Moree farmer Rebecca Reardon has been elected as the latest President of the NSW Farmers Association, at the 2026 NSW Farmers Annual Conference.
Mrs Reardon has a mixed grain and livestock farming business, and brings extensive commercial sector experience to the role.
She has over 20 years in leadership roles for agribusiness companies, specialising in supply chain management and international and domestic commodity marketing in grains and fertilisers. Mrs Reardon has been in the role of NSW Farmers vice president for the past four years.
Mrs Reardon is also deeply involved in all aspects of the Moree community, together with her husband Dan.
‘My inspiration for stepping into this role is to get agriculture in NSW and NSW Farmers Association in a stronger place for the next generation,’ Ms Reardon said. ‘If farmers and rural communities don’t have a voice, they’ll be dealt a poorer hand.’
Rebecca is a graduate of the AICD and holds an Honors degree in Agricultural Economics.
Brocklesby grain grower and livestock producer Justin Everitt was elected as incoming NSW Vice President. Mr Everitt and wife Kate produce wheat, canola, barley, lupins, wool and prime lambs and trade cattle on a generational family farm. Primarily focused on grains production,
Mr Everitt is recognised as a leader in the grains industry, serving as chair of the NSW Farmers Grains Committee since 2021.
Drought response needs a revamp
Also at the 2026 NSW Farmers Annual Conference, farmers have sought a revamp of drought response measures, including incentives to enhance on-farm water and fodder storage.
The call to prioritise practical relief comes as almost half the state is predicted to be in drought by September, and farmers plan production outcomes with forecasts of El Nino weather patterns in mind.
NSW Farmers Grains Committee Chair Justin Everitt said members are not satisfied with the current framework – with many reporting more tangible assistance on the ground was necessary.
‘Drought responses need to be practical with meaningful relief measures that support farmers manage and recover from drought, and prepare for the next one which is always just around the corner,’ Mr Everitt said.
‘Incentives for on-farm infrastructure improvements such as silos, livestock water infrastructure and containment areas, is one solution proposed. Others include fixed cost fee relief for businesses such as the waiving of road usage charges for trucks and a federal and state government subsidy for shire rates.’
Assistance
NSW Farmers will advocate that the NSW government provide dollar-for-dollar matched drought assistance grants for drought-affected farming businesses for water infrastructure improvements, fodder purchases up to $15,000 and financial planning services, suggesting that fodder grants would be a far better drought support measure than a freight subsidy.
Farmers are also keen for a return to formal drought declarations when there is sustained low rainfall (5-10 percent of historical records) over a sustained time period (6-12 months).
NSW Farmers says the organisation will continue to advocate for ‘practical drought measures’.
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