Posted by on
10/04/2024
A connected industry is a strong industry, and Rabobank’s Townsville team of beef lending specialists believe there’s no better opportunity to contribute to a vibrant sector than at Beef 2024.
Area Manager Brad Pozzi said Beef 2024 afforded producers the chance to get off farm, network and gain valuable knowledge during the week-long event, and that Rabobank was looking forward to being a part of the action.
Putting agriculture first
Brad, who grew up in Greenvale and worked on properties in the area, laughs that he got his first horse at four, and was mustering by five.
It’s a sentiment shared across the Townsville team, which also consists of rural specialists Andrew Harwin, Lachlan Campbell, and Justin Spinks supported in branch by Jess Vardy and Stacey Kleinhurst, and regionally by Joe Webb – with each benefitting from strong agricultural expertise and experience.
“The strength of the Townsville team is definitely the people,” Brad believes. “Our team has a genuine passion and understanding for our clients’ and their operations, and a depth of knowledge for the industries and the regions in which we operate that is second to none.”
“We don’t just understand farming, we live and breathe it.”
With over a decade of banking experience to draw from, Brad says the bank’s sole focus on food and agri clients was a valuable point of difference, uniting staff and clients alike in a shared vision to strengthen farm businesses and the community.
“The fact that our team all hail from rural towns also provides unique insights into the value of community, and our we’re all particularly passionate about the rural communities in which our clients live and operate.”
“We are committed to supporting, attending and participating in the events which form part of the social fabric that is so important in these areas.”
Supporting continuous learning
The value of networking and remaining connected in a region as vast as north Queensland is not lost on the Rabobank team, which is why knowledge-sharing events and community engagement are a key priority.
Recently, Rabobank hosted a Carbon Training Workshop in the Burdekin, sponsored a grower function in Bowen and delivered a Financial Skills Workshop in Charters Towers.
The two-day Carbon Training Workshop helped build knowledge on the fundamentals of carbon in farming, including the science and carbon calculations – and how it may relate to farm businesses.
“This is an evolving space where a knowledge gap exists, and the workshop provided a joint learning opportunity for clients and staff alike, learning side-by-side for a sustainable agricultural future.”
Financial Skills Workshops are a Rabobank Client Council initiative that, since 2018, have helped over 2,500 next-generation farmers and regional community members upskill their financial literacy.
“Many of our next-generation farmers are highly educated, or have extensive on-farm experience, but the nitty-gritty of understanding financial reporting and banking requirements is not always easy to access, which is why these workshops are so valuable.”
Knowledge and networking for business growth
Beef 2024 provided another important opportunity to help further strengthen farm businesses.
“Beef 2024 gives our local cattle producers the chance to see what else is out there on a global scale, and for us to leverage our local and global expertise to further support our clients through the sharing of insights and learnings at our dedicated Rabobank Marquee.”
Rabobank will be hosting the ever-popular ‘Rabobank Beef Bites’ series, which will tackle key topics such as ‘Investing in Yourself’, ‘Aligning families, growing wealth and protecting legacies’, and ‘Growing Healthy Communities’.
“These are just some of the complex and key issues facing our industry, and providing thought-provoking discussions and potential solutions to help support Australian farming families and communities is at the heart of Rabobank’s core values,” Brad said.
Trusted relationships for growth
Offering value that extends far beyond finance, Brad said Rabobank’s business relationship with clients was unlike any he’d experienced.
“We’re out on-farm at every chance, working hand-in-hand with our clients as they navigate everything from succession planning to market volatility, helping ensure their business is structured for a strong future, and we’re supporting them with their farm business goals.
“In ag, things move fast, and we work together to get the job done, and for a good outcome for our clients,” he explained. “I’d never hear anyone in this team say ‘but that’s not my job’, and that attitude reflects the Rabobank difference.”