Change for the Better - Tim & Kim Barker
Focussed change has become a way of life for GrowFARM Clients Tim and Kim Barker in their quest for a better family life and control of their own future.
The Barkers, who farm near Tokanui in Southland, use the GrowFARM System to grow themselves, generate profit and build business owner thinking. Tim explains, “Although we still have a way to go, we are generating a much higher profit than we ever thought we could and we have a lot of flexibility. This is important as it frees up time for the family, makes life more enjoyable, provides a real interest for us and I feel fresher! My time management is far better too. We are in a better position to pay off debts and keep more of our earnings! This all gives more and better options for me and my family.”
Tim and Kim used to run a traditional system with a capital flock of 1800 ewes and 200 hinds at the opposite corner of the province. In 2008 they purchased their current property and chose to learn and implement the 6 Profit Principles in their own way. “We really had to do something because we couldn’t see a viable future doing what we were doing. Our future depended on it!” adds Kim.
The Barkers run a mix of lambs, cattle and ewes (from lambing to weaning), depending on available profit periods. “We aim to fully feed every animal when they are profitable and that has made a huge difference to our results and our thinking. Alongside that we use other animals (and a small amount of baleage and toppings sold to neighbouring dairy farms) for pasture control and/or setting up for opportunities. I have really learned that you can't have the same class of stock being fully fed for profit and maintaining pasture control! If you need control you need other stock classes, not your profit animals,” continues Tim.
When obstacles arise (as they invariably do in farming), Tim isn’t as phased as he used to be. “Challenges are a chance to grow. When I have an issue or am not sure how to put opportunities in place, I first talk it through with Kim. I then sometimes throw ideas around with other GrowFARM clients. The weekly coaching call with Brendon is great to question my ideas and help me keep on track. I communicate with others in my business team a lot more - my banker and stock agents especially. A big one for me is putting trust into my ProfitLIVE figures (the live online business analysis system). The GrowFARM system is there to help you make a profit so why wouldn't you do it?! You don't make the changes if you are scared of too much grass. The figures will show if something is profitable or not. There is no point in having most of your animals eating grass if they drop in value, or if they increase in value less than the cost of feeding them.”
Tim has learned a few key points that he knows holds true regardless of the season or markets. “You can never have enough grass. If you have grass you have options. A balanced, biologically active soil enhances our consistency in this. I have also learned that I have to put plans A, B, C & D into place in case A & B don't work out. Every year is different. This year is 4 weeks earlier in terms of pasture growth, than last year. Banking profit from animals is all about causing a value change greater than the cost of feeding the animals, every day.”
“I see so much value in GrowFARM,” says Tim. “The systems are user-friendly, easy to follow, and provide a simple way of looking at your farm business. ProfitLIVE is a great recording system. You can see the value of our business and our profit right there in front of you, every day, live. You can forecast scenario changes any time day or night. I now make solid projections based on my lessons and increasing knowledge. My decisions are getting better and better.”
“The coaching keeps you growing but also accountable to yourself, your wife and your whole farming system. The Client Mastermind Groups are great and allow real on-farm business discussions. They are positive and they provide things to work on.”
“I would recommend the GrowFARM System to anyone. We really want to take control of our destiny and our minds in creating quality in everything we do. GrowFARM is helping us to not only do that, but live it too.”