Starting a farm enterprise can be daunting with many things to consider. But do not worry, there is very good information and advice out there.
Getting started
Accountants are a good starting point. They can advise you on the best business structure to put in place, your Goods and Services tax status, your BAS and PAYG reporting and payment requirements as well as special primary production tax arrangements such as farm management deposits.
Farm management consultants and agronomists provide advice on a range of financial, management and technical subjects.
Many consultancies now offer expertise across a range of disciplines to bring a holistic approach to their work.
Help and advice is available on everything from production technical aspects through to marketing and business management.
Banks that specialise in rural lending can be a good source of advice. They may also offer better lending services because they understand the risk structure of farm enterprises well.
Many have agribusiness specialists who know what is happening ‘on the ground’. They want accurate information from you, but suggest how this is gathered. If the bank is happy, then you have probably done your homework.
Your local veterinarian can help with planning for livestock. Rural vets are skilled in all aspects of farm animal production. Talk to them about what you want to do. They can help with nutritional, reproductive, disease prevention, bio-security strategies and planned animal husbandry practices.
Vets don’t like doing autopsies – prevention is a better strategy.
Doing
Farm contractors can play an important role for you. They have the skill, experience, the equipment and the time, because that is what they sell.
Some might call this cheque-book farming, but there is a method in this madness.
Consider these issues:
- Time saved;
- Getting a job done right the first time; and
- Money saved by not having to buy and maintain expensive plant and machinery.
Some farmers are very skilled at all aspects of their work and love everything that they do. However, most are better skilled at some jobs than others, and most like some aspects of their work more than others.
So, the trick is to find out what you are good at and what you like doing – you will probably do these jobs well.
Consider getting help for jobs that stretch your knowledge and experience, that you don’t like doing so much or that you find frustrating. There is someone out there to help you with just about everything on the farm.
But, don’t call a contractor the night before you want the job done – contact them early so you both can plan to get the best result.
Livestock agents are an invaluable source of advice and help about buying and selling livestock. They use a range of marketing options to get the best results for you – direct sales, saleyards and internet platforms such as AuctionsPlus.
Your livestock agent may even help you with some husbandry tasks and mustering as part of their service.
Rural supply stores often employee tertiary trained staff as well as staff who have completed industry accredited training. They can advise you on a range of plant and animal husbandry products and how to apply them properly. They can help you source seed, fodder, grain and specialty livestock feeds.
No matter what job you are doing, always work safely.
Use personal protective equipment and do not push yourself, others, machines and livestock beyond safe work practices.
Learning
Farming is about lifelong learning. Learning about plants and animals, the weather and seasonal variations, local flora and fauna, the landscape and your community comes from observation, conversation, experience, and a range of sources.
Consider getting help for jobs that stretch your knowledge and experience, that you don’t like doing so much or that you find frustrating.
There is a huge amount of information you can access from weekly publications such as The Land, industry newsletters, field days, producer workshops and forums through to enrolment in post school courses.
The internet is a resource of information about almost all farming topics.
Peak body and industry group websites have a range of well researched and relevant information about their fields.
The Department of Primary Industry website has a huge range of material on all aspects of primary production
Your Local Land Services office can provide you with advice and information on crops and pastures, weed and vermin control, animal health issues and strategies, biosecurity and environmental enhancement.
Active local Landcare groups operate in many communities. These offer a great opportunity to involve yourself in the community and to improve the environmental outcomes for your farm and the broader landscape. Tocal College offers a range of face-to-face and distance education courses on most aspects of primary production. Our short courses are tailored from introductory to advanced learning so there is a course for everyone.
You can learn about operating farm machinery safely (tractors, quad bikes, 4WD driving and chainsaws), property planning, fencing, animal handling, chemicals, pastures, soils and fertilisers.
- Visit: www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/courses.