Victoria's beef and sheep producers in the north-east and south-west are encouraged to sign up to a comprehensive farm business performance program.
Agriculture Victoria Project Leader BetterBeef Network Darren Hickey said the 'Ace' program is for producers who want to better understand the profitability of their business and make positive strategic change, as well as sharpen existing or pick up new financial management skills.
Mr Hickey said the practical hands-on nature of the program means producers can apply what they learn immediately.
'Two Ace groups are being established now in the north-east and south-west, with the program running from early March through until June,' he said.
During the six half-day workshops participants will:
- Complete a business health check
- Undertake a comprehensive analysis of the production and financial performance of their business
- Identify where their business performance can be improved.
- Learn how to assess business risk and build risk into decision making
- Access one-on-one personal support from one of Victoria's leading agricultural consultants
- Develop a clear action plan for their own business
- Make new friends and industry contacts.
The Ace program will be delivered by Paul Blackshaw from Meridian Agriculture who has many years of experience working with producers in farm business management.
The program cost is $350 + GST per farm business and is subsidised by the Victorian Government's Smarter, Safer Farms initiative through its skills program which provides targeted training to build capability in financial literacy, risk management, farm planning and adaption to climate change.
The fee covers six half-day workshops, up to three hours of one-one-one support, course resources and the opportunity to be included in Agriculture Victoria's Livestock Farm Monitor program.
