Profitable Farmer

I have heard it said that “doing a traditional thing in a traditional industry may no longer be relevant.”   I have also heard it said that the point of entrepreneurship is to “create a legacy”…. that is to create something that makes an impact of significance in the market, that will last beyond your life-time.   Certainly there are great examples of individuals and teams out there daring enough...

In this episode, I speak with Tim McGavin, Founder and Managing Director of Laguna Bay , one of the largest privately owned agricultural investment funds globally.    Reflecting on his farming background and extensive career, we explore life growing up on a station west of Barcaldine, QLD alongside his ‘bushy’ father and family. We explore Tim’s early years through school, his journey into agricul...

As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape. In this episode, and 6 months after our last update from Terry, we cover all things interest rates, inflation, commodities outlooks, exchange rates and economies. We get Terry’s valued insight across the USA, China, Russia/Ukraine and other global developme...

We all have a role to play in inspiring our next generation of farmers – now there is a compelling program and pathway to make this happen. In this episode, Hutch speaks with Chloe Smart, Training and Career Development Coordinator at AgCareerStarts. As Chloe explains, AgCareerStarts provides on-farm employment opportunities for 17 to 24 year olds interested in pursuing a career in agriculture. Ba...

‘Farm Systems’ or ‘Grower Groups’ play a pivotal part in our farming landscape.    Of these,  Birchip Cropping Group  (BCG) is the pinnacle.    Providing large-scale, in-season crop & pasture production trials, the latest research intelligence and important production improvement training to progressive farmers across Victoria’s Wimmera & Mallee for over 30 years, BCG is one of our nation’...

It’s incredible seeing the results members of our Platinum Mastermind are achieving, their commitment to the program and the progression of their business and personal development.   FOA Alumni Members David (Diesel) & Rhianne Low, make a great example of this.   Commencing the program in July 2017, Diesel & Rhianne have become valued members and real contributors to our growing community....

In this episode, I am delighted to introduce to you Zoe Lamont, owner of Farm Door Riverina, a growing regional food business providing ready-made, wholesome meals to busy families, retirees and the elderly across Australia. Growing up on a farm near Junee, Zoe has deep ties to the land and a vision for bringing high-quality, wholesome, locally sourced food to families across Australia. Zoe shares...

In complement to our last two episodes that focus on on-farm culture and team, in this episode, I explore a question we receive often:             When is the right time and how do we best establish an Advisory Board?   There is an important set of business practices and disciplines that need to be in place and effective prior to establishing a Board. It is important that as business owners we ret...

CULTURE - we all have one, whether we like it or not. Within our business, our family, even our community.   Leaving our culture unchecked can be a disaster. Accepting a sub optimal culture can be destroying... for you AND those around you.   At Farm Owners Academy, we believe deeply in creating high-performing teams and cultures, both in family AND business.   Once again giving you special insigh...

It is clear to me that so many of us are under-resourced.   As such, we dedicate 20-40 hours per week to low-value farm activity, often at the expense of CEO-level tasks. For me, this continued focus on low-value activity might save a wage, but it's costing you a FORTUNE. This episode is all about how to break free from that cycle and step into the role of a true business leader.   Giving you spec...

Nuffield International’s vision is to inspire people to make a difference in the world of agriculture.   It is fair to say this great organisation is truly achieving it’s global vision- directly as a result of the many great leaders of Nuffield, like Jim Geltch, who have committed much of their careers to making this happen.   It was a privilege for me to speak this week with a fellow scholar and...

Imagine losing your arms, legs, body and your entire outlook on life… at age 19.   Imagine being in the prime of your life, only to have it all taken away.   Imagine having to start over, come to terms with that hardship, yet find the determination to get on with life.   Imagine how hard it would be to ‘stand back up’ and turn up to life again.   Then, imagine successfully re-creating yourself, fi...

