Category: News

Australian farmers are facing overwhelming pressure. They shouldn’t have to face this alone.

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Australian farmers are facing mounting pressure as drought, fires, floods and rising costs continue to impact communities across the country.

Rural Aid is calling on Australians to stand with farmers and their families, as many continue to recover from recent disasters while managing the rising cost of keeping their farms running.
 
Drought, fires, floods and cyclones have hit farming regions in quick succession, leaving many communities still recovering while preparing for what comes next. At the same time, soaring costs for essential inputs like diesel and fertiliser are making it harder to maintain day-to-day operations.
 
This is no longer a single difficult season. It is a period of compounding pressure, where multiple challenges are being felt at once. For many farmers, that means managing recovery, rising costs and uncertainty at the same time, with limited capacity to absorb further shocks. Without support, many farmers will continue to face increasing pressure, placing further strain on their livelihoods and the future of their farms.
 
Rural Aid’s latest Pulse of the Paddock data reflects this, with financial strain, climate variability and rising costs continuing to shape daily life on the land. More farmers reported a decline in their mental health over the past 12 months than those who saw improvement.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said farmers are facing multiple pressures at the same time, with little separation between recovery and ongoing operations.
 
“Farmers are dealing with disaster recovery, rising costs and ongoing uncertainty all at once,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“These pressures are not isolated. They are overlapping, and that is what is causing concern for our farmers’ wellbeing across many regions.”
 
“Rural Aid is here to help, but we can’t do it alone. Now is the time for Australians to come together to give our farmers and their families the urgent boost they need right now. A donation today will help to provide vital support such as professional counselling, financial assistance, hay, water and water tanks.”
 
In Victoria’s west, Natimuk farmer Michael Sudholz is among those rebuilding after fires moved through his community earlier this year.
 
“It happened so fast. Within half an hour everything had changed,” Mr Sudholz said.
 
“You don’t really understand the scale of it until you are living through the recovery. It takes a long time to work through what has been lost.”
 
His experience reflects a broader reality across farming communities, where recovery is ongoing and often sits alongside everyday operational pressures.
 
Rural Aid’s work is centred on standing alongside farming communities through hardship and uncertainty, providing support that is timely, practical and focused on long-term recovery as well as immediate need.
 
Mr Warlters said this urgent appeal for donations is about ensuring that the right assistance at the right time is available for our farmers and their families.
 
“We know farmers are strong, but they shouldn’t have to carry everything on their own,” he said. “With so many farmers in need, your support is critical to ensure we can provide the help needed to get them through.”
 
Make a tax-deductible donation today to help provide the support our farmers need: www.taxtime.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

Media note:
Rural Aid welcomes media interest in the launch of its 2026 Tax Appeal and is available to support feature coverage on the impact of ongoing disasters, rising input costs and the realities facing farming communities across Australia.

We are keen to work with media partners to bring these stories to life, including facilitating farmer interviews, providing access to case studies, and assisting with on-farm filming where appropriate.

Media outlets interested in developing feature stories or arranging interviews are encouraged to get in touch.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Mice on the move: Rural Aid stands ready to support impacted farmers

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Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across South Australia and Western Australia to seek support as worsening mouse activity threatens crops, livestock feed, and farm infrastructure.

Recent forecasts from the CSIRO indicate high mice populations across southern South Australia, moderate levels in south-west Western Australia, and lower – but still present – activity across parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The warning follows the devastating 2020–2021 mouse plague in eastern Australia, which caused an estimated $1 billion in damage.

Mice infestations can have severe impacts on farming operations, including consuming newly planted seeds, destroying emerging crops, contaminating livestock feed, and damaging machinery, vehicles, and household wiring.

With conditions expected to remain challenging, Rural Aid is reminding primary producers that support is available and encouraging those affected to get in touch early.

Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the emerging situation is deeply concerning.

