September is a funny month. There’s the optimism of crops coming through but harvest is also looming, expenses are stacking up.
That makes this the exact time to stop and take stock, sit down with the numbers, and plan because once the headers roll, it’s all systems go.
What Pre-Harvest Review Really Means…
It’s a real, boots-on-the-ground look at how your farm is running. What’s working, what’s costing you too much, what’s breaking down, and what opportunities are on the horizon.
It’s about looking beyond this year’s crop to ask questions like…
- Do we have the machinery and maintenance schedule in place to get through harvest without major downtime?
- Are we prepared if we get a weather event that slows everything down?
- Have we budgeted for inputs properly, or are we just crossing our fingers that grain prices will bail us out?
- Have we reviewed our contingency plans?
These are questions that save families from sleepless nights when harvest fires up.
I know plenty of good operators who say, “Dibbo, I don’t do budgets, I just get on with the work.” And sure, you might know your costs in your head, but a budget is more than numbers on a page. It’s a tool for making decisions and activating your contingency strategies if needed.
A solid budget will tell you if you can afford to grab that extra block of land when it comes up, or if you’re better off waiting another season and it will give you confidence when you sit down with the bank. Using tools like CliMate can help with your decision making around that extra Urea or not.
Since the Banking Royal Commission, banks aren’t as flexible as they once were. They need to see that you’ve done your homework. A clear, well-prepared budget is your ticket to being taken seriously.
So don’t leave it until the wheels fall off! It takes time for you to prepare and it can take the Banks just as long if not longer to process any request. You want to be at the front of the cue demanding attention, not left waiting for them to have free time to assess your request.
My Two Tips for September…
- Before harvest kicks into gear, sit down with your accountant, your agronomist, and yes, even your finance bloke. Do the review. Get the budget sorted.
- Put contingency plans on paper. Once it’s out of your head and into a plan you can face any issue with the confidence that you have it sorted.
The families who come through trials stronger are the ones who plan for them.
If you would like to chat about pre-harvest planning or getting your business “bank ready,” I encourage you to contact me on 08 8253 2906 or email info@financialservicessa.com.au.
