NSW Farmers Face Climate Extremes and Policy Uncertainty Heading into 2026

After a year of drought, flooding and limited summer rainfall, New South Wales farmers are entering 2026 facing continued seasonal pressure and policy uncertainty.

Speaking on the Country Viewpoint on FlowFM, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said 2025 had been marked by extreme and contrasting weather conditions across the state.

“It was a season of extremes,” Mr Martin said.

“We saw drought expanding through the south and west, while earlier flooding affected the north-east. There really wasn’t a ‘Goldilocks zone’ through the middle of the state.”

Water security remains a priority as farmers manage the impacts of the past year, particularly with patchy summer rainfall so far.

“Access to clean, secure water is essential — not just for crops and livestock, but for firefighting and native animals as well,” he said.

Policy uncertainty is also weighing on farmers, including the acquisition of agricultural land for conversion to national parks.

Mr Martin said members were concerned about the long-term implications for food production and land management.

Proposed changes to firearms regulations, announced following the Bondi tragedy, are another key concern for the industry at the moment.

Mr Martin said firearms are an essential tool for pest control and livestock protection, and warned that rushed reforms risk being impractical.

“There’s a disconnect between policymakers and how farming actually works,” he said.

“Restrictions that don’t reflect on-farm realities could actually increase risk.”

NSWFarmers is calling for any review of firearms laws to examine broader drivers of violence and procedural failures, rather than focusing solely on regulatory tightening.

Bushfires continue to affect parts of southern NSW and Victoria, with farmers remaining central to volunteer firefighting efforts.

“Our members are on the front line,” Mr Martin said.

“They’ve been warning for years about fuel loads and public land management. When fires break out, farmers are ready to respond - because quick action saves lives and land.”

As 2026 unfolds, Mr Martin said NSWFarmers will continue advocating for practical, evidence-based policies to support resilient rural communities and ongoing food and fibre production.