“Mouse activity of this scale can escalate quickly and place enormous pressure on farming families,” Mr Warlters said. “We’ve seen firsthand the destruction these plagues can cause. We want farmers to know they’re not alone – support is available, and we encourage anyone impacted to reach out as soon as possible.”

Rural Aid provides a broad range of services at no cost to farmers, including:

  • Financial assistance for immediate or unexpected expenses
  • Professional counselling and wellbeing support for farmers and their families
  • Hay deliveries for livestock during challenging periods
  • Water deliveries for drinking and household needs
  • Volunteer support through the Farm Army and Farm Recovery Event programs to assist with on-ground needs

Assistance is available now for farmers. Call 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. We’re here to help.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Mounting global uncertainty driving increasing mental health concern in rural Australia

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Rural Aid is warning of rapidly escalating mental health pressures on Australian farmers, their families, and rural communities as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global fuel and fertiliser supplies.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing instability have driven sharp increases in the cost, and in some cases the availability, of diesel and fertiliser, placing enormous strain on farming operations already under pressure.
 
For many farmers, it’s not just the rising costs, it’s the complete uncertainty around how long these conditions will last.
 
Rural Aid Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, said the unpredictability is one of the most damaging aspects.
 
“What we’re hearing is a level of stress that comes from not knowing where the ceiling is. Prices are rising, conditions are tightening, and there’s no clear end point. Farmers are being asked to make huge financial decisions in the dark.”
 
“Putting a crop in the ground right now can mean tens of thousands of dollars in upfront costs. When fuel and fertiliser prices are this volatile, that decision becomes incredibly confronting.”
 
These pressures are building at a time of significant climate vulnerability. An El Niño pattern is forecast to bring months of minimal rainfall, extending drought conditions across large parts of the country. Many farmers are also still recovering from a destructive summer of bushfires, cyclones and severe storms.
 
The combined weight of these challenges is being felt deeply across rural Australia.
 
“It’s not one issue, it’s everything coming at once. Financial pressure, seasonal uncertainty, recovery from disasters, and now global instability. It’s relentless, and it wears people down.”
 
Rising fuel costs are also driving a growing sense of isolation in rural communities. Everyday activities that once provided connection and support are increasingly out of reach.
“We’re hearing from families who are thinking twice about every single trip, whether it’s going into town, seeing friends, or picking kids up from boarding school. Fuel isn’t just a line item anymore, it’s shaping people’s lives.”
 
“When those connections start to fall away, people can become very isolated very quickly, and that has serious implications for mental health.”
 
Entire communities are also feeling the impact. Winter tourism, particularly from caravanners, is a vital source of income and social connection for many regional towns. With fuel prices surging, cancellations are already affecting local businesses and community morale.
 
“When the visitors stop coming, towns feel it immediately. There’s less activity, less energy, and less opportunity for people to connect. That has a ripple effect well beyond the economy.”
 
Rural Aid is urging farmers and rural community members not to face these pressures alone.
 
“We know people are carrying a lot right now. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, but it’s an important one. There are people ready to listen and help.”
 
Rural Aid provides confidential mental health and wellbeing support, with qualified counsellors based in every state at no cost to farmers. Counsellors can travel directly to farmers or provide support over the phone, removing the need for costly travel.
 
Farmers and their families can access support by calling Rural Aid on 1300 175 594 or visiting www.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Helping Central Coast farmers rebuild: Rural Aid heads to Mangrove Mountain

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Rural Aid is calling on Central Coast primary producers and volunteers to take part in its upcoming Farm Recovery Event (FRE) at Mangrove Mountain, running from 26 April to 1 May, as the region continues to rebuild following the devastating 2022 floods.

The week-long event will deliver hands-on, practical support to farming families still facing the long road to recovery. Volunteers from across Australia will work to restore damaged infrastructure, general farm repair work, and provide much-needed assistance for those who have faced challenging times.
 
From fencing and repairs to property clean-ups, gardening and general maintenance, the work completed during these events plays a vital role in helping farmers regain momentum after a disaster.
 
