Insurance levies, biosecurity, mobile coverage and AI were on the table as delegates and senior NSW politicians gathered in Sydney for the NSW Farmers Annual Conference.  

Farmers from the Bourke, Brewarrina, Narromine, Warrumbungle, Gilgandra and Warren shires joined more than 200 members over the two-day conference between 22-23 July.

Brewarrina farmer Gerard Glover chairs NSW Farmers' Western Division Council and said biosecurity - including feral pigs, fire ants and weeds - was a top issue.

"Everybody mentioned the pig numbers.

"There are places 20 years ago that didn't have pigs on their place or in their area, and now they're there for whatever reason," said Mr Glover, who farms cattle, sheep and goats on a property at about 30 kilometres south of Brewarrina.

"It depends on what area you're in for what your hot topic is.

"The north coast, they were talking about fire ants. They're also talking about cattle ticks and the regulatory governance that comes over them.

"Fire ants is not a problem for me in Brewarrina, but if fire ants get into the Darling River, they could be in Adelaide before Christmas time - so to speak - if they get all their ducks in a row.

"I think that until it affects you, you sort of don't realise."

NSW Premier Chris Minns addressed the annual conference. [IMAGE: Katje Ford]

Members passed a motion to support removing emergency service levies for farm insurance.

They also approved support to bring 4G network coverage in line with levels available before Telstra's 3G shutdown in 2024.

Peak farming bodies have complained about a drop in service availability since the shutdown.  

Farmers also discussed wide-ranging topics involving firearms, emergency service levies, a first farmer buyers scheme and even artificial intelligence (AI).

Trangie cattle, sheep and grain farmer Peter Wilson said he opposes federal treasurer Jim Chalmer's proposal to double the superannuation tax to 30 per cent for accounts worth more than $3 million.

He also supports NSW Farmer's push to remove the emergency services levy for farmers.

"You're paying your insurance, you're paying GST (Goods and Services Tax) on top of the insurance, then you're paying stamp duty, plus the levy, it just about doubles," he said.

Insurers and councils don't pay GST on the levy. However, if insurers incorporate the levy into a farmer's insurance premium, GST is chargeable.

A cattle sale in Coonamble on Wednesday 16 July. [IMAGE: River McCrossen]

 Mr Wilson was also re-elected as the peak body's treasurer.

NSW premier Chris Minns addressed the conference on its first day, voicing his support for the industry and taking questions from farmers.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and agriculture minister Tara Moriarty also spoke, along with Nationals MP Dugald Saunders.

A pre-conference panel on Monday 21 July also hosted researchers and industry figures who discussed American trade tariffs.

“From the rising cost of doing business to green tape and pest and weed problems, farmers are up against it in their efforts to feed the future," NSW Farmers Chief Executive Annabel Johnson said.

“But we know there are also a lot of opportunities, which is why we are coming together to develop new strategies for success.”