How to Manage Risks as a First-Time Farmer

With the gross value of Australian agricultural production set to rise in the coming years, there are many drawcards attracting first-time Australian farmers to a fruitful and financially rewarding career in agriculture.

But becoming a farmer is not without risks, and choosing to make one’s living off the land requires us to consider how to mitigate them. From being at the mercy of Australia’s climate, facing challenges like droughts, flooding and fires, to the ever-present threat of pests destroying crops and livelihood, as well as navigating life-threatening safety hazards in the daily operation of the farm, this profession is certainly not for the weak.

If you’re committed to the idea of a foray into farming despite this, stay with us as we take you through our guide to managing these risks as a first-time farmer.

Climate Risks: Storms, Hail, and Bushfires

As a farmer, your profession really is in the hands of the land. Yes, you are quite literally at the mercy of the often harsh Australian climate, where both ends of the spectrum present risks: scorching heat and reduced rainfall causing droughts and bushfires in the hot summer months, and on the flipside, severe storms, hail and flooding when the rains do eventually come.

One way to mitigate the inevitable risk of crop damage due to climate challenges is to ensure you are adequately insured. It’s wise to purchase crop hail insurance, as well as insuring yourself against other elements of incremental weather that can be expected to occur throughout the year.

Pest Infestations: Locust Swarms and Other Critters

The harsh reality is that Aussie farmers live in fear of swarms of pests invading and destroying the crops they work so hard to produce. In 2025, Australian farms have been overrun by locust swarms, while in previous years, massive infestations of grasshoppers have swept through, leaving devastation in their wake.

How to mitigate the risk of crop damage from pests? Drastic measures have been taken: the Australian government has invested millions in aerial and ground spraying of pesticides to rid Aussie farms of these devastating swarms of insects.

Safety Hazards: Chemical Exposure or Equipment Malfunction

Finally, the day-to-day of running a farm itself can be risky. There are many hazards on Australian farms that farmers can expect to be exposed to daily. Some of these include;

Chemical Exposure

Daily exposure to the harsh chemicals required to operate their farms can be damaging to the health of Aussie farmers. After prolonged exposure to these chemicals, it’s not uncommon for farmers to experience skin irritations or dermatitis, even chemical burns. Their respiratory systems can also become irritated by inhaling chemical fumes, and they are also at risk of chemical poisoning.

To offset this, first-time farmers are advised to employ chemical safety measures such as wearing and using protective equipment, avoiding excessive chemical exposure where possible, and learning essential first aid skills.

Equipment Malfunction

The truth is that when using machinery to perform their daily functions, as the majority of farmers do, there is the potential for dangerous equipment malfunctions. Instances of harm can occur when utilising farm machinery and vehicles such as tractors, sprayers and harvesters.

To stay as safe as possible, it’s recommended that first-time farmers learn and employ safe usage of all machinery required to perform their roles and remain vigilant when utilising this equipment.

Physical Injuries

It’s common for farmers on remote rural properties to be geographically isolated, which means that if they do become injured, it can be challenging for them to receive the immediate medical treatment they require.

For this reason, first aid training is critical for anyone aspiring to work on the land.

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With all of the risks farmers are presented with: climate challenges, pest infestations, as well as the risk of injury and chemical exposure, it’s surprising how many Australians are choosing to follow this career path.

But the truth is that if all goes well, the rewards of farming can be fruitful, and the realm of Australian agricultural production is only set to continue to grow into the future.