Posted by on
19/08/2024
With the Rabobank Shepparton team all hailing from an agri background, their lived experience drives a genuine passion for agriculture, and supporting local producers.
A team with dirt under its nails
Megan Hodge, the region’s area manager, is a proud local, having grown up on a beef operation. Today she remains involved in the family farm, as well as the irrigated and dryland cropping property she shares with her partner.
She has a deep appreciation for the challenges her clients face, as well as the wonderful opportunities farming affords – a sentiment shared across the entire branch.
“From Roger Robinson who has been with the team for eight years and grew up on a Mungindi cropping operation in northwest NSW, to Bob Knowles who has expertise in cattle, hydrogeology and water resource management, each of our staff brings a different experience and fresh perspective.”
Kate Hemphill is another born and bred local now contributing to the industry, on farm and off.
“Kate remains involved in her family’s irrigated cropping operation, whilst enjoying a meaningful off farm career with Rabobank.”
“It’s this practical experience coupled with agri banking expertise that underpins a unique appreciation for our clients – their businesses, challenges, opportunities – and even their daily lifestyle.”
The whole team values getting out on-farm and doing business ‘around the kitchen table’, supporting clients to achieve their business goals, and, as Megan explains, clients also benefit from a dedicated manager, ensuring continuity and consistency in this shared vision.
“There’s nothing more exciting than working through the range of options available to our clients to grow their businesses, whether it’s through diversification, buying more land or investing off-farm.”
“We have clients who have been with us from their very first farm purchase and are now onto their fifth farm acquisition, and to have been a part of this growth is a real thrill.”
“Our farmers are well-educated and technologically sophisticated, and it’s exciting to work so closely with them to achieve their goals and best practice and support agriculture towards a more sustainable future.”
Yet Megan said the team is acutely aware that helping clients navigate challenging times is as important as leveraging opportunity during the good years.
“As a bank dedicated to agriculture, we know farming requires long-term vision,” she says.
“Our region has endured major flooding in recent years, and our towns and farms have been at the coalface of the Murray Darling Basin Plan – as locals, we feel these impacts and want nothing more than to ensure our local farm businesses, and communities remain vibrant and resilient.”
Expert agri insights delivered locally
To have the ear of the world’s top agricultural analysts provides valuable market insights, and Megan explains that it’s just one of the unique opportunities Shepparton producers have to support on-farm decision-making.
“This year we’ve welcomed RaboResearch Analyst Mick Harvey, US Animal Protein Analyst Lance Zimmerman, Australian Animal Protein Analyst Angus Gidley-Baird, and General Manager of RaboResearch Stefan Vogel to the region.”
RaboResearch’s Michael Harvey and Angus Gidley-Baird
“Tapping into RaboResearch knowledge and forecasts provides great market intel, and the fact our analysts are so accessible to clients is where the real value lies – the opportunity to have those one-on-one conversations and really pick their brains is invaluable.”
“The relationship between our clients and analysts is such that many have Mick Harvey’s mobile number, and he’s always so generous with his time and knowledge, which is well appreciated.
Upskilling opportunities for strong farm businesses
Rabobank’s Carbon Training Workshops help clients and staff alike gain a basic understanding of carbon in farming, and the opportunities and challenges it may present.
“This initiative has been extremely beneficial, and gives clients access to information early in the journey so they can anticipate what is potentially to come in regards to market and supply chain access.”
“These carbon workshops also provide farmers with the tools to calculate their carbon emissions footprint thanks to Rabobank’s pilot project with Ruminati.”
Rabo Client Council Financial Skills Workshops are another initiative helping ensure the vitality of industry, and community, with the complimentary workshops open to all.
“The Financial Skills Workshops are focussed around interactive learning, and while not too onerous on participants, they provide excellent information on all aspects of farm business finance – from budgeting, equity positions, and the types of information required when requesting a loan.”
With so many of the next generation stepping into family farms and management positions, Megan says there’s excitement and optimism in abundance across the region, and the Shepparton branch are proud to be supporting such a progressive local agricultural industry.
Your local Rabo teams including Shepparton will be at the upcoming Henty Field Days at Site 645 and look forward to catching up - come and join us for a cuppa and a chat.