It's rare to find a farmer willing to leave their farm at this time of year, when preparations are in full swing for the winter harvest and summer plantings, but 2000 farmers from across Australia left their paddocks on September 10 to gather at Parliament House in Canberra and the Australian Farmers team was there to see it firsthand.
This was no small feat, with farmers travelling thousands of kilometres to attend. Some came from Western Australia, others from the Top End near Darwin or as far south as Port Lincoln in South Australia. Then there was the MC Gillian Fennell, who drove 500km from her cattle station in outback South Australia to catch a plane from Alice Springs to Sydney, then another onto Canberra.
What made the event even more significant was the fact it was the first time in four decades Australia's peak farm body, the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), backed a rally, the last being a gathering of about 45,000 farmers in 1985.
Why were farmers rallying
This historic event originally began as a #KeeptheSheep rally, organised by the producers, shearers, truckdrivers and rural communities in Western Australian who will be devastated by the live sheep export ban.
However, with a growing list of pressures on Australian farmers and the need for greater recognition and understanding from policymakers and the public alike, the rally was expanded to include other issues.
In recent years, farmers have felt increasingly sidelined as activist groups push for policies that threaten the viability of their businesses. These policies, driven by people often far removed from farming realities, include banning live sheep exports, reduced water access, increased taxes, and new regulatory hurdles.
As NFF President David Jochinke explains, the farming community is simply asking for fairness.
"We want forward-thinking solutions that will allow Australian agriculture to thrive, not ideological battles driven by out-of-touch activists and detractors who would like to see less food and fibre grown in Australia.
"These groups often push agendas that would undermine our ability to feed and clothe the nation, without understanding the realities of farming or the vital role we play in the economy and regional communities."
Not your regular protest
The rally was more than just a protest; it was a heartfelt plea for understanding - and a friendly one at that.
Unlike the protests that usually make the news, there was no yelling or people chaining themselves to things. Rather the vibe was more like a family-friendly festival, with farming families, live music by Sam + Sam, food trucks and, of course, speeches from farmers from across the country.
While it was a friendly atmosphere, these farmers made it clear they have had enough of anti-farming voices having an increasing amount of influence over regulations that impact farmers' livelihoods. These policies have far-reaching effects. Water buybacks, for instance, threaten the food production in the Murray Darling Basin, while unnecessary red tape around emissions reporting increases costs and complexity, particularly for smaller family-run farms.
The issues raised at the rally have wide-reaching consequences beyond the farmgate. As farmers highlighted, when agriculture suffers, rural communities and local economies feel the pinch. Western Australian farmer John Hassell highlighted this point with the banning of the live sheep trade.
"It's about communities. It's not about me as a farmer, I'll change my enterprise mix, I will survive, but my community will not survive. It's about our schools, it's about our footy teams, it's about the businesses in town, it's about our IGAs. Sadly, I expect 30-40 communities in Western Australia will be savagely affected by this legislation."
The NFF believes that the policies shaped in Canberra need to reflect the realities of farming life and urges lawmakers to consult directly with those most affected.
"When farmers thrive, the nation prospers. We are the backbone of food security, the lifeblood of regional communities, and a driving force in the national economy," Mr Jochinke explained. "Support for Australian agriculture is an investment in our shared future, and a rejection of those who would see our industry diminished."
Farmers left the rally hopeful their collective action sent a clear message: Australia's farmers deserve a seat at the table, and their contributions to the nation's prosperity must be valued. As Mr Jochinke put it - a sentiment echoed fervently by the crowd: "No farmers, no food."
Want to know more about the rally? You can watch the recording here and sign the petition here. You can also show your support for farmers on National Agriculture Day on Friday, 15 November.
