Tasmanian farmers are the most confident in the nation, following good seasonal conditions for most sectors.
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The Rabobank rural confidence survey released its latest data for Tasmania this week, showing good seasonal conditions buoyed the state despite the rumblings of the pandemic.
Rabobank regional manager for Tasmania Stuart Whatling said the results showed that "it's as good as it gets" for the state's farming sector.
"We've had a beautifully mild summer in Tasmania, with solid rainfall across all agricultural regions," he said.
"There's been great haymaking over the summer, and livestock are in excellent condition.
"Some crops are a bit slower to finish off because the temperatures haven't been high, but the conditions otherwise have been extremely favourable, on top of excellent commodity prices."
A mild, wet summer, combined with excellent returns in most commodities and favourable business incentives, had paid off.
However, it's Tasmania's dairy farmers leading the optimism charge, with the report showing the sector the most confident in the state.
Twenty-seven per cent of Tasmanian dairy producers anticipated improved prospects, and the remaining 73 per cent expected last year's good conditions to continue this year.
"Dairy farmers are enjoying good seasons, there is an abundance of feed going into autumn, grain prices are lower this year, milk prices are solid and there are strong prices forecast going into next year," Mr Whatling said.
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Concerns about market volatility due to COVID-19 had mostly eased, Mr Whatling said, adding many farmers had worked to diversify their enterprises over recent years, which was paying off during periods of market uncertainty.
But, he said, there were still some lingering workforce challenges as the state's horticultural producers move into autumn/winter picking.
"The worst of the challenge has eased, but workforce and labour constraints are still present for some businesses."
Rabobank completed this quarter's Rural Confidence Survey last month.
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