Participants included agribusiness bankers, agronomists, farm business consultants, RAMHP and Rural Financial Counselling Service counsellors, NSW and Australian Government representatives, and NSW Drought Coordinator Ray Willis.
The session was designed to build a shared picture of what producers are experiencing now, and what has changed since the previous discussion in May. Perspectives from across industry, advisory services, finance, agronomy, counselling organisations and government helped create a more complete view of the pressures influencing producer decisions.
While strong winter rainfall has significantly improved conditions across the Riverina, Murray and southern regions, the picture remains uneven. Parts of the South Coast, Monaro and north-eastern NSW continue to experience below-average conditions, while concerns about water security remain in some areas. Participants also discussed the risk that warmer conditions could rapidly draw down soil moisture heading into spring, alongside uncertainty around rainfall and late frost risk.
Importantly, better seasonal conditions have not necessarily translated into greater confidence.
High fertiliser, fuel and crop protection costs continue to squeeze margins, with participants reporting that some farm businesses are operating at or below break-even despite improved production conditions. Seasonal and market volatility are also making investment decisions harder, while lenders are applying closer scrutiny to business performance and risk exposure. Across both cropping and livestock enterprises, participants observed greater hesitation around proactive spending and risk-management decisions.
Mental health and wellbeing were another strong theme. Participants noted that recovery for individuals and communities can lag well behind improvements in seasonal conditions, particularly where producers are carrying the cumulative effects of drought, frost events, financial pressure and uncertainty. Trusted advisers and locally delivered services were seen as especially important in helping producers access support early.
The value of bringing those different perspectives together was also reflected in post-event feedback. Respondents rated the session an average 9.3 out of 10 for improving their understanding of the pressures facing producers. All respondents said they planned to share learnings with their teams or networks, while others identified further training, information gathering and stronger collaboration with relevant organisations as next steps.
One respondent described the cross-sector exchange as particularly valuable because it provided a broader industry perspective beyond their own area of work, while another highlighted the usefulness of the seasonal update and regional maps.
The group will reconvene in mid-October, continuing to track how seasonal, financial and wellbeing pressures are changing and where greater coordination or support may be needed.
