Financial Services SA Pty Ltd

20/10/2026

Rabobank's latest Rural Confidence Survey shows farmer sentiment has improved across Australia, helped by better seasonal conditions and optimism around commodity prices.

And here in South Australia, we recorded the strongest improvement in the country, with confidence moving back into positive territory. After the seasons we've had, that's welcome news.

But better conditions bring another set of decisions. Do you replace the machinery you've been putting off?

Rabobank found 28% of Australian farmers plan to increase investment over the next 12 months, with spending being considered across infrastructure, technology, machinery, livestock and water.

There's nothing wrong with investing when the opportunity is there.

Just make sure it fits the bigger plan. The good years are when you have the opportunity to prepare for the not-so-good ones.

Before committing to the next big purchase, take some time to look at your priorities, cash flow and longer-term goals.

Sometimes the best investment isn't the most exciting one.

https://www.rabobank.com.au/news/media-releases/2026/australian-farmer-confidence-stages-a-recovery-?utm_source=chatgpt.com

18/10/2026

I've worked with farming families for a long time and the contribution women make to agricultural businesses isn't something new.

Women have been involved in the finances, livestock, machinery, administration, strategy, family, succession and everything in between for generations.
What's changing is the recognition.

South Australia's Narelle Zanker is a great example, combining her farming and teaching backgrounds to create Dairy Adventures and help people better understand where their food comes from.

Agriculture is stronger when everyone around the table has a voice. Well deserved recognition.

https://startsat60.com/media/news/women-on-the-land-refuse-to-just-let-the-boys-do-it

15/10/2026

I came across this great story from ABC's Tasmanian Country Hour about the Gardner family, who own a large dairy, cropping and sheep property at Tunbridge.

They started talking about succession when their three kids were still in high school. Because for them, it was about protecting the family over the business.

That's something I think we can all learn from. Succession doesn't need to start with deciding who gets what.

Start with a conversation.

Do the kids actually want to farm?
What does Mum and Dad's future look like?
Where does everyone see themselves in 10 years?
What happens if someone's plans change?

You don't need to have all the answers today.

But the earlier you start talking, the more time you've got to work through the difficult stuff without being forced into decisions under pressure.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/tas-country-hour/farm-succession/107124602?utm_source=chatgpt.com

13/10/2026

You can have the goals written down, the budget prepared and a clear idea of where you want the business to go.

Then something changes.
It doesn’t rain. Prices move. Interest rates change. A key employee leaves. Someone gets sick. Or the next generation decides they want something different.

Some things are within our control. Plenty aren’t.

That’s why I’m a big believer in contingency planning.

It isn’t about expecting everything to go wrong. It’s about asking the question: If this happens, what are we going to do?

A good plan gives you direction. A good contingency plan gives you options.

And when circumstances change, having options can make all the difference.

https://financialservicessa.com.au/2026/09/29/when-the-plan-doesnt-go-to-plan-why-every-business-needs-a-plan-b/

12/10/2026

Farming can be a bloody tough job. You're dealing with weather, finances, machinery, staff, family, markets and things you have absolutely no control over.

The latest discussion around farmer wellbeing is another reminder that we need to keep checking in on each other. That doesn't always mean having a big conversation.

Sometimes it's a phone call. A coffee. Stopping at the pub. Or simply asking a mate, “How are you really going?”

And if business or financial pressure is part of what's keeping you awake at night, don't wait until everything feels impossible before talking to someone.

There are people who can help.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/one-in-three-aussie-farmers-battle-psychological-distress-as-new-wellbeing-push-launches/news-story/07c0c31fb45ea052a10125fc28869026

11/10/2026

After reflecting on the year, I'm a bit chuffed to see my thoughts on succession planning published by Inside Small Business.

After more than 30 years working with farming families and businesses, succession is one of those topics I keep coming back to and one thing I've learnt is that succession planning isn't just about retirement.

Most of us are reasonably comfortable talking about the future we expect.

When will I retire? Will the kids take over? Will we sell? How do we transfer ownership?

They're important conversations. But there's another conversation that's usually a bit harder:

If the person who normally makes the decisions suddenly can't, who can speak to the bank? Who can authorise payments? Who talks to employees, suppliers and clients? Who actually keeps the business moving?

That's the difference between planned succession and emergency succession.

One protects the legacy you're building. The other protects the continuity of the business if something unexpected happens.

https://insidesmallbusiness.com.au/latest-news/emergency-succession-vs-planned-succession-why-your-business-needs-both

10/10/2026

Sometimes you need to look at an old problem in a completely different way.

I came across this Australian Story on farmer Peter Andrews and his approach to restoring drought-affected land.

Peter developed what became known as Natural Sequence Farming, working with the landscape to slow water down, allow more of it to soak into the land and rebuild the natural processes that help landscapes retain moisture.

What I like about this story isn't just the farming technique. It's the thinking behind it.

Peter spent decades challenging the accepted way of doing things. His ideas weren't always embraced, but he kept testing them, learning and adapting. There's a lesson in that for any farming or family business.

Sometimes we've been doing something the same way for 20 or 30 years because that's simply how we've always done it. But circumstances change.

Technology changes. Seasons change. Markets change. Businesses change.

You don't have to chase every new idea that comes along. But keeping an open mind, learning from what others are doing and being prepared to challenge your own thinking can create opportunities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4OBcRHX1Bc

09/10/2026

I've always thought the better years are when some of the most important business decisions should be made.When things improve, there can be a temptation to simply breathe a sigh of relief and keep going.

Instead, that's often the opportunity to ask: Can we rebuild cash reserves? Can we reduce some debt? What capital expenditure actually needs doing? What risks are still sitting in the business?Is it time to finally start that succession conversation?

Planning isn't only something you do when things aren't going well. A good year can give you the opportunity to prepare for the next difficult one.

https://dynamicbusiness.com/news/after-a-brutal-quarter-farmers-are-feeling-better-about-the-year-ahead

08/10/2026

Electronic identification requirements are another reminder that farming businesses are constantly dealing with changes outside the farm gate.

Some are big. Some seem relatively small. But every new requirement can mean changes to systems, equipment, record keeping, staff time and potentially costs.

My view with these things is pretty simple...Don't leave it until the week before you have to do it.

Understand what's changing, what it means for your operation and what you need to have in place. A little preparation generally beats a last-minute scramble.

This is branded content for Government of South Australia South Australian sheep and goat producers can access practical...

07/10/2026

For many farming businesses, particularly during harvest, labour isn't something you can simply find at the last minute. That's why the current discussion around Working Holiday Maker visa changes matters to agriculture. You still need people to get the job done.

And this is where contingency planning becomes important. If your business relies heavily on seasonal workers, it's worth asking:

1. What happens if we can't get the numbers we normally need?
2. Which jobs absolutely have to be covered?
3. What would a labour shortage cost the business?
4. Are there alternative workforce options?
5. What's Plan B?

You can't control every policy change, season or labour shortage. You can control how prepared the business is to respond.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-19/ag-industry-warns-food-insecurity-working-holiday-maker-change/107168562