Dairy Australia : Taking stock experience welcomed by South-West farmers

Friday 20 January 2017| From Dairy Australia

Taking Stock means more confidence and less stress say a few south-west Victorian dairy farmers who can now see a path through the 2016/17 season and beyond.

For sharefarmers Danny O'Donnell and Janelle Fisher the experience, which sees farmers work with a skilled dairy advisor to create an action plan, got them working on the same page.

'We were too busy in our own worlds focusing on what we did individually and not bringing it together as a team,' Janelle said.

'To be able to block out four hours with a third person was good because there have been times when Danny and I have tried to sit-down but you don't really achieve anything at the end of it. So to have that time locked away you get in, you get it done and you have a purpose.'

The couple, who farm at Irrewillipe, now see annual analysis as vital as they work their way to farm ownership.
'To get to farm ownership that's going to be a long road so at the end of every year we need to look at what we've done, reassess, and hit the goals for the next 12 months.

'At the end of the day we do it because we love it but we are running a business and if the business isn't working then we can't do what we do every day - so you've got to take the time to assess,' Janelle said.

For Simpson farmers Bronwyn Davies and her husband Brett Davies, Taking Stock was also a positive.

'We've been sleeping better at night because realistically it's not a bad as we first anticipated. Doing Taking Stock - there is definitely a lot of reassurance there.'

South West dairy consultant Paul Groves had not seen farmers as stressed as he had in 2016. He said Taking Stock was a very efficient use of time for farmers to have a look at their business to identify what they are doing and areas that they can improve on.

'After doing Taking Stock I think farmers are more confident, less stressed, they understand where the business is at and have a path forward so they can see the steps where they can get to,' he said.
'That may not mean that they make a huge profit this year but they know what they are faced with and the steps they need to take to address it.'

The free, confidential, one-on-one sessions with experienced dairy advisors are still being offered free to dairy farmers in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and NSW. It is delivered as part of Dairy Australia's Tactics for Tight Times campaign and is proudly supported by the Gardiner Foundation, the Australian Government, the South Australian Government, the Tasmanian Government and major dairy processors.

To date more than 850 dairy farmers have registered for Taking Stock. Dairy Australia Program Manager, Neil Webster, said feedback from farmers who had participated was very positive.

'We've had strong feedback with nine out of ten farmers feeling more confident about making farm business decisions and saying that they would recommend Taking Stock to other farmers. That is a great endorsement.' he said.

Taking Stock sessions are confidential and delivered by trained industry advisors to help farm families work through key management decisions and identify support available to manage their businesses through challenging times.
Advisors work with key members of the farm team over the kitchen table to support financial and physical analysis of their operation and facilitate discussions regarding the current business position, future options and an action plan for the business.
If you are interested in taking up the opportunity to do Taking Stock call WestVic Dairy on 5557 1000.

Dairy Australia is the national services body for the Australian dairy industry. The company acts as the collective investment arm of the industry, investing in essential research, development, extension and industry services with the goal of making dairy farms more profitable.

Felicity Gallagher - Media Manager, Dairy Australia
03 9694 3809 / 0417 540 059 / [e-mail]