Regional Roundup - May 2017

What we do

Rural Financial Counselling Services are:

Free, independent and confidential
Staffed by qualified and experienced Rural Financial Counsellors (RFCs) who understand farming and business – our RFCs are required to have a Diploma of Financial Counselling as minimum qualification, and have years of experience in assisting farming businesses
For primary producers of livestock, milk, honey, fruit, crops, wool, meat, vegetables, eggs, fish, plants, trees and logs
For small businesses who mainly support primary production such as: fencing, shearing sheep, controlling weeds or agricultural pests, managing stock, planting crops etc.
Able to assist farm or small agribusinesses experiencing or at risk of financial hardship
Able to come to your place of business or you can come and see us.

Assistance when

Rural Financial Counselling Services can assist businesses affected by:

Drought/water issues
Low commodity prices
Natural disasters
Structural adjustment
Industry downturns
Low equity/tight cash flow
Difficulties with lenders or access to finance
Unpaid creditors/debtors
Market disruptions
Changes in personal circumstances
Farm accidents or illness
Share farming/succession agreements/ contracts.

How can we help you

Rural Financial Counselling Services can help you:

Understand your financial position and the viability of your enterprise
Identify options to improve your financial position
Develop a plan to implement your chosen options, and implement that plan
Provide information, referrals, and support to access, government or industry grants and programs
Assist you to deal (whether through meetings or otherwise) with lending institutions in relation to:
- Applications and contracts with those institutions; and
- Processes relating to farm debt mediation
Assist you to identify the need for advice from professional service providers, and provide support with preparation for meetings with professional service providers.

News

NE Regional Soil Health Conference

NECMA conference

North East Regional Soil Health Conference - 14 May 2021 at Beechworth is for ALL land managers, agriculture industry groups and soil health service providers in North East Victoria.
Read more ...

Farm Finance getting prepared 2021 Webinar

Farm Finance

The team at the Young Farmer Business Network have put together a series of sessions designed to build skills in financial planning and business resilience for your farm business.
Read more ...

Details: Published: 31 May 2017; Last Updated: 31 August 2017

blog rru

Regional Round-up is a monthly newsletter providing an overview into the environmental and business conditions affecting farmers and rural businesses in the Goulburn Valley and North East Victoria.

Dairy

RFCs report cash positions are tightening as cows dry off and milk production drops along with income. With already reduced herd numbers and export heifers sold there are few alternatives income streams available right now for dairy farmers.

Next financial year’s opening milk price announcements have commenced and currently range from $4.70 up to $5.70kg/ms. Dairy farmers who will receive a return in the higher price range have expressed a sense of relief and improving confidence, whilst those who will receive the lower price claim it is below the cost of production and cashflow will remain tight for some time yet. Even with the higher prices many predict an improvement in cashflow will not occur until the end of the calendar year or later.

Cropping/Sheep

Weather reports suggest lower soil moisture may quickly reach saturation point with further rain however upper soil moisture is slightly drier. Some croppers are looking for more followup rain however the season appears to be progressing as expected for most and sowing is largely completed now.

Horticulture

For some orchardist the harvest continues with apples still being harvested, this is very unusual so late in the year. There are plenty of good news stories emerging within the fruit industry involving growth and expansion for well established orchards.

Beef

Whilst a slight drop in beef price was recorded for the month, prices remain high and above long term average and reports indicate global markets will support current levels throughout winter.

Small Business

On the 2 May 2017 MG announced the closure of three factories two in Victoria and one in Tasmania. The two Victorian factories are located in Rochester and Kiewa. Along with the large number of direct and indirect job losses in and around these towns factory closures will also negatively impact on local economies with significant loss of business income estimated for small businesses in the local towns.