Rabobank has announced a package of support measures that will be made available to farming clients dealing with the impacts of devastating floods along the NSW Mid North Coast.

Rabobank state manager for NSW Toby Mendl&nbsp;said the specialist agribusiness bank has a range of measures in place to support clients dealing with the “record-breaking floods” across the region.

He said this support would be extended to other parts of NSW, as needed, where flooding and localised intense rainfall is impacting other areas within the state.

Mr Mendl said the record-breaking rainfall had generated massive flooding in Mid North Coast rivers, with agricultural producers facing lost produce – chiefly milk, given restricted farm access – livestock losses and damage to farm infrastructure, fencing, pasture and crops.

“It is too early for many farmers to account for the full extent of the damage,” he said. “As farmers start the task of recovery and rebuilding from the floods in the coming weeks, the full scale of the damage will become clearer.”

“Livestock welfare is a key concern for farmers and the high-water levels are delaying farmers accounting for livestock,” Mr Mendl said. “Many rivers are still too high for farmers and support personnel to be able to access paddocks and assess stock and their condition.”

Mr Mendl said many farmers across the region have been isolated on their properties, experienced water through their homes and farm buildings and had non-fixed assets carried away by floodwaters.

“The challenge, particularly for dairy and beef farmers, in the flood-impacted areas will be sourcing fodder for their stock, as flood-damaged pastures will be slow to recover through the winter months,” he said.

Mr Mendl said additional concerns for farmers include potential damage, or loss of access, to road networks – which could affect the movement of goods into and out of the region and are critical to the local dairy sector.

Mr Mendl said while the full impacts on agricultural operations and production in the region wouldn’t be known until flood waters fully subside, Rabobank’s staff had been making contact with clients to determine how the bank could provide support.

He said the bank would work directly with individual clients whose farms or agribusinesses have been affected to provide support and offer a range of assistance measures in applicable circumstances.

‘carry on’ finance to keep viable operations running,waiver of break costs on early redemption of Farm Management Deposits to allow access to needed funds,deferral of scheduled loan payments andwaiver of fees on loan increases necessary for rebuilding operations.

Mr Mendl said Rabobank’s (All in One) rural loans were also specifically designed for farmers to provide financial flexibility to manage through times of difficulty by having the option to choose whether a repayment has the effect of reducing the loan limit and the option to apply for a fixed interest option over the whole or part of the facility.

“They are flexible, generally interest-only facilities, which allow agricultural operators to opt to pay principal reductions when they choose, which is of particular benefit in times of reduced cash flow due to adverse circumstances, such as floods,” he said.

Mr Mendl said while the bank’s rural managers were reaching out to clients in affected regions, he encouraged impacted clients to contact Rabobank where assistance was needed by contacting their local branch or phoning the bank on&nbsp;<a href="tel:1800025484" target="_blank">1800 025 484</a>.

Rabobank has announced a package of support measures that will be made available to farming clients dealing with the impacts of devastating floods along the NSW Mid North Coast.Rabobank state manager for NSW Toby Mendl&nbsp;said the specialist agribusiness bank has a range of measures in place to support clients dealing with the “record-breaking floods” across the region.He said this support would be extended to other parts of NSW, as needed, where flooding and localised intense rainfall is impacting other areas within the state.Mr Mendl said the record-breaking rainfall had generated massive flooding in Mid North Coast rivers, with agricultural producers facing lost produce – chiefly milk, given restricted farm access – livestock losses and damage to farm infrastructure, fencing, pasture and crops.“It is too early for many farmers to account for the full extent of the damage,” he said. “As farmers start the task of recovery and rebuilding from the floods in the coming weeks, the full scale of the damage will become clearer.”“Livestock welfare is a key concern for farmers and the high-water levels are delaying farmers accounting for livestock,” Mr Mendl said. “Many rivers are still too high for farmers and support personnel to be able to access paddocks and assess stock and their condition.”Mr Mendl said many farmers across the region have been isolated on their properties, experienced water through their homes and farm buildings and had non-fixed assets carried away by floodwaters.“The challenge, particularly for dairy and beef farmers, in the flood-impacted areas will be sourcing fodder for their stock, as flood-damaged pastures will be slow to recover through the winter months,” he said.Mr Mendl said additional concerns for farmers include potential damage, or loss of access, to road networks – which could affect the movement of goods into and out of the region and are critical to the local dairy sector.Mr Mendl said while the full impacts on agricultural operations and production in the region wouldn’t be known until flood waters fully subside, Rabobank’s staff had been making contact with clients to determine how the bank could provide support.He said the bank would work directly with individual clients whose farms or agribusinesses have been affected to provide support and offer a range of assistance measures in applicable circumstances.These included:‘carry on’ finance to keep viable operations running,waiver of break costs on early redemption of Farm Management Deposits to allow access to needed funds,deferral of scheduled loan payments andwaiver of fees on loan increases necessary for rebuilding operations.Mr Mendl said Rabobank’s (All in One) rural loans were also specifically designed for farmers to provide financial flexibility to manage through times of difficulty by having the option to choose whether a repayment has the effect of reducing the loan limit and the option to apply for a fixed interest option over the whole or part of the facility.“They are flexible, generally interest-only facilities, which allow agricultural operators to opt to pay principal reductions when they choose, which is of particular benefit in times of reduced cash flow due to adverse circumstances, such as floods,” he said.Mr Mendl said while the bank’s rural managers were reaching out to clients in affected regions, he encouraged impacted clients to contact Rabobank where assistance was needed by contacting their local branch or phoning the bank on&nbsp;<a href="tel:1800025484" target="_blank">1800 025 484</a>.

