Welcome note
RICHARD KLIPIN Chief Executive Officer, NIBA
JULIE MITCHELL Chief General Manager, Personal Injury & Commercial
Farming the future In an increasingly complex and advanced world, risk management is of paramount importance.
Farming is foundational to Australia, economically, socially and culturally. For as long as farms have existed, resilience has been part of the job description, with seasonal volatility and extreme weather an ever-present reality. The scale of the sector underscores why this matters. Around 70% of what is produced on Australian farms is exported, contributing more than $80 billion to the national economy in 2024-25. When disruption occurs on a farm, its impact rarely stops at the farm gate. Out of necessity, over the years, farmers have become highly capable risk managers. For brokers, that creates both opportunity and responsibility. The value you bring extends well beyond policy placement – but it depends on a genuine understanding of the nuances of agricultural operations and the people behind them. From the outside, farming may appear to evolve steadily. In reality, the past decade has reshaped its risk landscape considerably. Technology, artificial intelligence, diversification pressures and regulatory change have altered risk in ways that demand deeper advisory conversations.
The long-term future of the farm is also shifting. While generational succession remains central for many, sale, aggregation or external investment are increasingly part of strategic planning. Strong governance and disciplined risk management are no longer optional, they are foundational to potential value. And beyond operational complexity sits a human dimension that cannot be overlooked. Farming can be isolating, and the mental health burden across regional communities is well documented. In this environment, the broker’s consistent presence – the regular call, the proactive check-in, the willingness to ask a difficult question – carries real weight. In this edition of the Brokers’ Guide, we examine the changing farming risk landscape, explore how technology and AI are reshaping operations, unpack the ‘invisible’ structural risks within farms, and consider the human pressures facing rural communities. Farming is vital to Australia. Supporting and protecting it requires expertise, discipline and care – and brokers are central to that effort.
3 A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to farming the future
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