Collaborating your farming operation with your neighbour’s – has it crossed your mind?
Buying gear together, running your businesses as one… the options are plentiful.
A guest speaker visiting Bairnsdale at the end of the month will discuss in detail why collaboration might benefit local farmers.
Jeff McDonald, of RLS Agribusiness, will also speak about the impacts of red tape on farming businesses, including the recent ‘responsible lending’ laws and how they may impact how a farming business complies with them.
Event co-organiser, Anthony Snow, of Bengworden, said Mr McDonald was a very interesting man to listen to.
“He has some great ideas on collaborative farming,” Anthony said.
“You can join forces with your neighbour to increase the scale of your business, instead of having to try and buy another farm.
“He’s also good at getting people to think outside the square a little, he says one option is to put a business over two farms and lease the farm back to that business.
“It’s all really interesting because everyone has their own specialities and it’s possible for people to combine their skills with other like-minded farmers.”
Mr McDonald has 40 years of experience in the finance industry and is currently chair of the RivaWine Collaboration.
The workshop is a part of the popular Business of Farming series of events that have run since late last year, coordinated by the East Gippsland Shire Council and jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments’ State Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements.
Other collaborative partners include Gippsland Agricultural Group and Southern Farming Systems.
The Business of Farming event featuring Jeff McDonald will take place at the Bairnsdale RSL in the Lakes Room, from 10am-2pm at no cost and lunch provided.
To book your spot contact Natalie Jenkins at Southern Farming Systems.
