Who Is The Average Farmer?

Who Is the Average Australian Farmer?

A recent survey has provided evidence for what many of us have known instinctively and discussed anecdotally for years: the population of farmers in Australia is ageing. The Agricultural Census for 2015-2016, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has provided some interesting insights into the lives of farmers in this country.

Just How Old is the Average Aussie Farmer?

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian farmers are getting older. Data from the most recent agricultural census has revealed that the average Australian farmer is 56-years old. That’s an increase of two years since the last survey, less than ten years ago, reported 54 as the average age of the Aussie farmer.

How Does This Compare to The Rest of the Aussie Workforce?

Further analysis of the statistics of the most recent survey show that, at an average of 56 years of age, our Aussie farmers are 17 years older than the average Australian worker who is  a comparatively young 39 years old.

How Long Has the Average Aussie Farmer Been on the Land?

This snapshot of Australian agriculture from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also found that the average farmer has been farming for around 35 years, that’s a lot of farming knowledge and experience. Statistically, it is most likely this farmer will be a male and he will be raising livestock, or growing wheat. The report showed that approximately 78 per cent of farmers are male and 22 per cent are female.

How Do Our Farmers Work?

The census shows that agricultural production holdings provide the major source of income for people on the land. The majority of farmers reported that 84 per cent of their farm income is derived from production holdings. Of the remaining 16 percent of income, 12 per cent is drawn from off farm employment and business while 4 per cent comes from other sources such as relief funding.

Are There Any Young Farmers Out There?

According to an investigation conducted by Farmonline, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Fiona Simson believes, ‘there’s great opportunity and potential in Australian agriculture at the moment.’

Simson maintains that the key to keeping young people in rural and regional areas is to open discussions and by doing so to recognise that ‘there’s a lot more to agriculture than owning a farm.’ Many young farmers are attracted to a life on the land because of the entire industry that encompasses food, not just farming.

It seems that although statistically the population of Australian farmers appears to be ageing, many predict that with a broader perspective on what constitutes farming, and what a farmer is, a renewed interest in agricultural life in Australia may develop in the next generation of farmers.

How Are Young Farmers Connecting?

Future Farmers Network (FFN) is a non-profit organisation representing people aged 18 to 35 years who are working in the Australian agricultural sector. The findings of the latest FFN annual survey report that the cost of buying farms, access to capital, and financial literacy are among the main pressures being experienced by young farmers. Despite these limitations, FFN executive director, Toby Locke, maintains that agriculture is definitely an ‘attractive option for young people.’

The popularity of the agricultural sector among young people is reflected by the national Future Farmers Network of more than 20,000 young agriculturalists working around the country. The next generation of farmers are adapting rapidly to consumer trends through connection with social media and the internet. Agricultural technology and agricultural tourism are being incorporated into many farming operations and therefore, according to Locke, ‘it’s a pretty vibrant time to get involved.’

Partnership opportunities, skill development and mentoring are all factors that will contribute to the development of the next generation of farmers in Australia.

Remember that 35 years of experience said to be held by the average Aussie farmer? What a great resource and wealth of knowledge ready to be shared. Exciting times indeed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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