Farmers across Victoria are looking to 2018 with optimism with strong positive sentiment reported across all agri sectors, and sheep and dairy in particular.
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The latest Rabobank’s Rural Confidence Survey found Victoria has retained its position of having the highest rural confidence levels in the nation for the third consecutive quarter.
Buoyed by both commodity prices and seasonal conditions, eight out of 10 Victorian farmers are anticipating higher or stable gross farm incomes in the coming year.
Rabobank spokesman Hamish McAlpin said the positive sentiment was largely due to late winter rains and timely follow-up rainfall.
Farmers in the south west and the Wimmera/Mallee regions were the most upbeat about seasonal conditions.
Sheep producers were the most bullish about their prospects, Mr McAlpin said.
“Lamb prices have been strong for a number of years now, while wool prices continue to hit new records,” he said.
In the beef sector, confidence levels were also strong and well-up on the previous quarter, Mr McAlpin said.
