ANZ managing director commercial and agri Graham Turley sees a move to more formal structures in larger businesses – a separation of operational, management and governance roles.
“This allows a clear focus on addressing the big people issues, such as family succession and finding and keeping experienced staff.
“Smaller firms may struggle to gain access to the expertise and resources they need to up-skill. A solution for many lies in collaboration with like-minded businesses or through sector groups or other structures which help to integrate the supply chain.”
The ANZ Barometer also found many farmers are interested in buying more land. And the emergence of profit as an overriding objective means there is also an increased willingness to improve farm infrastructure.
“In the coming year farmers will continue to invest in improving efficiency and lifting production in areas such as pasture and animal genetics. But we’re also seeing more farmers wanting to invest in improving water security, environmental compliance, infrastructure and land use change such as cow housing and standoff facilities,” Turley says. – Sudesh Kissun