On The Land
9 November, 2025
Confidence high among beef producers
QUEENSLAND beef producers are driving a lift in the state’s rural confidence, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey.
A comprehensive monitor of outlook and sentiment in Australian rural industries, the Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey questions an average of 700 primary producers across a wide range of commodities and geographical areas throughout Australia on a quarterly basis.
The latest survey shows that a combination of favourable seasonal conditions in key beef-producing regions, strong global beef markets and robust local prices are the chief reasons for optimism among Queensland cattle producers.
The survey found an overall lift in confidence levels among Queensland primary producers – with sentiment improving from the previous quarter, rising to a net reading of 10% (previously -2%).
This increase in confidence is driven by 31% of the state’s producers expecting agricultural economic conditions to improve over the next 12 months (up from 24% with that view previously), with 21% expecting conditions to worsen (down from 26%).
Just under half of producers surveyed (47%) predict business conditions will stay the same, unchanged from the previous quarter.
By region, the latest survey found most parts of the state had improved rural confidence, with south-west-based producers reporting the strongest sentiment – jumping up to a net reading of 51% (from 19% last quarter) and none surveyed in the region expecting worsening economic conditions (previously 19%).
By commodity, confidence was shown to have increased in most agricultural sectors in the state, with beef producer sentiment the strongest – at net 21% (from 14% previously), and 38% of those surveyed in the beef sector anticipating improved business conditions in the coming year (up from 31%).
For the state’s sugar sector, the survey found the majority of cane growers were expecting agribusiness conditions to remain unchanged in the year ahead.
“Queensland sugar cane growers are cautiously optimistic, with the 2025 season showing signs of improved production. However, global prices have dipped over recent months creating some concern for the coming year,” Rabobank state manager for Queensland Polly Saraiva said.
The latest Rabobank survey found despite overall optimism among Queensland’s rural producers, investment intentions have eased slightly, with 30% indicating they were intending to invest more in their farm businesses in the year ahead (down from 37% with that intention last survey) and 10% planning to wind back investment (up from 8% previously).
However, 60% of producers planned to maintain on-farm investment at current levels.
Ms Saraiva said the slight softening in investment intentions may reflect Queensland producer concerns about rising costs and the uncertainty of international markets and geopolitics identified in the survey.
“But producers are learning to work with this ‘new normal’ business environment and managing the risks accordingly,” she said.
“Producers generally take a long-term view of their businesses and are prepared to manage these risks and continue to invest in their businesses for future growth, albeit with a slight decrease this quarter.”
The survey found among the investment priorities for Queensland producers, 72% intended to spend on on-farm infrastructure, 42% on new plant/machinery and 44% in the adoption of new technologies.
Appetite to increase livestock numbers has declined this quarter, down slightly to 29% (from 31% previously).
Queensland producers’ income expectations for the year ahead were largely positive, with 37% expecting increased incomes (up from 28% last survey), and 46% expecting their incomes to remain unchanged.
The most robust survey of its type in Australia, the Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has been conducted since 2000 by an independent research organisation. The next results are scheduled for release in December 2025.
