Young farmers from across the Mallee, Wimmera and south west Victoria are being encouraged to sign up now for a two-day intensive business bootcamp.
The Young Farmer Business Bootcamp program combines expert presentations and advice with hands-on activities and professional networking opportunities in convenient rural settings.
The program is aimed at supporting young people who want to have a long and successful career in the sheep, beef and mixed farming industries.
‘Participants will walk away with a plan that helps them develop strategies to build their business.’
North east Victorian cattle breeder Sarah White said the Benalla bootcamp introduced her to the idea of partial budgeting which she continues to use.
‘In a tough year, yes, the initial impact of taking fertilizer out is a great income saver, but what ongoing impact will that have on your business?’ Mrs White said.
Mrs White said the bootcamp exposed her to the concepts of five-year cash flows and long-term business planning.
‘The accountants and banks are always asking for a one-year cash flow, but [the bootcamp] got us doing a five-year cash flow which was fantastic, because it gives you a vision of where your business is going.’
The workshops will be co-delivered by technical experts from Meridian Agriculture.
Meridian Farm Business Advisor Paul Blackshaw says the sessions will be informative, interactive and will enable participants to access tools to apply their learnings directly to their own businesses.
The bootcamp program will take participants through:
- analysing the performance of a business
- understanding profit and loss, variable costs and gross farm income
- return on assets
- understanding risk
- planning for profit and drivers for profit
- how to make evidence-based decisions
- cash flow budgets
- strategic planning
- pathways to farming including leasing and share farming
- succession planning
The program costs $100 for the first person and then $50 per additional person from the same farm business, with all meals and course materials included.
Participants will need to register on Eventbrite: https://agriculturevictoriaevents.eventbrite.com.au
The bootcamps will be held at three different locations across Victoria in February and March to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend one in their region.
| Location | Day 1 | Day 2 |
| Ouyen | 21 February | 22 February |
| Kaniva | 27 February | 28 February |
| Skipton | 14 March | 15 March |
For more information and session times go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/bootcamp
For more information please contact Sarah Wallis from Agriculture Victoria on email – [email protected], or phone (03) 5761 1573.
This program is funded by Agriculture Victoria and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
