Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says he will relocate a federal department to his electorate, even if it doesn't add up economically, as the threat of him losing his seat to Tony Windsor increases.

Labor is soon to announce that it will direct its preferences towards Mr Windsor in the northern NSW seat of New England.

One source has told AFR Weekend that internal polling has Mr Windsor's primary vote at just over 30 per cent, which is enough to topple the Deputy Prime Minister if preferences go Mr Windsor's way.

Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce may lose his seat.

Mr Joyce announced on Thursday that if he was re-elected, he would move from Canberra to Armidale the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, which regulates agricultural and veterinary chemical products.

This would force 200 scientists and public servants to relocate 800km away or lose their jobs. The push, which Mr Joyce began a year ago, is being resisted by Liberals, including ACT Senator Senator Zed Seselja, and the National Farmers' Federation, which fears the valuable work done by the agency will suffer because key staff won't go.