Posted by on
12/08/2024
Rabobank’s Central West NSW team, with branches in Forbes and Orange.
Farming businesses are unique, and for a rural manager, a deep understanding of the complexities that underpin a strong rural business is key.
With Rabobank’s Central West team all hailing from farming backgrounds, theirs is a first-hand agribusiness expertise that can’t be replicated.
Area Manager Mark Harris, who grew up on a Molong family farming operation, said the local knowledge across the entire Central West team was highly valuable when supporting the region’s farmers.
“The best way we can help our clients is by understanding their business, and knowing the right questions to ask to effectively support their aspirations and goals.”
Rural Manager Edward McKellar grew up on a Grenfell family farm, while Senior Rural Manager Matt Simshauser hails from a Narrabri cropping property, later diversifying into beef at Gloucester.
Senior Rural Manager Mat Tilley owns and operates a small cattle operation at Eugowra, and Shirley Jones is on secondment from New Zealand, bringing with her a wealth of fresh ideas and energy from her dairy heartland region.
She is currently filling in while Rebecca Ryan is on leave.
“Shirley has been an exciting addition to the team, and exemplifies Rabobank’s global network, she comes with different ideas, knowledge and client stories, which we can all learn from and apply locally.”
As a bank dedicated solely to agricultural clients, the team has an acute appreciation for the cyclical nature of agriculture, and as Mark attests, “we’re in it for the long-haul.”
“We’re generational bankers and there’s nothing that makes us prouder than seeing young farmers coming back to the farm.”
“It’s a great feeling to be able to support like-minded people, see them succeed and know that their business will be there for the next five years, or fifty years.”
Central NSW – Centre of the Universe
Mark believes there’s no better place to live, work, or farm than Central West NSW, with the local agricultural sector enjoying a diversity of opportunities.
“Local producers have the ability to try their hand at a number of options from Merinos to cotton, grains, oilseeds, beef, fat lambs – if they’re willing, there are plenty of different ways to turn a dollar in the region.”
With branches in both Forbes and Orange, Mark said the strong regional team spent much of their week on-farm visiting clients, preferring to do business “around the kitchen table”.
He said technology had advanced the region’s efficiency and profitability significantly over recent years, and that it was always exciting getting on-farm and sharing in this progression first-hand.
Carbon was also a rapidly evolving conversation within the region, particularly the challenges and opportunities the carbon market presents, and its impact on local farm businesses going forward.
Sharing knowledge for stronger farm businesses
Last year, Rabobank held Carbon Training Workshops in Forbes and Orange aimed to build a basic understanding of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon.
With a lot of interest in the topic, the bank is pleased to offer more workshops again this year in collaboration with Ruminati.
“Everyone wants to learn, and are realising that the imperative to reduce emissions is becoming part of the value chain, and everyone who attended our workshop was able to walk away with a better understanding of their options.”
“Our clients value the insights and knowledge that events such as this afford, it supports them in making long-term decisions, in a business built around long-term decision making.”
A grass-roots approach to community support
The Rabo Client Council – a client-based local volunteer committee that advises the bank on how to best support the community – has also delivered a number of initiatives across the region recently.
These include complimentary Financial Skills Workshops specific to running a farm business, rural mental wellness sessions with Mary O’Brien of ‘Are You Bogged Mate’ and bringing the Heart of Australia truck to Forbes for free heart and health checks.
The local Rabo Client Council is also a generous supporter of Boys to the Bush, a Forbes and Bathurst based charity that focuses on preventative and early intervention strategies for ‘disengaged’ young males.
Supporting The Heart of Australia truck for free local heart and health checks.
Rabobank’s point of difference is undoubtedly its commitment to supporting clients and the community far beyond expectations.
“People are always surprised at the additional value Rabobank provides – from helping upskilling our next generation, to regular knowledge-sharing and networking events, to meaningful contribution in our local region.”
“These are the communities we’ve chosen to call home, and we want to see them thrive as equally as our clients.”
Please contact your local Forbes or Orange team to learn more about our upcoming Rabobank Emissions Calculator Workshops, and our agribusiness knowledge-sharing events with our team of RaboResearch analysts and economists.