There are contradictory reports about how many people attended the rally, with organisers citing 4,000 and ACT Policing estimating 1,500.

NSW Farmers’ Association president Charles Armstrong said lost production caused by bans on farmers cost more than $600 million annually. He also said farmers should receive “fair and reasonable compensation” when their rights are taken away.

Chairman of the Cooma branch of NSW Farmers Association Craig Mitchell said farmers are generally conservative and good conservationists.

Middle Flat farmer Michael Green said farmers were fighting for more than land rights, they were also fighting for the right to farm.

“We’re continually having our work practices questioned by those who don’t know what they’re talking about. We’ve proven beyond doubt that we’re sustainable, both the generational farmers and the recent ones with knowledge from rural courses,” Mr Green said.

Doug Constance said his father used to say freeholders had no rights to what was above or below their land, only what they grew on it. With infringements on land clearing rights, Mr Constance said now freehold farmers “don’t even have those rights anymore”.

Ian Litchfield said Peter Spencer’s efforts “up the tree” had raised urban awareness of rural issues. Mr Litchfield said he hoped the federal and state governments would take action but he was pessimistic.

“The government talks about food security. It’s common sense to realise that what’s gone through legislation is making it extremely difficult for the farming community to meet [food] requirements in the future,” Mr Litchfield said.

Talkback radio host Alan Jones was Master of Ceremonies at Tuesday’s rally. He said those present should think of their actions as ripples in a pond.

“Alan Jones challenged people to think if more people create a ripple it becomes a torrent and torrents can sweep a government out of power and change the way things are done,” Mr Spencer’s spokesperson Ian Hampton said.