The reasons for generating great farm profits are simpler than you might think!

Back to Overview

Posted by Brendon Walsh on 14 November 2016

Farming family 1 resized

The general lack of profitability in our sheep and beef farm businesses are well known and well written about. I’ve blogged about it plenty of times myself. So, putting that aside, I’d like to speak directly with sheep and beef farmers and those that provide direct support to them in some form. I want to explore the idea of why you would or why you wouldn’t go beyond where you are now, to generate the profits you really wished you could generate. I say that because no matter how much we paint our farmers in a positive light (and they are great people in a very honourable profession), most show poor profitability from their businesses and are nowhere near where they really want to be in life.

To move from lack of results to the results we really want, we need a reason. The first major reason why anyone would do anything is because they are personally motivated to do so. That personal motivation for the change must be greater than the immediate desire for familiarity and comfort. Going through the change must be highly important to us, and that’s where we come to the real “why.” That why must be so strong that we overcome the inertia against the change. We all have a challenge with change, unless the outcome is highly desirable.

Now, as a farmer (or anyone for that matter) you won’t step up and become better at business because someone told you to or because that is what more and more industry people are saying. You do it because you value the outcomes that it provides you with i.e. who you become, what you can do or what you can have. In other words, the life and the opportunities that you really want.

Other stuff like more spare cash, nicer toys, overseas travel, a bach etc (i.e. the “things” in life) may drive you but if you step up enough, learn and do it well, these can be enjoyed AS BY PRODUCTS ANYWAY. Greater profits (meaning more spare cash) provide resources and more choices around those things. Profit is one of the major means to you achieving what is most important to you. Your main goal will be something around setting your life up how you really want it, whatever that looks like for you.

As a sheep and beef farmer, view the farm as a business first and as a farm second. A well-functioning and profitable business will provide the things you really want e.g lifestyle, security, opportunities, travel, family time, the time and resources to indulge in hobbies, the support of causes. The daily actions you take on your farm will be those things that help create those results for you as move through your life. Why would you do anything else?

Those who don’t step up and achieve what they say they want often make that choice (even if subconsciously) for the same reasons. It is more important to stay comfortable, or not risk failure or criticism than it is to go beyond where they are now. But hey, no problem because as businesses owners we get to make our own decisions.

Don’t let the lack of knowledge of how to step up and achieve, or the current perceived lack of help or resources stop you from making a go of it. Those things are available if you get out and look for them. It always comes back to what you really want and therefore the personal motivation to go and do something about it.

So, what’s most important to you above all else? What would make you go beyond where you are now and do what you need to do to make it happen? I urge you to seriously consider this stuff because identifying and focusing on it will lead you down the path of doing what it takes. It will also help you to stay the course in getting it done!

What is the alternative? Well, if nothing changes, nothing changes! You continue to get what you have always got up until now. Ask yourself, “is that what I really want?” “Is that what all this investment of time, energy, money and family effort has been all about?”

Only you can decide the answers for you, but make sure you ask these questions of yourself. You and your family’s future depends on it!

If you are curious about how the GrowFARM® System can help sheep and beef farmers generate the profits they really want, contact me here.

Tags: , , , ,

Post your comment

Comments

  • I'm reading Napoleon Hill's book 'Think and Grow Rich' and he says what Brendon does. Nap uses the word 'desire' which may have gained different connotations since he wrote it in 1937, but 'want' means exactly the same these days. If you want more profit enough, then what it takes to get it will suddenly appear obvious, whether it is Brendon's system or something else. But remember, it's over to you to think it out and go for it, and Brendon's system is not expensive when the profits start rolling in and you feel in control of your business.

    Posted by Sue Edmonds, 15/11/2016 8:27am (7 years ago)