Banks / Credit unions

Agriculture / Forestry / Fisheries

Rabobank announces support for farming clients affected by NSW Mid North Coast floods

The financial landscape is changing, and Australian Broker Company is leading the charge. Officially launched on March 5, the company is setting a new benchmark in lead generation, providing brokers and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with high-quality, targeted leads. By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry insights, Australian Broker Company is transforming how brokers connect with clients—making the process faster, smarter, and more effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Australian Broker Company was founded to transform lead generation for brokers, using cutting-edge technology to deliver high-quality, targeted leads. The company utilises advanced data analytics, AI, and automation to streamline the lead-generation process, ensuring brokers receive only the most relevant prospects. This technology-driven approach saves time and resources and boosts conversion rates by connecting brokers with clients actively seeking financial solutions.&nbsp;

Its seamless integration with major aggregator platforms and their advanced&nbsp;CRM system gives brokers an all-in-one lead generation tool to effortlessly track, manage, and nurture leads. Its AI-powered SMS bot instantly connects with potential clients, qualifying them in real time so brokers only engage with serious prospects. The AI-driven appointment booking system takes the hassle out of scheduling, ensuring smooth interactions and fewer missed meetings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Peta, CEO of Australian Broker Company, explains what sets their platform apart:&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Technology is a game-changer in lead generation, and at Australian Broker Company, we’re making it work smarter for brokers. Our AI-driven system doesn’t just collect lead-it analysis data in real time to deliver high-quality, high-converting prospects. With 2025 set to be the year of voice agents, brokers can leverage this next wave of innovation to engage with clients faster and more effectively. No more chasing dead-end leads—our intelligent CRM ensures brokers focus on the right opportunities. This is the future of lead generation, and it’s happening now."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mandeep Sodhi, Founder and CEO of Effi, commented on the partnership:&nbsp;

"Effi has been partnering with high-traffic websites like comparison websites and property portals to generate leads for over a year. Whilst we were able to generate quality home loan leads, we realised that some brokers need more support and hands-on tips and training on how to engage online leads that are different to ones referred by their clients or partners and have the trust built already. In our discussions with Australian Broker Company, it was clear that they really understood the dynamics of the online leads and how to have a process and support in place to drive better conversion to settlement and build trust with online leads as trusted mortgage brokers. We are excited about this partnership with Australian Broker Company."&nbsp;

Australian Broker Company was born out of many brokers' frustration—wasting time on poor-quality leads that never convert. The industry was flooded with generic lead-generation models that left brokers chasing dead ends rather than closing deals. Recognising the need for a more innovative, more efficient solution, Australian Broker Company set out to change the game. The mission was simple: build a system that delivers only high-quality, pre-qualified leads, allowing brokers to focus on what they do best—helping clients secure financial solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The financial services industry is highly competitive, and many brokers find it difficult to source reliable, high-converting leads. Recognising this ongoing challenge, Australian Broker Company was created to provide a more innovative, results-driven solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The company’s mission is simple:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Reduce wasted time on low-quality prospects&nbsp;&nbsp;

Delivery leads to a balanced relationship with broker expertise and services&nbsp;&nbsp;

