Birchip Cropping Group’s (BCG) second Future Farmers Expo has been hailed a success with farmers from across the state flocking to Birchip to take advantage of the professional development opportunity.
In 2014 the need for improved farm business management skills was identified by BCG’s farmer-based advisory committee as a crucial element to maintain business sustainability.
In response, BCG adapted its popular Grains Research Expo to become the Future Farmers Expo – an event focused on the ‘business’ side of farming.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said BCG events manager Ciara Cullen.
“The interest and engagement in this event is clear evidence that farmers are seeking information on how to manage their businesses, improve profit margins and reduce risk.”
The 2016 Future Farmers Expo included presentations on enterprise mix, farm expansion, off-farm investment, precision agriculture and big data and working with farm boards.
Harry Hendon from the Bureau of Meterology provided an interpretation of the seasonal climate outlook and Luise Sigel gave an update on the Russian Wheat Aphid outbreak and delivered some important messages about how growers can help keep exotic pests out.
Eighteen leading agribusinesses were also at the event to provide farmers with information about their products and services.
For many, a highlight was a presentation from Murtoa farmers Andy and Chris Delahunty about farm boards.
Establishing and using a farm board is a relatively novel concept for many farmers who have traditionally operated their businesses as part of a family partnership or trust.
However, according to Andy and Chris, farm boards can help take the business to the next level.
“Having people not intimately involved with the business helps us to identify our goals and our weaknesses and be more strategic about how we might go about improving the business,” Andy said.
Some of the messages delivered in the Delehunty’s presentation were reiterated by Simon Craig and Adam Laughlin from Farm 360 who challenged growers to really consider why they might want to buy more land or machinery.
Using benchmarking data, Simon and Adam were able to show farmers how to assess the likely return on investment from farm expansion, capital purchases or investing off-farm.
“These things we really need to think about and conversations we really need to have,” said one first-time Expo attendee.
“The take-home for me has been to communicate and keep all farm partners (or family members) in the loop,” she said.
“Today has been very valuable for us.”
A full-day of information gathering and farmer-to-farmer learning concluded with complementary refreshments, giving attendees an opportunity to mingle and network.
One hundred guests stayed on for the BCG Expo dinner, providing a great chance to reflect on the day and discuss the ‘business of farming’.
