What are top producers doing differently in 2025?
Each year, AgriWebb’s State of the Farmer report offers a snapshot of what’s really happening inside the farm gate. And in 2025, the picture is clear: top livestock producers aren’t chasing shiny trends, they’re doubling down on the basics that drive resilience and results.
So what’s changed? Not much, and that’s the point.
Productivity, efficiency, and grazing still lead the charge
For the second year in a row, the top three priorities for producers across Australia (and globally) are:
- Maximising profitability
- Increasing herd and operational efficiency
- Optimising grazing strategies
These core priorities haven’t shifted year on year. In Australia specifically, 54% of producers said boosting productivity is their top priority, while 38.5% are unsurprisingly focused on tightening operations and costs. Nearly one-third are actively improving their grazing plans, a clear sign that smarter pasture management is viewed as a strategic advantage.
This commitment to the fundamentals suggests we’re entering a period of stabilisation, a “wait and see” year for major shifts, where producers are holding steady and building resilience rather than radically changing course.
Managing risk, not just reacting
Australian farmers are also adjusting their planning mindset in light of the extreme weather events experienced across the nation in the last 12 months. This year’s report showed that 63% of Aussie respondents expressed concern about extreme weather events impacting their business.
The report exemplified this, showing that in the last 12 months there has been an increase in investment in the following areas:
- Water infrastructure
- Biodiversity and tree planting
- Grazing tools that optimise every paddock and pasture day
As one of our survey respondents called out, “it’s not just about bouncing back, it’s about being better prepared next time.”
Top concerns: biosecurity, input costs, and succession
When asked about their biggest concerns heading into 2025, Australian producers pointed to three key areas:
- Biosecurity: nearly 70% of producers are concerned about disease threats, citing issues like the global spread of foot-and-mouth disease and local outbreaks such as Varroa mite.
- Rising input costs: feed, fertiliser, and fuel remain a financial squeeze, with over 40% citing these costs as a major concern.
- Succession planning: with ongoing uncertainty about the future of family farms, nearly half of Australian respondents are worried about who will take over the reins.
What does this all mean? The top producers aren’t waiting for change, they’re building businesses that can sustain it. They’re investing in the systems, people, and practices that deliver day-to-day efficiency and long-term viability.
Curious what else they’re doing?
Explore the full 2025 State of the Farmer Report to see how producers like you are adapting and thriving in this unpredictable time.