Use data-driven insights to improve efficiency and accuracy&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why Voice Agents Are a Game Changer for Australian Broker Company and Mortgage Brokers&nbsp;Australian Broker Company was born out of many brokers' frustration—wasting time on poor-quality leads that never convert. The industry was flooded with generic lead-generation models that left brokers chasing dead ends rather than closing deals. Recognising the need for a more innovative, efficient solution, Australian Broker Company set out to change the game. The mission was simple: build a system that delivers only high-quality, pre-qualified leads, allowing brokers to focus on what they do best—helping clients secure financial solutions.&nbsp;

With 2025 set to be the year of voice agents, Australian Broker Company is taking lead generation to the next level. AI-powered voice agents are a game changer for brokers, streamlining how they engage with clients and making the lead qualification process more efficient. Here’s how:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Instant, High-Quality Lead Engagement&nbsp;&nbsp;

Speed is crucial in lead conversion. Australian Broker Company’s voice agents engage with leads instantly, responding the moment an inquiry is made. They answer initial questions, qualify prospects in real time, and ensure brokers only spend time on serious, high-intent clients—no more cold leads—just ready-to-convert opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

24/7 Availability &amp; Consistency&nbsp;&nbsp;

Traditional lead follow-up is limited by working hours, but AI-driven voice agents operate around the clock. Whether a potential client reaches out during business hours or late at night, the voice agent delivers consistent, professional, and compliant responses every time. This means no lead gets ignored or delayed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Smarter Lead Qualification &amp; Filtering&nbsp;&nbsp;

Instead of wasting time on unqualified leads, Australian Broker Company’s AI voice agents pre-screen, and filter prospects based on their financial situation, interest level, and eligibility. This ensures that brokers only engage with clients looking for economic solutions—eliminating time-consuming, low-value interactions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coordinating meetings is often a frustrating back-and-forth process. AI voice agents can schedule appointments automatically, send reminders, and reschedule if needed. This reduces no-shows and smooths the process for brokers and clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mortgage broking is a highly regulated industry, and compliance is critical. Australian Broker Company’s AI voice agents ensure that every interaction follows compliance guidelines, provides accurate information, and records conversations for future reference. This reduces human error, improves consistency, and gives brokers added peace of mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For brokers and businesses looking to grow, voice agents provide an unmatched level of scalability. They can handle thousands of conversations simultaneously, removing bottlenecks in the lead-generation process and ensuring no missed opportunity. This allows brokers to focus on closing deals rather than chasing leads.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Personalised&nbsp;Client Experience &amp; Data Insights&nbsp;&nbsp;

Australian Broker Company’s AI voice agents don’t just automate conversations—they personalise interactions based on previous engagement, financial needs, and preferences. This helps build stronger client relationships while generating valuable data-driven insights that brokers can use to refine their sales strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The way brokers generate leads is changing forever—and Australian Broker Company is leading the charge.&nbsp;

With smart technology, AI-driven automation, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, this company is giving brokers the tools, insights, and opportunities they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving market.&nbsp;

The future of mortgage broking is here. Are you ready to be part of it?&nbsp;

