Profitable Farmer

‘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’s major contributors to in-paddock production advancement.    Perhaps equally important is the community assembled, the farm management support provided, the collaboration now possible, and the knowledge-sharing and the boundary-pushing outcomes achieved for bringing many hundreds of passionate, forward-thinking farm owners together.    In this episode, I speak with Harm van Rees, a legend and gentleman of our industry, who has been part of the BCG story since its inception.    With BCG Founders Ian McLelland and John Ferrier, and as an independent agronomist for over 30 years, Harm has pioneered countless research and

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) & Rhianna 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. Starting as a mixed farm struggling for profitability, the operation was completely dependent on them, with Diesel typically working 80 hours per week. It is fair to say that they have completely transformed their business and lives.   Benchmarking and the support of our Analytics Team helped them decide to focus on ONE enterprise to achieve more focus and scale.   Forecasting and Decision Support Tools have allowed them to set down a financial roadmap that provides them more confidence in the resilience and performance of their business model for years to come.   Their 2 Page Strategic Plan helps them remain aligne

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 her journey from farm life to buying and then building a highly successful business, with her husband Frank, that not only supports local producers but also brings the best of what we grow directly to people's tables. We explore: • The origins of Farm Door Riverina • Frank & Zoe's mission to bridge the gap between farm and table • The challenges and triumphs of scaling a food business • The importance of innovating and adapting your business models in order to grow • How Farm Door is providing wholesome food solutions to busy urban families, retirees and the elderly alike. A team now of over 30 providing over 3,

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 retain ownership and full responsibility for key elements of our businesses’ strategic plan, performance analysis, budgets and operational plans. It is important we have reasonable expectations of Board Members and do not expect them to do the ‘hard work’ on these important elements of business leadership for us. It is also important to be very careful who we invite onto our Board, and what we should reasonably expect from them.   Let’s be real for a moment, farm business ownership is a very complex assignment. We are exposed to the vagaries of the season and the markets. We run complex businesses in isolated settings

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 insight into our Platinum Mastermind program, this episode is an excerpt from a previous 'Growth Call' webinar that I run monthly with our members.   In this particular coaching call, I call on my old mate and past business partner, Simon Harris to dive deep into the essential elements of building a thriving culture within your farm business. Si brings a wealth of experience and insights into creating an environment where your team can excel and your business can flourish.   Specifically, we explore:   What is company culture What are the 6 types of cultures How does your culture rate What we can do to improve the culture

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 special insight into our Platinum Mastermind program, this episode is an excerpt from a previous 'Growth Call' webinar that I run monthly with our members.   During this call, I am joined by Farm Owners Academy CEO, Sam Johnson, and we have an open conversation with our members about:   Identifying where and why we are under-resourced. Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of growth and abundance, which allows us to see the value in investing in our teams. Practical steps to justify the financial investment in new hires and the long-term benefits this brings. Strategies for recruiting effectively, even in a challenging

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 good friend of my father’s, Jim Geltch about the Nuffield farming scholarship program and the significant impact this unique and very special organisation has had on our industry, both locally and globally. For more information on how to apply for a Nuffield Scholarship, click here   Jim started farming in 1971 in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area at Whitton growing rice, row cropping and ultimately into tomato production. This led him to later taking up a leadership position managing the Australian operations for New Zealand’s tomato processing company, Cedenco.   As a long-serving guardian of the Nuffield farming sc

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, finding the woman of your dreams and excelling in a 35-plus-year career as a successful farm business owner.   Imagine finding a way to farm, ski, drive, fly and so much more again!   Imagine complementing all of this with a 20-plus year career on the speaking and education circuit; dedicating your life to helping and inspiring men & women and children of all ages to face adversity, overcome their hardship and live their best lives.   Ladies & Gentlemen, meet Sam & Jenny Bailey.   For me, this conversation was a genuine privilege.I love the opportunity I have to share great Australian stories.   Sam & J

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 structure, and the value this can bring to growing teams, explored ‘The Gap and The Gain’, and how this important concept can help us transform team cultures, enhance confidence in individuals, and underpin high-performing teams, and, revisited the value of strong cash flow modelling in farm business management to help stress-test your business model in the current climate. It is always good to connect with Sam on the Profitable Farmer Podcast. He has developed such valuable insights from his time leading Farm Owners Academy’s growth by supporting members of our Platinum Mastermind and Alumni Community in their farm expans

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 many areas of our country, we see farming families navigating extended flood events, and in others extended dries.   In this podcast I invite Tracy Secombe- Director Well-being & Coaching at FOA- to join me and explore this issue, and how- as a farm business owner- we can overcome it and rise above it.   Ladies & gentlemen, we are not our bank account balance. We are so much more than ‘just farmers’ and ‘just farmers wives’. We are leaders of families and great businesses. We are citizens in communities and valued friends to so many. We are good, hard-working, dependable, capable humans doing very good work and

