Farming survey: Farmers’ optimism falls about the future of industry

The percentage of farmers who are very optimistic about the future of the industry continues to fall, with just one fifth of respondents expressing full confidence.

While overall levels of optimism have rebounded this year to the same extent as two years ago, at 72%, just 20% said they were very optimistic versus 52% who said they were slightly optimistic.

Five years ago, 38% of farmers polled said they were very optimistic about the future. Nevertheless, almost three quarters of those polled this year expressed some level of optimism, versus 15% who expressed any pessimism.