GRDC 2008 Planning Guide for Low-Risk Farming

DECISION-MAKING FOCUS FOR NEW FARMING GUIDE

A new low-risk farming guide has just been released

The GRDC 2008 Planning Guide for Low-Risk Farming incorporates an innovative decision-making framework designed to help cropping farmers with key risk and management decisions for the coming season.

“The aim is to help growers work though through a decision-making process that will lead to the best possible outcomes this season,” said Geoff Thomas, Project Manager for the Collaboration Project.

“To achieve this they need to identify and address the essential decisions needed to prepare their farm businesses for the 2008 season and as the basis for their discussions with the bank.

“Agronomy is only part of farming, as the experiences of last season have highlighted.

“There is no point in focusing on agronomy if the key issue is long-term viability or whether to continue farming or to lease or share farm.

“Many important management decisions need to be made now, well ahead of seeding, and the guide is structured to help growers work through these vital pre-planning decisions as well as address the agronomic challenges.”

In addition to the decision-making framework the guide contains the latest information on finance, marketing, risk management, how to maximise benefit from limited resources, storing summer moisture, pre-sowing and post-sowing agronomy and livestock management.

This information, based on the latest research results and the practical experience from the past two seasons, was presented at a November 2007 workshop convened by the Low Rainfall Collaboration Project.

Copies of the guide are available through the Birchip, Eyre Peninsula, Condobolin, Mallee and Upper North Farming Systems Groups that are involved in the GRDC’s Low Rainfall Collaboration Project.

The guide is avaliable in hard copy by contacting Daryl Reardon or Rob Sanderson at CWFS on (02) 6895 1025 or email to cwfs(at)dpi.nsw.gov.au, they can be downloaded from this website and are also available on GRDC’s website www.grdc.com.au/lowriskfarming

Click to download the PDF (1517KB) GRDC 2008 Planning Guide to Low-Risk Farming