Welcome to the November edition of the Cross Country Chronicle!
November is upon us, and across much of southern Australia, harvest is underway or rapidly approaching. For many agricultural businesses, there's a lot riding on the next few months, with seasonal conditions, commodity prices and the rising cost of production continuing to influence both immediate decisions and plans for 2027.
Here at CCM, there's been plenty happening behind the scenes as we work with clients on their business plans, financial positions and opportunities for the year ahead. We're also preparing for a series of AgCelerate farm business workshops across Victoria in early 2027, with more details included below.
And for those of you outside Victoria, stay tuned! We're also planning a national workshop tour for 2027, with some exciting announcements coming in the next few weeks. We're looking forward to getting out on the road, visiting new regions and working with more farming businesses across Australia!
One of the things I've been reflecting on recently is how easy it can be to put off difficult conversations, particularly when there's already so much demanding our attention. Whether it's finances, business performance, succession or simply deciding what comes next, avoiding a conversation doesn't mean we're avoiding the consequences.
That thinking has influenced this month's blog, Avoiding the conversation is a decision too, and ties in with our podcast recommendation exploring what the successful family farm might look like in 2040.
There's also a practical look at ATO debt collection, an update on our From Both Sides of the Fence project and a couple of recommendations from my reading and listening.
As we approach the end of another year, it's a timely reminder to keep one eye on what's immediately in front of us and the other on where we're heading.
Enjoy the November Chronicle.
AI Tip of the Month
With 2027 planning underway, why not put Microsoft Copilot in Excel to work?
Open a spreadsheet containing your 2025 and 2026 farm expenses and try this prompt:
"Compare my fuel, fertiliser, interest and repairs and maintenance expenses for 2025 and 2026. Show the dollar and percentage changes in a table, identify the biggest increases and suggest three questions I should consider when preparing my 2027 budget."
It's a simple way to start identifying cost trends and asking better questions about your business performance.
Remember: Check the calculations, compare like-for-like periods and consider changes in production. You'll also need access to CoPilot in Excel.
ATO Debt Collection: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Rising tax debts and increased ATO recovery activity are putting pressure on Australian small businesses.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is stepping up efforts to recover outstanding tax debts, with complaints to the Tax Ombudsman increasing by 180% over the past two years. Rising operating costs, cash flow pressures and interest charges are making it increasingly difficult for some businesses to manage their tax obligations.
Read more in this Australian Conveyancer article here.
The growing pressure of ATO debt on small businesses has also been highlighted in a recent radio discussion featuring Nat Irvine. Listen to Nat Irvine's radio snippet here.
For farmers and business owners, the key message is to be proactive. Keeping on top of cash flow, understanding upcoming tax obligations and seeking advice early can help prevent a manageable debt from becoming a much bigger problem.
If you have outstanding ATO debt, speak with your accountant or financial adviser about the options available rather than waiting for the debt to grow.
Blog - November
Avoiding the conversation is a decision too
In my last article, I wrote about overdue debtors and the impact on businesses left waiting for payment.
One of the things that struck me while writing it was how much of the problem comes back to communication, particularly the conversations people avoid because they're uncomfortable, difficult or they don't have all the answers.
It's something I see well beyond unpaid invoices.
It's the farming business owner who knows they can't pay a bill on time but doesn't pick up the phone. The employer who's unhappy with a staff member's performance but continues to let things slide. The family that knows succession needs to be discussed but keeps putting it off because nobody wants to upset anyone.
In each case, the conversation might be uncomfortable, but avoiding it rarely makes the situation better.
Book Recommendation
Driven by Susie Wolff
From aspiring Formula One driver to leading F1 Academy, Susie Wolff shares her journey through the male-dominated world of motorsport. Driven explores ambition, resilience, leadership and breaking down barriers, offering a behind-the-scenes look at elite motorsport and the challenges of balancing career and family. An inspiring read for anyone interested in leadership, determination and pursuing their goals.
Podcast Recommendation
What will the successful family farm look like in 2040 - by agrimaster
What will it take for the family farm to remain successful for the next generations? Host, David Egerton-Warburton looks at what successful families are doing differently.
One of the common demonintators for success including working with a farm business consultant.
Project Update: From Both Sides of the Fence
A weed problem doesn't stop at the fence
With summer approaching and more vehicles, people and machinery moving across the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas, it's worth thinking about what else might be travelling with us.
Weed seeds can spread through wind, vehicles, machinery and human activity. Once established, they can become a costly problem for farmers, landholders and the wider community.
Through the GRDC-funded Roadside Weed Management: Both Sides of the Fence project, we're exploring how councils, growers, contractors and communities can work together to improve weed management.
One question keeps coming up: Who is actually responsible for managing weeds between the fence line and the road?
Clarifying responsibilities and understanding the different challenges faced by those managing roadsides are important parts of developing a more coordinated approach to weed control.
Fleabane testing results are back!
Herbicide resistance testing on fleabane collected through the project is complete. The findings will help inform local discussions about herbicide effectiveness and future management options.
Save the dates: March 2027 workshops
Fleurieu Peninsula: Tuesday 16 March 2027
Yorke Peninsula: Thursday 18 March 2027
Venues and times to be confirmed.
These workshops will bring people together to discuss what we're learning and how we can improve roadside weed management.
Want to be part of the conversation? Follow the project, register your interest in a workshop or get in touch via our website. You can find more information about this project here.
Quote of the Month
"It's the long game that counts, not where we find ourselves at half time" - Toto Wolff
Success isn't always about where we are today, but where we're heading.
In farming and business, setbacks and challenges are inevitable, but it's the bigger picture that matters. Staying focused on long-term goals, adapting along the way and making consistent progress can lead to stronger outcomes over time.
Upcoming AgCelerate Workshops in Victoria
Paige will be delivering several free AgCelerate™ farm business workshops, funded by Agriculture Victoria, in early 2027 across the following towns in Victoria:
Barnawartha - 8 February 2027
Murchison - 9 February 2027
Heathcote - 10 February
Maryborough - 11 February 2027
Dunkeld - early 2027 (date TBD)
Hawkesdale - early 2027 (date TBD)
Farm Office Sorted will be delivered in Dunkeld, Hawkesdale, Maryborough and Murchison. These practical workshops focus on running the business behind the farm, including how business information, records, decisions and actions are captured and accessed, understanding key financial and operational information, and building practical systems that make the farm office easier to manage. We’ll also explore how tools including AI can help with information capture, record keeping and repetitive administrative tasks.
Know Your Numbers, Plan Your Year will be delivered in Heathcote and Barnawartha, with a focus on reviewing the previous year while it is still fresh and planning the year ahead with strategic intent. We’ll work through key farm business metrics, cashflow, financial risks and opportunities, and use this information to set priorities and guide the decisions that will shape the year ahead.
Both workshops provide dedicated time to step away from the day-to-day and work on your own farming business, with practical tools and work underway that you can continue to use when you get home.
If you’re keen to be on the waitlist when registrations open, simply reply to this email with your preferred location and we’ll add you to the list.
WOW Your Banker
Annual review season is rapidly approaching. Imagine having your information prepared and feeling in charge of the next conversation you have with your bank manager, wouldn't it be nice to 'wow' them?
Our 'wow your banker' service is designed to do exactly that. Book a discovery call today and know you will be walking in with confidence, presenting your numbers clearly, and secure the financial backing you need.
Get yourself set up for success now - book a discovery call with Paige!
Thanks for joining us again this month. As always, if there is anything we can help you with, or something you would like to see featured in next month's chronicle, please reach out. We'd love to hear from you!
Paige & Elise