The financial landscape is changing, and Australian Broker Company is leading the charge. Officially launched on March 5, the company is setting a new benchmark in lead generation, providing brokers and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with high-quality, targeted leads. By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry insights, Australian Broker Company is transforming how brokers connect with clients—making the process faster, smarter, and more effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;Innovation&nbsp;&nbsp;Australian Broker Company was founded to transform lead generation for brokers, using cutting-edge technology to deliver high-quality, targeted leads. The company utilises advanced data analytics, AI, and automation to streamline the lead-generation process, ensuring brokers receive only the most relevant prospects. This technology-driven approach saves time and resources and boosts conversion rates by connecting brokers with clients actively seeking financial solutions.&nbsp;Its seamless integration with major aggregator platforms and their advanced&nbsp;CRM system gives brokers an all-in-one lead generation tool to effortlessly track, manage, and nurture leads. Its AI-powered SMS bot instantly connects with potential clients, qualifying them in real time so brokers only engage with serious prospects. The AI-driven appointment booking system takes the hassle out of scheduling, ensuring smooth interactions and fewer missed meetings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Peta, CEO of Australian Broker Company, explains what sets their platform apart:&nbsp;&nbsp;"Technology is a game-changer in lead generation, and at Australian Broker Company, we’re making it work smarter for brokers. Our AI-driven system doesn’t just collect lead-it analysis data in real time to deliver high-quality, high-converting prospects. With 2025 set to be the year of voice agents, brokers can leverage this next wave of innovation to engage with clients faster and more effectively. No more chasing dead-end leads—our intelligent CRM ensures brokers focus on the right opportunities. This is the future of lead generation, and it’s happening now."&nbsp;&nbsp;Mandeep Sodhi, Founder and CEO of Effi, commented on the partnership:&nbsp;"Effi has been partnering with high-traffic websites like comparison websites and property portals to generate leads for over a year. Whilst we were able to generate quality home loan leads, we realised that some brokers need more support and hands-on tips and training on how to engage online leads that are different to ones referred by their clients or partners and have the trust built already. In our discussions with Australian Broker Company, it was clear that they really understood the dynamics of the online leads and how to have a process and support in place to drive better conversion to settlement and build trust with online leads as trusted mortgage brokers. We are excited about this partnership with Australian Broker Company."&nbsp;Why It Started&nbsp;&nbsp;Australian Broker Company was born out of many brokers' frustration—wasting time on poor-quality leads that never convert. The industry was flooded with generic lead-generation models that left brokers chasing dead ends rather than closing deals. Recognising the need for a more innovative, more efficient solution, Australian Broker Company set out to change the game. The mission was simple: build a system that delivers only high-quality, pre-qualified leads, allowing brokers to focus on what they do best—helping clients secure financial solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The financial services industry is highly competitive, and many brokers find it difficult to source reliable, high-converting leads. Recognising this ongoing challenge, Australian Broker Company was created to provide a more innovative, results-driven solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;The company’s mission is simple:&nbsp;&nbsp;Reduce wasted time on low-quality prospects&nbsp;&nbsp;Delivery leads to a balanced relationship with broker expertise and services&nbsp;&nbsp;Use data-driven insights to improve efficiency and accuracy&nbsp;&nbsp;Why Voice Agents Are a Game Changer for Australian Broker Company and Mortgage Brokers&nbsp;Australian Broker Company was born out of many brokers' frustration—wasting time on poor-quality leads that never convert. The industry was flooded with generic lead-generation models that left brokers chasing dead ends rather than closing deals. Recognising the need for a more innovative, efficient solution, Australian Broker Company set out to change the game. The mission was simple: build a system that delivers only high-quality, pre-qualified leads, allowing brokers to focus on what they do best—helping clients secure financial solutions.&nbsp;With 2025 set to be the year of voice agents, Australian Broker Company is taking lead generation to the next level. AI-powered voice agents are a game changer for brokers, streamlining how they engage with clients and making the lead qualification process more efficient. Here’s how:&nbsp;&nbsp;Instant, High-Quality Lead Engagement&nbsp;&nbsp;Speed is crucial in lead conversion. Australian Broker Company’s voice agents engage with leads instantly, responding the moment an inquiry is made. They answer initial questions, qualify prospects in real time, and ensure brokers only spend time on serious, high-intent clients—no more cold leads—just ready-to-convert opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;24/7 Availability &amp; Consistency&nbsp;&nbsp;Traditional lead follow-up is limited by working hours, but AI-driven voice agents operate around the clock. Whether a potential client reaches out during business hours or late at night, the voice agent delivers consistent, professional, and compliant responses every time. This means no lead gets ignored or delayed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Smarter Lead Qualification &amp; Filtering&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead of wasting time on unqualified leads, Australian Broker Company’s AI voice agents pre-screen, and filter prospects based on their financial situation, interest level, and eligibility. This ensures that brokers only engage with clients looking for economic solutions—eliminating time-consuming, low-value interactions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Seamless Appointment Booking&nbsp;&nbsp;Coordinating meetings is often a frustrating back-and-forth process. AI voice agents can schedule appointments automatically, send reminders, and reschedule if needed. This reduces no-shows and smooths the process for brokers and clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Compliance &amp; Accuracy&nbsp;&nbsp;Mortgage broking is a highly regulated industry, and compliance is critical. Australian Broker Company’s AI voice agents ensure that every interaction follows compliance guidelines, provides accurate information, and records conversations for future reference. This reduces human error, improves consistency, and gives brokers added peace of mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scalability &amp; Efficiency&nbsp;&nbsp;For brokers and businesses looking to grow, voice agents provide an unmatched level of scalability. They can handle thousands of conversations simultaneously, removing bottlenecks in the lead-generation process and ensuring no missed opportunity. This allows brokers to focus on closing deals rather than chasing leads.&nbsp;&nbsp;Personalised&nbsp;Client Experience &amp; Data Insights&nbsp;&nbsp;Australian Broker Company’s AI voice agents don’t just automate conversations—they personalise interactions based on previous engagement, financial needs, and preferences. This helps build stronger client relationships while generating valuable data-driven insights that brokers can use to refine their sales strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is Just the Beginning&nbsp;The way brokers generate leads is changing forever—and Australian Broker Company is leading the charge.&nbsp;With smart technology, AI-driven automation, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, this company is giving brokers the tools, insights, and opportunities they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving market.&nbsp;The future of mortgage broking is here. Are you ready to be part of it?&nbsp;

Securities / FX / Investment Trusts

Financial results announcement

Australian Broker Company: Transforming Lead Generation for Brokers

Agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank has advised of a range of support measures that will be offered to its farming clients adversely impacted by floods and extreme rainfall in northern Queensland.

Rabobank acting state manager for Queensland, Brad James said that while the situation is still evolving and the full impact of the floods and prolonged heavy rainfall on agriculture will take time to assess – affected primary producers are already dealing with damage to crops, pastures, livestock and infrastructure, including sheds and fencing.

Mr James said, “it is very early days”, with flood water still extremely high in some of those impacted regions.

“The current priority is on the safety and wellbeing of people in affected districts as well as addressing concerns about loss of homes and businesses. As people start the monumental task of recovery and rebuilding from the devastating floods in the coming weeks, the full extent of the damage will become clearer,” he said.

For the agricultural sector, Mr James said, there would be significant concern among producers regarding the loss of crops, pasture and topsoil as well as the impact on livestock and damage to stored inputs and machinery. Additional concerns include potential damage, or loss of access, to road and rail networks – which could affect the movement of goods into and out of the region.

“This flood disaster is among the worst in northern Queensland’s recent history and agriculture has undoubtedly borne a significant portion of the damage. However, I want to reassure affected clients that, as a bank focused on agriculture, Rabobank considers it a normal part of our business to support primary producers affected by weather conditions – even extreme events like these,” he said.

“This is as we have done following previous floods and other severe climatic conditions – to ensure our clients are well-positioned to rebuild production and financial positions when conditions improve.”

Mr James said as a global specialist in agribusiness, Rabobank took a long-term view on its clients’ businesses and understood dealing with periods of extreme weather was part of being in the agricultural sector.

“It is our standard practice to support our clients during adverse conditions beyond their control, working with them individually to address these challenges,” he said.

Mr James said Rabobank’s staff would be contacting farming clients in impacted areas to offer support and assess the extent of any damage they have sustained.

He said the bank would work directly with individual clients whose farms or agribusinesses had been affected to provide support and offer a range of assistance measures in applicable circumstances.

Any farming clients who had been adversely impacted by the floods and had not yet spoken to the bank should contact their local branch or phone Rabobank on 1800 025 484.

Agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank has advised of a range of support measures that will be offered to its farming clients adversely impacted by floods and extreme rainfall in northern Queensland.Rabobank acting state manager for Queensland, Brad James said that while the situation is still evolving and the full impact of the floods and prolonged heavy rainfall on agriculture will take time to assess – affected primary producers are already dealing with damage to crops, pastures, livestock and infrastructure, including sheds and fencing.Mr James said, “it is very early days”, with flood water still extremely high in some of those impacted regions.“The current priority is on the safety and wellbeing of people in affected districts as well as addressing concerns about loss of homes and businesses. As people start the monumental task of recovery and rebuilding from the devastating floods in the coming weeks, the full extent of the damage will become clearer,” he said.For the agricultural sector, Mr James said, there would be significant concern among producers regarding the loss of crops, pasture and topsoil as well as the impact on livestock and damage to stored inputs and machinery. Additional concerns include potential damage, or loss of access, to road and rail networks – which could affect the movement of goods into and out of the region.“This flood disaster is among the worst in northern Queensland’s recent history and agriculture has undoubtedly borne a significant portion of the damage. However, I want to reassure affected clients that, as a bank focused on agriculture, Rabobank considers it a normal part of our business to support primary producers affected by weather conditions – even extreme events like these,” he said.“This is as we have done following previous floods and other severe climatic conditions – to ensure our clients are well-positioned to rebuild production and financial positions when conditions improve.”Mr James said as a global specialist in agribusiness, Rabobank took a long-term view on its clients’ businesses and understood dealing with periods of extreme weather was part of being in the agricultural sector.“It is our standard practice to support our clients during adverse conditions beyond their control, working with them individually to address these challenges,” he said.Mr James said Rabobank’s staff would be contacting farming clients in impacted areas to offer support and assess the extent of any damage they have sustained.He said the bank would work directly with individual clients whose farms or agribusinesses had been affected to provide support and offer a range of assistance measures in applicable circumstances.These included:‘carry on’ finance to keep viable operations running,waiver of break costs on early redemption of Farm Management Deposits to allow access to needed funds,deferral of scheduled loan payments andwaiver of fees on loan increases necessary for rebuilding operations.Any farming clients who had been adversely impacted by the floods and had not yet spoken to the bank should contact their local branch or phone Rabobank on 1800 025 484.

