Farmers and rural landholders across Central West New South Wales are invited to share their views in a major national survey investigating how farmers manage their land, make decisions, and respond to changing seasonal and economic conditions.
More than 2,000 surveys will be mailed to rural landholders in early December 2025, as part of the Soil CRC’s national Social Benchmarking Study led by Associate Professor Hanabeth Luke of Murdoch University, in partnership with Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) and Central West Local Land Services.
The purpose of the survey is to uncover new farming trends and changes that have occurred since the region got involved in the study four years ago. The findings will help local partners understand what matters most to landholders and guide future engagement, research and investment.
“This survey is an important opportunity to hear directly from the landholders who are managing the Central West’s productive landscapes every day,” Associate Professor Luke said.
“Our previous results have shown that Central West NSW farmers are highly innovative, data-driven and deeply aware of the risks posed by changing weather patterns and seasonal variability.
“By running the survey again, we can identify what has changed, what support is most needed, and how regional organisations can better tailor their services.”
CWFS CEO Diana Fear said the organisation is proud to support a project that puts landholder voices at the centre.
“Growers across the Central West are constantly adapting, trialling new approaches and planning for resilience. Understanding their priorities helps ensure that research, extension and on-ground programs genuinely respond to what farmers need.”
Central West Local Land Services Sustainable Agriculture Team Leader, Neroli Brennan, agreed the insights will be invaluable.
“Having clear, regionally specific data helps us target investment and deliver support that aligns with landholder goals, whether that’s soil health, grazing management or long-term business resilience,” Neroli said.
The survey asks landholders about their farming practices, key challenges, sources of information, and the values that underpin their decision-making. Associate Professor Luke encourages all rural landholders who receive the survey to complete it.
“Your input goes directly to the organisations working to support you,” she said.
“If you want to have a say in the decisions shaping agriculture and natural resource management in the Central West, this is a simple and powerful way to contribute.”
Survey details for Central West NSW landholders
In a few weeks, survey booklets will be mailed to a random sample of rural landholders across the region. Notices have already arrived to allow landholders to complete their survey online, or opt out if they wish.
Each notice includes a unique serial number that allows researchers to link responses to local soil and weather data. No individual property or landholder will ever be identifiable in reporting.
Landholders who do not receive a paper notice are still encouraged to participate by completing the survey online via the Soil CRC’s website.
For more information, contact Associate Professor Hanabeth Luke on 08 9360 7472 or Hanabeth.Luke@murdoch.edu.au.
About the Social Benchmarking Study
This survey is part of the Soil CRC’s national effort to deliver landholder surveys across six major farming regions, including the Central West NSW, Western Australian Wheatbelt and South-West, South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, all of Tasmania, and two major Victorian catchment areas.
The project is building a national dataset to better understand landholder needs, support evidence-based policy, and strengthen the resilience of Australian farming systems. To date, around 4,500 landholders across Australia have taken part.
Reports from earlier survey rounds can be viewed on the Soil CRC website: https://soilcrc.com.au/resources/surveying-farm-practices/