Tuesday, 20 December 2016 09:12

Keep in control of your finances

Written by 
Carolyn Bushell. Carolyn Bushell.

Helping farm owners, managers, contract milkers and sharemilkers feel in control of their finances is the aim of the game for the next round of Dairy Women’s Network dairy modules in early 2017.

The Network is running a series of workshops called ‘Build you budget; take control’ throughout the country to give those who attend a chance to connect with their peers and those in the sector who know their numbers and how to create annual budgets.

“This module is a really exciting one as it has an online component and a two-hour workshop get together. We know everyone is really busy on farm and we are combining the flexibility of online with the fun and support of getting together to learn the how to build your budget,” said project leader and DWN member Lynda Clark.

“We have designed a very practical module for farmers who want to feel more confident and competent around knowing their numbers, and making their money work for them now and into the future.

“The main focus is on creating annual cash budgets but also identifying support networks and mentors, doing stock reconciliations and also doing a monthly cash flow – plus finding out what and where those resources are that are out there.”

Te Kauwhata farmers Carl and Jodie Goudswaard have recently done the work and as a result Jodie will be presenting the North Island workshops, while Heather McKay is presenting in the south.

“We have just recently signed up for a new sharemilking position and doing budgets was a really important part of our deliberations. It meant we could see and understand the big picture,” said Jodie.

“We were able to evaluate the opportunity that this job presented from a number of angles – including the financial opportunities.”

Clark said people would have different goals, and knowing their numbers gives farmers a chance to plan for those; whether it’s reinvesting money back into the business or thinking about whether the bottom line is showing enough to do what they want to do for their family.

DairyNZ, along with Primary ITO, is one of the funders of the financial workshops, part of a greater body of work to help farmers grow and improve their businesses.

DairyNZ senior developer for people and business, Carolyn Bushell says now, more than ever, is a good time for dairy farmers to focus on their financials. “Developing financial budgets, knowing your numbers and regularly monitoring progress is a big part of that,” said Bushell.

“We are proud to support these modules which include a blended learning approach that can offer farmers greater flexibility to build these important skills and experience with the support of DWN members.”

“Our online learning platform enables attendees to continue learning once the workshop is over. This is the beauty of a blended course delivery online; as well as enabling greater transparency, instant feedback, valuable reporting and increased versatility of content such as using smart phones,” said Primary ITO customer services general manager Alister Shennan.

To find out more and register for the financial modules that are running from February through to April, visit www.dwn.co.nz

More like this

From Sky Tower to cowshed

Every morning dairy farmer Sam Waugh sees the Auckland Sky Tower through his window. It's a great reminder of one of his key life goals - giving young people from towns and cities insights into farm life.

Celebrating dairy farmers this International Women's Day

Siobhan O’Malley is a dairy farmer, innovator, businesswoman and community volunteer, an example of the thousands of Kiwi dairy farming women throughout New Zealand who multi-task every day to contribute positively to their communities.

Unique dairy farms open their gates

A dairy farm working to increase endangered skink numbers and a boutique farm selling milk in recycled bottles will open their gates to the public this Sunday.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter