Northern Victorian farmers have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, free of charge, at two Rabobank workshops designed to help provide the financial skills essential to managing agricultural enterprises.
The practical Financial Skills Workshops – providing farmers with a chance to both upskill and network – will be held in Shepparton and Echuca in mid-February.
The initiative has been spearheaded and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council – a group of the bank’s farming clients who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities.
Offered at no cost to participants, the introductory, interactive workshops provide practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements, and explore topics such as taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile.
Rabobank Riverina & Northern Victoria Rabo Client Council chair Monique Bryant said financial skills “are critical for our producers and future producers”.
“These workshops provide knowledge and insight for running and managing the day-to-day aspects of agricultural businesses from a financial perspective. They also seek to attract and retain the next generation of individuals in the industry while supporting the knowledge of current producers,” Ms Bryant said.
“Since commencing these workshops 2018, the Rabo Client Councils have delivered this learning opportunity to more than 3000 farmers across Australian and New Zealand.
“Attendees at previous workshops have told us the information provided through the workshops is real and valuable – meaningful knowledge they can walk away with and use in the business.”
Ms Bryant said, for farmers, having a greater understanding of their business when approaching financiers can also help when applying for any additional finance requirements or to fund a new venture.
Rabobank regional manager Sally Bull said the workshop content had been tailored to farming businesses in northern Victoria through realistic case studies.
“Through these case studies, the sessions will look at what makes up a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and cash flow,” she said, “and interpreting the financial ratios to make calculated business decisions.
“This then feeds into sessions on how banks assess a loan application and the importance of developing a business plan, as well as managing the business through adversity and positioning the business when the season improves.”
“If you’re interested in these workshops, keen to meet other progressive farmers in the agri sector and increase your financial literacy and skills – confirm your place before the courses are fully allocated.”
The workshops – which will be limited to 30 participants each and are not restricted to the bank’s clients – will be presented by director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson.
Workshop dates and locations are:
- Monday, 13 February 2023 - 9:00am – 3:00pm – Shepparton
- Tuesday, 14 February 2023 - 9:00am – 3:00pm – Echuca
To register to participate in the workshops, please click here.
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 120 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of approximately 8.4 million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 90 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Media contacts:
Denise Shaw
Head of Media Relations
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 8115 2744 or 0439 603 525
Email: denise.shaw@rabobank.com
Will Banks
Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia
Phone: 0418 216 103
Email: will.banks@rabobank.com