Welfare / Nursing / Rehabilitation

Credit card / Loan

Rabobank support measures for farmers affected by north Queensland floods

Applications for the 2025 intake of Rabobank’s Business Management Programs – the&nbsp;Farm Managers Program&nbsp;(FMP) and the&nbsp;Executive Development Program&nbsp;(EDP) – are now open.

Designed for farmers at various career stages, the two available programs – the Executive Development Program for farm business owners or senior managers and the Farm Managers Program for emerging farmers – aim to provide participants with the latest insights in business management.

Announcing the opening of applications for 2025, Rabobank regional manager Australia and New Zealand Mark Wiessing said more than 1400 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman had participated in the Business Management Programs across the past 25 years.

“The programs are incredibly valuable for primary producers as they allow the opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day operational side of their businesses and spend time developing strategies to help ensure that their operations remain resilient into the future,” he said.

“The programs also provide participants with networking opportunities with like-minded primary producers from different sectors across the two countries and, in many cases, relationships started on the programs continue far beyond the completion of the course. Previous participants tell us these ongoing relationships are a key benefit of the course and we help to foster these via our regular Business Management Program alumni events across Australia and New Zealand.”

Mr Wiessing said Rabobank’s long-term support of the Business Management Programs, was aimed at assisting farmers to grow and build resilience. “And in this way, the bank also contributes to strengthening rural communities – with rural and regional communities benefiting from a financially-healthy local agricultural sector,” he said.

Mr Wiessing said this year’s FMP program – for young and emerging farmers – will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley from June 15 to 20 this year.

“The FMP provides a forum for farmers from across a range of agricultural sectors to find out what is working for them in their farming roles,” he said.

“The program will help participants enhance their leadership and operational skills to prepare themselves for future management roles, and includes sessions on topics including communication and influencing skills, conflict management, sustainable farm business planning, financial management and managing people.”

Mr Wiessing said the Executive Development Program, which runs as two one-week long residential modules approximately a year apart, will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney, with the first module running from August 24 to 29 this year and the second scheduled for late July 2026.

“The EDP helps participants build strategic planning capabilities and commercial management skills to help drive business growth,” he said.

“Key topics covered on the program include formulation and implementation of long-term strategy, applying effective economic rationale to goal setting and decision making, and effective leadership skills.

“Between the first and second modules of the program, participants are also tasked with developing a management project which explores opportunities to make improvements within their own farming operation.

“This element of the program gives participants an opportunity to immediately apply the skills and knowledge from the first EDP module and, over the years, we’ve had some fantastic ideas outlined in these projects which have resulted in significant positive benefits for our participants’ farming businesses.”

EDP alumni and winner of the 2024 Dr John Morris Business Development Prize – a prestigious trans-Tasman business prize awarded annually as part of the program – Stuart Tait believes the course was exactly what he needed to continue to develop his career and management skills.

“I applied for the Executive Development Program with the aim of developing a strategic plan for the next 10 to 15 years for our beef-cattle breeding and trading, and dryland winter cropping business, and to learn how to identify and analyse various opportunities which may present themselves,” he said.

Mr Tait, based near Mandurama on the NSW Central Tablelands, said the course allowed him to remove himself from the day-to-day workings of the business and to gain an arm’s length view of the enterprises and where they are heading.

“The EDP was very well organised and structured, each and every session was well aimed to complete the strategic puzzle for a modern farming business,” he said.