In this episode, it was great to connect with the impressive Sam Johnsson, CEO of Farm Owners Academy. During our discussion we:   reflected on his 3 years with us, acknowledged the incredible Farm Owners Academy team and community, discussed the importance of the CEO role in any business, explored the power of focusing team members toward ‘their genius’ within a clear and well-documented structur...

For so many of us, so often our self-confidence and sense of self go up and down with the seasons. We feel good about ourselves when times are good, and we are intently hard on ourselves, and even think we are failing, when the season, the conditions or the markets go against us.   Before Christmas we saw a shock hit the sheep-meat market, impacting meat producers at that time significantly. In ma...

I have said before that there is so much we can learn from business leaders and entrepreneurs outside of our industry.   In this episode, I interview Jim Gall, now CEO of RB Sellars.   There is no doubt that RB Sellars has been established as an iconic brand across our landscape. Jim reminds us that success in business doesn’t happen overnight and that the strong position they have developed in th...

  In my last episode introduction I asked - who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress or hardship in this game called farming?   In this episode, I explore this theme further with an in-depth interview with Sarah Crossthwaite. Sarah lives and works with her husband and family on a dairy farm in Northeast Victoria. She has an impressive career as an accredited mental health so...

Who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress and hardship in this game called farming? I feel this is relevant and real for so many - it isn’t always an easy game to play.   In this podcast it gives me great pleasure to interview FOA Alumni Members Cassandra & Andrew (Rusty) Kath.   From start-up to established, from 50 cows to 500 cows, and from financially and personally b...

So many farming families we meet have businesses that are completely dependent on them. In addition, so many farm owners across Australia’s have business models that are not risk-aware, sufficiently profitable, sustainable, or optimal over time.   Is your business model delivering you the outcomes you want from your farm?   So often we see farmers ‘rinsing and repeating’ business models that have...

I love the concept that perhaps our subconscious programming is the thing that is holding us back.   I also like the concept that money is just a tool to give us what we want in life.   However, I believe that many of us have a SCARCITY or ABUNDANCE mindset toward money.   I like the idea of visualising money as ‘fun tickets’ to be used and enjoyed for me and others, now and in the future.   Throu...

When people succeed at the highest level, often all we see of them is their endeavour and their achievement.   We never really get to hear of the challenge, the hardship or the immense struggle that is behind the enduring success.   There can be so many lessons relevant to how, as farmers, we can better face the challenges that come our way and overcome adversity and change.   In this episode, I f...

Throughout our lives, and often at this time of year, we can find ourselves reflecting and asking important questions like; Why am I here? What am I doing this for? What is it that is my purpose in life? What do I want for my life? How do I want to be remembered? Over my business journey, I have been lucky enough to study with and learn from one of the great business minds of our time, Marshall Th...

As farm business owners, we can often be operating at intense and unsustainable levels for extended periods of time. Many times, the farm comes first, and so many other important things take the back seat.   Our farms can be under-resourced, our teams insufficient, our realities out of control and operations completely dependent upon us. Our plans are in our heads, marriages out of alignment - hus...

As the finish line to another calendar year arrives, I cherish the opportunity to share the stories of some of our incredible community members - to celebrate their success in all they do as business owners and farmers.   Martin & Hayley Grosser own and operate MHG Farming Enterprises, a mixed sheep and dryland cropping operation at Kaniva in Victoria’s Western Wimmera. Their success in farmin...

We can survive 3 weeks without food...   3 days without water…   But only 3 minutes without breathing.   As for parenting, our body, mind and many other critical life functions, we have never been taught HOW TO BREATHE.   As a result, and over time, most of us are immensely inefficient with our breathing, leading us to a long list of health conditions that keep us from living our best lives.   In...

Leadership is about giving those around you certainty.    Making strong predictions based on quality information and taking proactive action in tough times is a hallmark of strong leadership.   Many Aussie farmers have experienced a marked drop in meat prices in recent months, impacting their realities and outlook significantly.   As in Episode 121 with Grain & Oilseeds Lead Analyst - Stefan V...