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the Mangrove Mountain event highlights the importance of ongoing recovery support for regional communities.
 
“Recovery doesn’t end when the floodwaters recede. For many farmers, the impacts are long-term and deeply felt across their businesses and personal wellbeing,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“These Farm Recovery Events are about more than just practical help – they’re about showing farmers they’re not alone, and that there are people willing to roll up their sleeves and support them.”
 
Support available for all primary producers
 
Rural Aid is encouraging all primary producers in the Mangrove Mountain and broader Central Coast region to reach out for support, emphasising that assistance is not limited to traditional farming sectors.
 
“Our support extends to all primary producers – whether you’re involved in livestock, poultry, horticulture, apiculture, aquaculture, or other agricultural industries,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“We encourage you to get in touch, we’re here to help. These events are designed to meet the diverse needs of regional communities.”
 
Primary producers who could use a helping hand can contact Rural Aid on 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au.
 
Volunteers needed for Mangrove Mountain recovery effort
 
At the same time, Rural Aid is calling for volunteers to join the Mangrove Mountain FRE. Located just over an hour from Sydney, the event offers a meaningful opportunity for individuals, families and groups to make a tangible difference in the lives of farming communities.
 
No prior experience is required, with volunteers of all skill levels welcomed.
 
Rural Aid volunteer Gaylene Ingram, who recently took part in a Farm Recovery Event in bushfire-affected Natimuk, Victoria, said the experience was both practical and deeply rewarding.
 
“We cleaned up around the house yard, cleared trees, fixed steps on the shearing shed and even repaired guttering – jobs the farmer often doesn’t have time to get to,” Ms Ingram said.
 
“Our team had a mix of skills, from farming to roofing and plumbing, and everyone just pitched in wherever they could.”
 
“It’s been a very rewarding experience. The volunteers are amazing people and it feels so good to give back to a community that’s had a disaster.”
 
Farmer Michael Sudholz, who received support during the Natimuk event, said the assistance made a real difference during a challenging time.
 
“It’s the sort of help you just can’t get to on your own when everything else is going on,” Mr Sudholz said.
 
For more information about volunteering or to sign up today, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

Media note:
Rural Aid representatives will be on site at the Mangrove Mountain Farm Recovery Event and available to assist media with coordinating interviews with volunteers and farmers. Vision and imagery from the event will also be made available.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Drought intensifies across eastern Australia in “perfect storm” of rising costs and dry conditions

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Rural Aid is warning a rapidly intensifying drought across New South Wales and southern and western Queensland is creating a “perfect storm” for farmers, with dry conditions now colliding with soaring fuel and fertiliser costs to place unprecedented pressure on farming businesses. With conditions expected to worsen under an emerging El Niño, many farmers are facing months without meaningful rainfall while costs continue to climb.

New modelling from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) shows drought conditions are expected to persist across the Riverina and Murray, while expanding across the Hunter, South East, North West and Northern Tablelands heading into winter.
 
With El Niño forecast to bring hotter, drier conditions, Rural Aid says many regions could face months without meaningful rainfall, placing enormous pressure on farming communities.
 
Drought by the numbers
 
The scale of the drought is already alarming:

  • Around 45 per cent of New South Wales is currently classified as drought affected, according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries Combined Drought Indicator
  • Large areas of NSW are experiencing rainfall deficiencies in the lowest 5–10 per cent of historical records, based on Bureau of Meteorology rainfall data used in DPI modelling
  • Soil moisture conditions are extremely low across key cropping and grazing regions, with DPI indicators showing widespread “below average to extremely low” profiles limiting pasture and crop growth
  • Reduced catchment inflows and falling on-farm water reserves are increasing pressure on already strained water security across drought-affected regions

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the data only tells part of the story.
 
“This drought is hitting hard. There’s no feed in the paddocks, very little moisture in the soil, and farmers are under real pressure just to keep going, with the outlook offering little relief,” Mr Warlters said.
 
