Keep farms in Australian hands: Joyce

Cabinet minister Barnaby Joyce is standing by his view that foreign, state-owned companies shouldn't own Australian farming land, despite not winning the backing of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The agriculture minister says he will take the personal view to The Nationals NSW state conference on the weekend.

"I prefer the Australian people to be the holder of the Australian asset," Mr Joyce said, conceding the cabinet's view was the position of "a collective of people".