eNews

9th Edition, November 2016

Mixed farm businesses designed for profitability

'A Better Farm Business by your Design, hosted by the Limestone Coast Red Meat Cluster, MacKillop Farm Management Group and PIRSA, wound up late last month.

Run over three workshops, it gave Limestone Coast mixed farm enterprises an opportunity to understand their tax financials, develop their own management accounts, and determine strategies to improve their businesses.

As a result of the workshop series, all participating businesses were planning changes to the management of their enterprises with the aim of improving profitability. Changes planned include: more financial analysis, comparative enterprise analysis, establishing an advisory board, setting up a partnership agreement, and seeking grain marketing advice.

Participants commented that the course "...took my learning and understanding to another level..." and that they now “...feel confident to go to our bank to discuss our figures because of this course.”

One couple who did the course together said “This has been great for us to communicate with each other. [We] talked about improving our enterprises and how to do this. Spent more time in the office together than ever (and hardly any arguments!)”.

Less arguments in the office; now that makes it all worthwhile!

The Limestone Coast Red Meat Cluster, together with Livestock SA, will be running further business courses in early 2017. Stay tuned for all the details!

For more information, contact Ann Aldersey: ann@limestonecoastredmeat.com.au or 0428 854 825

2016 Southern Grassfed Carcase Classic

It’s on again! Entries are now open for the 2016 Southern Grassfed Carcase Classic.

This competition aims to showcase the excellent quality grassfed beef that is produced in the Limestone Coast. All entries must be grassfed (funny that), NLIS tagged and MSA accredited.

Entries are processed at Teys Australia Naracoorte plant and two-thirds of all entry fees are donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Download the entry form and terms & conditions for all the details.

Contact SGCC Committee Chairman Allan Kain for more information: 0409 366 010 or mail.sgcc@gmail.com

Succession Planning Workshop - 12 December, Mount Gambier

Are you keen to learn more about succession planning? What needs to be considered? What are the financial implications? Legal issues?

Potatoes SA has organised this event and, given succession planning’s relevance to all agricultural sectors, has kindly invited interested farm business operators from all industries across the Limestone Coast.

When: Monday 12 December 2016, 5-8pm

Where: Commodore on the Park, Mount Gambier

Cost: $50 including dinner and refreshments.

Farm Co-operatives & Collaboration Pilot Program

Known as Farming Together, the pilot program is funded through the Australian Government and aims to be a resource for primary producers to help them value-add, build marketplace strength and boost returns: just some of the benefits of collaboration!

There are many and varied examples of successful collaboration in agriculture in Australia and there is potential for many more farmers to benefit from this way of doing business.

If you have a business idea that involves some sort of collaboration, whether it's through a co-operative structure, involves value chain linkages, some kind of collective bargaining, or any other working together innovation, the team at Farming Together can work with you to evaluate it and then provide funding support if it has potential.

Contact Farming Together on 1800 00 55 55 or email them at info@farmingtogether.com.au 

And another one on collaboration....

Beef industry online media outlet Beef Central recently published an interesting read on research into supply chain models commissioned by the WA Department of Agriculture and Food.

The research looked at case studies across a number of food industries and found a number of common critical success factors including "fact-based industry information and performance baselines, industry collaboration combined with branding and increased forward integration with supply chain partners".

ACCC verdict on beef and cattle market competition

The ACCC recently released the report on its six-month study of Australian cattle and beef markets, making 14 recommendations to improve supply chain transparency and effectiveness.

The Commission's assessment is that prices for many cattle transactions are not reported or poorly reported, resulting in producers and buyers not having the data they need to make informed business decisions.

The ACCC also has concerns about a lack of independence and transparency in the process of grading carcases at abattoirs. Concerns include whether the existing audit systems ensure the integrity of the grading process.

The report notes further consolidation among processors also has the potential to substantially lessen competition in regional markets and says the ACCC will continue to scrutinise any future mergers closely.

The Commission sees opportunities for meaningful improvements in the cattle and beef supply chain. Some great work is already underway in the industry, for example the introduction of objective grading and the ACCC is encouraging industry leaders to embrace other reforms that will lead to greater transparency and efficiency.

The ACCC is seeking comments on the interim report by 23 November 2016.

Keeping in touch....

Don't hesitate to contact Project Coordinator Ann Aldersey on 0428 854 825 or ann@limestonecoastredmeat.com.au if you have any queries or suggestions.

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