Listen: Rabobank survey shows drop in farmer confidence

Rabobank's GM Country Banking Hayley Gourley. Photo / Supplied

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Rabobank's latest farmer confidence survey has a "pretty predictable" result says Hayley Gourley.

Rabobank's GM Country Banking told The Country's Jamie Mackay the survey showed farmers are feeling more pessimistic at the moment.

It's not all bad news though as dairy farmers are positive about the prospects for the broader agricultural sector, compared to late 2018.

Listen below:

"Those eight consecutive lifts in the GDT auction were the key factor," said Gourley, who noted the survey concluded before dry weather conditions really began to affect dairy farmers around some parts of the country.

Sheep and beef farmers and horticulturalist confidence dropped, which Gourley attributed to "disruption in offshore markets" due to Brexit and the Chinese economy.

One main concern to come out of the survey was uncertainty around Government policy said Gourley.

"It is highlighting there are a number of policies under consideration and likely to impact the sector."