Rabobank business programs open

The two courses have graduated more than 1300 farmers from Australia and New Zealand over the past 25 years.

The Executive Development Program has been developed for farm business owners or senior managers, and the Farm Managers Program is designed for up-and-coming farmers.

Both courses are designed to equip participants with the latest in business management thinking.

Rabobank Australia and New Zealand regional manager Mark Wiessing said both programs allowed the coming together of like-minded producers from across the two countries within a variety of different sectors.

Mr Wiessing said it was important for farmers to remain focused on the ‘big picture’ after 2023 saw many dealing with the impacts of volatile commodity markets and variable climatic conditions.

He said the program supported those wanting to have plans in place for the long-term viability of their business.

“It is vital farmers have the opportunity to step back for a few days from the day-to-day operational side of the business to refresh the mindset and develop strategies to ensure the business remains resilient going into the future,” Mr Wiessing said.

The EDP will be delivered in Sydney as two separate week-long modules held over two consecutive years, with the first model delivered in August this year.

The program will cover topics such as strategic planning, financial management, communication, governance, negotiation, global trends, sustainability/carbon emissions, innovation and risk.

Mr Wiessing said partners of EDP participants were invited to join the program for the final two days of the second module in 2025, allowing them to work together on topics such as succession planning, resilience and human resource management.

EDP alumni and winner of the prestigious 2023 Dr John Morris Business Development Prize Sam Conway believes networking opportunities are one of the strengths of the program.

Mr Conway is CEO of Boolah Farms, an integrated farm management, grain-handling and broadacre contracting business.

“It’s one thing learning from a textbook, but the knowledge gained from networking opportunities and honest and frank discussions with peers is often invaluable,” Mr Conway said.

“It was such an impressive network of people participating in the course, all from various agricultural sectors including industries I have very little exposure to.”

Mr Conway said the robust discussions within the group on implementation, challenges and solutions was where the real value lay.

“The learning environment contributed to discussions that were honest and open, and we soon realised many business impacts tended to be quite universal.”

The week-long Farm Managers Program will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley in mid-June.

The course has been developed for primary producers in the earlier stages of their career wanting to build management skills and increase their confidence and ability to influence business decisions.

Enrolment in both programs is set to be highly contested, with farmers selected from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.

Applications for both programs are open until March 22 this year.

The Executive Development Program will be held in Sydney from August 25 to 30, followed by its second module from July 27 to August 1, 2025.

The Farm Managers Program will be held in the Yarra Valley from June 16 to 21.

For further information and applications, visit: https://www.rabobank.com.au/agribusiness/business-management-programs