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Farm business management

Background:

The dairy industry is operating in a complex business environment with challenges arising from climatic conditions, milk prices, labour shortages, input availability and costs.

In 2010, the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics’ (ABARE) report on Financial Performance of Australian Dairy Farms, 2007-08 to 2009-10, illustrated the volatility that dairy farm businesses have experienced over the last decade. It is anticipated that volatility is likely to be a prominent feature in the future.

This will create opportunities for dairy farm businesses as well as risks. To capitalise on the opportunities requires the dairy farm business management
team to have capability in Farm Business Management (FBM).

Project objective:

To build farm business management capability in dairy farmers, advisers and the research sector.

Project scope:

A major project to improve current FBM capability is the newly developed Flexible Dairy Business Program (FDBP). The program consists of four modules:

  • Long term scenario planning of sustainable milk production
  • Modelling
  • Australian national dairy database
  • Building capability in farm business management.


The FDBP aims to consolidate specialist advisory services and enhance farmer business management skills and capabilities. This investment will target advanced farmers, emerging advisers and senior advisers. 11/12 will see the development of a significant collaboration with DairyNZ around FBM personnel, materials and tools beginning with a trans Tasman audit of available decision support tools.

Within 11/12 the focus in FBM will be the development of an industry strategy which includes developments in tool availability, FBM training and development opportunities and investment in building professional skills around FBM.

Outcome:

Improve productivity/profitability by roviding an industry “enabling” investment to build capability in Farm Business Management.

More information:

For more information, contact Helen Quinn, Dairy Australia Analysis & Support Manager.