“The course provided the tools to really break down the intimidating goal of creating a strategic plan into simple and actionable tasks,” he said. “It was a positive environment to be involved in, with over 30 successful and progressive farmers to learn from.

“I have already recommended the course to several friends and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to take their farm leadership and management skills to the next level.”

With numbers on each course limited to maintain group dynamics, positions on the programs are set to be highly contested, with farmers selected to attend from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.

Applications for the FMP and EDP close on Monday, March 31. Further information and applications can be found on the Rabobank website, or at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rabobank.com.au/agribusiness/business-management-programs" target="_blank">Business Management Programs</a>.

Applications for the 2025 intake of Rabobank’s Business Management Programs – the&nbsp;Farm Managers Program&nbsp;(FMP) and the&nbsp;Executive Development Program&nbsp;(EDP) – are now open.Designed for farmers at various career stages, the two available programs – the Executive Development Program for farm business owners or senior managers and the Farm Managers Program for emerging farmers – aim to provide participants with the latest insights in business management.Announcing the opening of applications for 2025, Rabobank regional manager Australia and New Zealand Mark Wiessing said more than 1400 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman had participated in the Business Management Programs across the past 25 years.“The programs are incredibly valuable for primary producers as they allow the opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day operational side of their businesses and spend time developing strategies to help ensure that their operations remain resilient into the future,” he said.“The programs also provide participants with networking opportunities with like-minded primary producers from different sectors across the two countries and, in many cases, relationships started on the programs continue far beyond the completion of the course. Previous participants tell us these ongoing relationships are a key benefit of the course and we help to foster these via our regular Business Management Program alumni events across Australia and New Zealand.”Mr Wiessing said Rabobank’s long-term support of the Business Management Programs, was aimed at assisting farmers to grow and build resilience. “And in this way, the bank also contributes to strengthening rural communities – with rural and regional communities benefiting from a financially-healthy local agricultural sector,” he said.Mr Wiessing said this year’s FMP program – for young and emerging farmers – will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley from June 15 to 20 this year.“The FMP provides a forum for farmers from across a range of agricultural sectors to find out what is working for them in their farming roles,” he said.“The program will help participants enhance their leadership and operational skills to prepare themselves for future management roles, and includes sessions on topics including communication and influencing skills, conflict management, sustainable farm business planning, financial management and managing people.”Mr Wiessing said the Executive Development Program, which runs as two one-week long residential modules approximately a year apart, will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney, with the first module running from August 24 to 29 this year and the second scheduled for late July 2026.“The EDP helps participants build strategic planning capabilities and commercial management skills to help drive business growth,” he said.“Key topics covered on the program include formulation and implementation of long-term strategy, applying effective economic rationale to goal setting and decision making, and effective leadership skills.“Between the first and second modules of the program, participants are also tasked with developing a management project which explores opportunities to make improvements within their own farming operation.“This element of the program gives participants an opportunity to immediately apply the skills and knowledge from the first EDP module and, over the years, we’ve had some fantastic ideas outlined in these projects which have resulted in significant positive benefits for our participants’ farming businesses.”EDP alumni and winner of the 2024 Dr John Morris Business Development Prize – a prestigious trans-Tasman business prize awarded annually as part of the program – Stuart Tait believes the course was exactly what he needed to continue to develop his career and management skills.“I applied for the Executive Development Program with the aim of developing a strategic plan for the next 10 to 15 years for our beef-cattle breeding and trading, and dryland winter cropping business, and to learn how to identify and analyse various opportunities which may present themselves,” he said.Mr Tait, based near Mandurama on the NSW Central Tablelands, said the course allowed him to remove himself from the day-to-day workings of the business and to gain an arm’s length view of the enterprises and where they are heading.“The EDP was very well organised and structured, each and every session was well aimed to complete the strategic puzzle for a modern farming business,” he said.“The course provided the tools to really break down the intimidating goal of creating a strategic plan into simple and actionable tasks,” he said. “It was a positive environment to be involved in, with over 30 successful and progressive farmers to learn from.“I have already recommended the course to several friends and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to take their farm leadership and management skills to the next level.”With numbers on each course limited to maintain group dynamics, positions on the programs are set to be highly contested, with farmers selected to attend from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.Applications for the FMP and EDP close on Monday, March 31. Further information and applications can be found on the Rabobank website, or at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rabobank.com.au/agribusiness/business-management-programs" target="_blank">Business Management Programs</a>.