GRDC Grains Research and Development : Up skilling for the future

Jules Alvaro (image above) is a western regional
panel member and writes that as today's generation
of grain growers face a very different grain business
to that of 20 years ago, it is imperative to up-skill those
in, or coming into, the industry.

Farm advisory boards could be an important tool in managing business risk, improving decision making on-farm and transferring the business between generations, according to research undertaken by the Geraldton port zone Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN).

The 'Transitioning Family Farming Businesses' project, targeted at Western Australian grain growers aged under 45 years, aims to foster conversations across the industry about future farm business management skills and the positive implications of using a farm advisory board.

Led by Danielle England, of AgInnovate, the project explored the use of farm advisory boards in the WA grains industry.

Used broadly and successfully across other industry sectors, advisory boards are usually made up of all members of farming businesses, especially family-owned enterprises, plus key people with identified skills and trusted advisers.

The Geraldton RCSN project found that boards provide a structured, disciplined platform to deal with production, financial and personal issues that need to be considered when running a farm business.

With today's generation of grain growers facing a very different grain business to that of 20 years ago, it is imperative to up-skill those in, or coming into, the industry.

Putting in place a formal decision making process allows businesses to manage risks, formally identify key issues, research options and to discuss in an open environment these issues or opportunities before any business decision is made.

A board structure also allows every member of that particular business, at an individual level, to have input into the business.

This allows the older generation to remain actively involved with the business, while the next generation actively learns about farm management.

The Geraldton RCSN project identified the value of a variety of farm business workshops run by various organisations - including the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) Farm Business Updates - in providing business management skills to grain growers under the age of 45.

The GRDC Farm Business Updates, to be held in Munglinup on February 8; Narrogin on February 10; and Dalwallinu on February 11, provide growers with opportunities to upskill in various aspects within their enterprises.

More information about the GRDC Farm Business Updates in the west is available.

Currently in Australia, there are very few grain production businesses using a board of management to provide strategic support to the business.

In-depth interviews coming out of the Geraldton RCSN project found that the top benefits for the use of farm advisory boards by family farming businesses were strategically focused, with business improvement and an overall 'big picture' direction for the business from all family members identified by participants.

The 'big picture' direction benefit of using a board includes assisting growers to take regular time to talk about the strategic direction of their businesses, as well as giving growers the ability to separate out the strategic decision making from the everyday operational aspects of the farming business.

Previous research has indicated that the widespread adoption of farm advisory boards in Australian grains businesses would dramatically improve business risk management across the industry.

It would provide a more professional approach to strategic decision making and provide a platform for the next generation to transition into the farming business, while utilising the experience and knowledge of the retiring generation.

For Interviews

Danielle England
0429 676077
[e-mail]

Contact

Melissa Williams, Cox Inall Communications 0428 884 414
[e-mail]

GRDC Project Code ENG00001

Region West