Dairy farmers have been lining up to take advantage of Dairy Australia’s offer of free one-on-one Taking Stock sessions with experienced dairy advisors.
To date 695 dairy farmers in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and southern NSW have registered for the three-to-four hour sessions where a farming family and an advisor analyse the business, look for options and create an action plan for the season over the kitchen table.
Demand has been consistently strong and able to be met in reasonable time, with 65% of sessions now delivered. In Victoria, 541 dairy farmers have registered with demand for Taking Stock being reasonably equitable across all regions.
A preliminary survey of a sample of participating farmers indicates high levels of satisfaction with the process and delivery of Taking Stock, which is being managed by Dairy Australia’s Regional Development Programs. More than 90% of those farmers feel confident to independently implement the action plan developed through Taking Stock.
Dairy Australia’s Group Manager Farm Productivity, People and Capability, Chris Murphy, said the offer of free one-on-one assistance through the Taking Stock program was in response to farmer requests.
“The strength of Taking Stock is that it is based on a one-to-one conversation with a trusted, skilled advisor. It gives the opportunity to take time out from the business for three or four hours and have a meaningful discussion about the current situation and plans for the future,” Mr Murphy said.
The type of analysis that Taking Stock offers includes:
- Understanding and managing your budget
- Identifying cost-saving options
- Calculating pasture consumption
- Managing debt and your balance sheet
- Working with the people in your business
- Understanding additional support services that can be accessed, including counselling and health services
- Creating an action plan