NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, centre, with FBRP participants, sheep producers Gus and Aleena Greenway.

NEW South Wales farmers will have access to a new round of personalised business coaching under the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments’ Farm Business Resilience Program to improve business performance, build resilience and plan for long-term success.

The FBRP Coaching Program empowers farmers to make more confident business decisions, reduce financial risk, and prepare for, manage, and recover from drought, so they can build stronger farm businesses and communities.

As part of the service, an experienced coach or specialist adviser, matched to the farmer’s industry and region, works with them one-to-one or in a small group to turn their farm business plan into action.

Gunnedah sheep grazier Gus Greenway said the family’s finewool Merino business has greatly benefited from the tailored coaching we received through the Farm Business Resilience Program.

“The personalised business coaching gave us the confidence to make changes to our pasture and feed practices which have improved animal weight gain and wool quality.

“This has placed our property and business in a stronger financial and operational position against unpredictable market and climatic conditions,” he said.

Since its launch in 2021, the NSW Farm Business Resilience Program has supported the development of more than 2600 farm business plans and engaged more than 30,000 participants across 5300 coaching sessions and events.

The program has also helped about 1800 NSW farm businesses through practical learning activities, including business coaching, farm assessments, peer learning groups, farm visits, succession planning, risk management and Bank Ready workshops.

Participants also receive practical tools to support cash flow, budgeting, drought preparedness and farm business planning and access to mental health support through the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

Capacity-building workshops in regional NSW to help farmers develop a business plan in preparation for the coaching program will be held on:

• Tuesday 29 September — Financial Decision Making — Lismore
• Wednesday 7 October — Growing Success: Farm Business Planning Essentials Online — Online
• Wednesday 21 October — Growing Success: Farm Business Planning Essentials Online — Online

Expressions of interest to participate in the coaching program are now open.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the NSW Government understands the challenges our farmers are facing, with climate change driving more frequent, severe and prolonged droughts and an increase in business pressures, including the current fuel and fertiliser disruption.

“Farmers are the backbone of the NSW economy, and this coaching program is designed to equip them with the practical skills, confidence and tools they need to manage risk, make informed decisions, and build long-term economic, environmental and social resilience.”

For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/fbrp