Record livestock sell-offs and abandoned crops
 
The deteriorating seasonal conditions are forcing farmers into drastic action, with saleyards reporting record or near-record yardings of cattle and sheep across parts of NSW and Queensland.
 
“We are seeing a surge in livestock hitting the market as farmers are left with no choice but to reduce stock numbers,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“For many, this isn’t a business decision – it’s a survival decision.”
 
Rural Aid is also hearing from grain growers making the difficult call not to plant at all this season.
 
“We’re now hearing from farmers who have decided not to sow crops this year – and that’s a huge red flag,” Mr Warlters said. “Less planting now means less food coming through the system, and that eventually flows through to supermarket shelves.”
 
“High fertiliser costs and dry soils are both playing a major role, and when you add the poor rainfall outlook, farmers are being forced into really hard decisions about whether they can even go ahead and plant,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“When farmers are stepping back from planting, it’s a sign of real pressure in the system, and the effects flow through production, income and regional communities well beyond the farm gate,” Mr Warlters said.
 
Soaring fuel and fertiliser costs deepening the crisis
 
Rural Aid says the drought is being compounded by sharp rises in key farm inputs.
 
Fertiliser prices have risen sharply amid ongoing disruption to global supply chains linked to the conflict in the Middle East and restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Urea, a key input for cropping, has moved from around $850 per tonne earlier in the season to above $1,300 per tonne in periods of tight supply.
 
Fuel costs also remain significantly elevated, increasing the cost of transporting feed, water and livestock
 
“Farmers are being squeezed from every direction – less rain, higher costs, and shrinking income,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“When you combine drought with rising fuel and fertiliser prices, it creates a perfect storm financially.”
 
In Dubbo in central west NSW, mixed cattle and cropping farmer Barry Wheeler says the challenges facing farmers are mounting.
 
“It’s pressure from every direction at the moment,” Mr Wheeler said. “Diesel and fertiliser are still very expensive, and there’s just no let-up in the cost of running a farm.”
 
“Soil moisture is very poor, which makes dry seeding a real risk. You’re basically gambling on rain that isn’t showing up, and that’s a hard call to make when you’ve already got so much on the line.”
 
“Running stock is getting harder every week. There’s not enough feed in the paddocks, hay is expensive, and then you’ve got transport costs on top of that just to bring feed in.”
 
“Interest rates going up just adds another layer. Every part of the business is under pressure – inputs, feed, finance, everything.”
 
“One of these things on its own, you can usually manage. But when it’s all happening at once like this – drought, costs, interest rates – it makes farming feel almost impossible.”
 
Mental health concerns rising
 
Rural Aid says the human toll of the drought and compounding pressure of high costs, cannot be overlooked, with growing concern about the mental health impacts on farming families.
 
“Drought is not just an environmental or economic issue – it’s a human one,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“We are hearing from farmers who are exhausted, overwhelmed and under immense pressure. The mental health impacts of prolonged drought are very real and very serious.”
 
Rural Aid ready to support farmers
 
Rural Aid provides a range of practical and wellbeing support services for farmers at no cost, including:

  • Financial assistance to help cover urgent or unexpected costs
  • Counselling and mental health support for farmers and their families
  • Emergency hay deliveries to support livestock
  • Water deliveries for essential household use
  • On-ground help through the Farm Army and Farm Recovery Event programs, assisting with clean-up and rebuilding

Farmers seeking support can call 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. Rural Aid is ready to help.
 
“No farmer should feel like they have to face this alone,” Mr Warlters said.
 
Australians urged to act
 
With conditions expected to worsen in coming months, Rural Aid is calling on Australians to support farmers in need.
 
“The drought is deepening, fuel and fertiliser prices aren’t easing, and these compounding challenges are taking an enormous toll on farmers. More than ever, Australians are being called on to stand by our farmers,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Every donation helps Rural Aid deliver critical, on-the-ground assistance – whether that’s hay for livestock, domestic water for the family, or counselling support for a farmer who is facing difficult challenges.”
 
To show your support and donate today, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au