IT'S fair to say the Federal Government's first year hasn't been as bad for the bush as many feared.

Labor has focused on areas exercising many rural minds - water, climate change, drought, quarantine.

It has also been busy delivering election pledges, which, with one or two exceptions, is largely done.

Its main rural practitioners - Agriculture Minister Tony Burke and Water Minister Penny Wong - appear to have gained the respect of the sector.

Mr Burke's pursuit of wheat export deregulation in particular has established his "can do" credentials.

But it's also fair to say there's still nervousness in the bush about the direction of some policy areas.

On water, Labor has taken a stong stand on tackling over-allocation in the Murray Darling Basin, to the point of making water purchases the centrepiece of its first-year efforts.

It seems to have neglected spending on upgrading irrigation systems, despite having allocated much more money for this.

Some projects are "in development", but nothing's happened on the ground. There's hardly a mention of support for on-farm improvements.

Irrigation communities need more evidence - and soon - that there will be a balanced and integrated approach to irrigation.

Climate change and the proposed emissions trading regime are also creating a few jitters.

The Government has left a decision on this until 2013 to allow time for researchers to nail down the complex range of farm emissions and "sinks".

Hopefully, the government's upcoming "white paper" on emissions trading will clarify some issues.

Mr Burke has also reviewed drought support and made clear future policy will be about preparedness, mutual responsibility and limits on welfare support.

That's made some nervous, despite Mr Burke's assurance there'll be no changes while the drought persists. The sooner details are announced, the better.