Originally published: Beef Central, 25 August 2026
As increased fuel, fertiliser and freight costs continue to place mounting pressure on Australian agriculture – alongside repeated natural disasters and growing global instability – a new report has revealed the escalating human toll facing the farmers behind Australia’s food supply.
New findings from the 2026 Norco National Farmer Wellbeing Report*, in partnership with the Black Dog Institute, show farmers are experiencing sustained levels of stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion, with many now questioning their future in the industry.
The findings point to a worsening mental health landscape across Australian agriculture, with several major indicators increasing over the past three years.
More than half of farmers (54 percent) report feeling depressed or down in the past two years, almost a quarter (24pc) often or always feeling anxious, and one in three farmers (33pc) say their mental health has deteriorated over the past 12 months.
Research was conducted by Pureprofile on behalf of Norco between October 2025 and March 2026. The research surveyed 1,017 Australian farmers aged 18+ with representation from all states and territories across Australia, as well as a cross section of farming sectors