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 the market has come from a leadership team with a clear focus. Focusing on a sustainable commitment to a consistent and high-quality product range with outstanding service has led the brand to where they are today.    Jim also reminds us of the importance of creating a culture of trust, creativity and innovation to inspire our teams to be actively in pursuit of continuous improvement.    He emphasises the importance of encouraging a culture of radical candour, where teams feel safe and empowered to speak their truth and contribute fully and openly at every opportunity.    Have you created a culture and focus like thi

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 social worker, actively supporting men and women of our industry through times of hardship.   Recently Sarah made the decision to complete a Nuffield Scholarship, and embark on a global research project exploring the impact that financial duress, market volatility and government interventions can have on the mental health and well-being of farming families.   To say this is an important research piece is an understatement, and I commend Sarah for her dedication and commitment as an advocate for the mental strength and well-being of our industry and rural communities.   In this podcast, we explore what it is Sarah sees,

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 broken to a professional and lasting success, the Kathleigh Farms story is now just as much one to watch as it is one to appreciate for their achievement so far.   Years ago, Andrew & Cassandra found themselves in a destructive share-farming relationship, placing immense pressure them financially and personally. At rock-bottom, Andrew & Cass dug-deep, focused on themselves and on making meaningful change. They made a massive commitment to join the FOA Community, and with grit, learning and determination have transformed their business and lives.   Over the last 5 years, we have seen Kathleigh Farms grow from h

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 worked in the past, only to find they are not optimal or even relevant in our current economic climate.   To quote Einstein: “Doing the same thing over and again and expecting a different result, is the definition of insanity.”   With inflation, increased interest rates and softening commodity prices, it has never been more important to actively stress-test the potential and resilience of the business model you have, then seek to refine, re-engineer and adapt it to ensure it is profitable long-term AND relevant in the current economic climate.   The question is, HOW?   In this podcast, I speak to this, then advocate

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.   Throughout my journey, I have gotten comfortable with the fact that money:   Is not hard to come by Is not beyond my control Is not the ‘root of all evil’ and that it CAN ‘grow on trees!’   How is your mindset toward money serving you?   In this episode, I call on Investment Specialist and Freedom Trader Terry Tran, to explore:   How his attitude toward money has changed. Where the previous money mindset he inherited might have taken him. How to think like an INVESTOR rather than a worker. His beliefs around and approach to making money and investing now. What it means to create a truly abundant, fulfilled and wealthy li

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 feel deeply privileged to interview Anna Meares – 11-time world champion and the greatest female track cyclist of all time.   Throughout Anna’s sporting career, she achieved:   2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze over four consecutive Olympics 11 gold, 10 silver, 6 bronze at World Championships 5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze at Commonwealth Games   Anna also has many titles including the Institute of Sport’s "Best Of The Best" inductee and is a Hall of Fame recipient, flag-bearer and Captain at our 2016 Olympic Games. She is now a 2024 Chef de Mission, coach, mentor and teacher to our current era of Olympian legends...   What imp

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 Thurber. In his teachings, Marshall emphasises that there are universal laws (laws of nature) that, when applied to our businesses and lives, can offer us so much certainty and confidence and set a robust foundation on which to see our results grow exponentially. In this episode, and in my attempt to answer these questions, I offer an insight into the Law of Precession - how we can apply it to our lives, how to set down major, definite goals, and make a more meaningful impact as leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs.   Linked with this, I share some lessons learned from one of my favourite books, “Think and Grow

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 - husbands, wives and families missing out on what life and family are truly meant to be about.   That is where Platinum Mastermind members Sam & Carla Armytage found themselves.   Let’s be very real for a minute: the pressures of owning and running a significant farm business can be immense. Even for the super-human, at times, this can all become too much.   In sharing their genuinely inspirational story, in their usual humble and understated ways, Sam & Carla explain where their life was at, consumed by the pressures of putting the farm first. They outline the very real impact this was having on their marriage a

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 farming over the past 10 years, to say the least, is deeply impressive.     From a standing start to over 5,000 acres under management, Martin & Hayley have been stand-out members and incredible contributors to the Farm Owners Academy community.   In this interview, we share their story and reflect and celebrate:   the courage they have shown to scale in today’s climate successfully; their ability to back themselves and make bold growth decisions; the importance of strong financial acumen AND a positive money mindset; the value of benchmarking and regular farm performance analysis; the power of a concise strategic pla

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 this episode, I speak with my wonderful wife, mother of four, high-performance physiotherapist, and now breathing re-training specialist, Jane Hutchings -  to explore the importance of LEARNING TO BREATHE WELL.   Anxiety, stress, depression, asthma, hay fever, insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless legs, snoring, excess sweating, brain fog, mental fatigue and burnout are just some of the conditions we face when we breathe poorly.   Rather than medication or physical interventions, focusing on learning to breathe properly can see all these health challenges vastly improved and even overcome for any or all of us.   With a 2