March 2026 Edition
It’s hard to believe we are already well into March. With January and February behind us, the pace of 2026 has well and truly settled in and the weeks seem to be moving quickly. Not to mention the current overseas situation which seems to changing on the hour.
Across Australian agriculture the season is already telling very different stories. Flooding across parts of northern Australia has dominated headlines, while across many southern regions rainfall remains patchy and businesses are watching the sky closely as they think about the season ahead.
For many farming businesses, conversations are increasingly turning to the next set of decisions. Input costs and access to key inputs such as fuel and fertiliser are front of mind, and there is a level of uncertainty about what the coming months may bring.
At Cross Country Management, March has been focused on supporting clients through these conversations. Reviewing business assumptions, talking through seasonal decisions and helping businesses position themselves for what comes next.
Below is a snapshot of what we have been working on this month.
Enjoy the March Chronicle.
ADVISOR TO KNOW - SUZI EVANS
An intro to Suzi and her workshops, with practical strategies to stay steady, focused, and resilient through changing seasons
MARCH BLOG
Project management and farming: why the connection matters more than ever in 2026
PODCAST RECOMMENDATION
RawAg Podcast by Te Mania Angus
PROJECT UPDATE: FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE
Insights from the first workshops held across the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsula
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” – Peter Drucker
UPCOMING AGCELERATE WORKSHOPS IN VICTORIA
Details of upcoming Victorian face-to-face financial literacy workshops I’m delivering in March to May
VICTORIAN DROUGHT SUPPORT
Clear thinking for your farm business when it matters most
WOW YOUR BANKER
Helping you put your best foot forward
Advisor to Know - Suzi Evans
With increasing pressure across the ag sector, having the right support around you, both practically and mentally, has never been more important.
Suzi Evans is a wellbeing facilitator working with individuals, businesses and communities to build mental fitness and resilience. Her approach is grounded, practical and easy to apply, making it particularly relevant for farmers and growers navigating the ups and downs of seasonal conditions, and not to mention the current uncertain climate across the world!
Through her Workbench for the Mind intensives, Suzi delivers short, focused workshops designed to help participants better manage stress, make clearer decisions, and stay steady during uncertain times. These sessions are not theory-heavy. Instead, they offer simple, practical tools that can be used straight away, both on and off the farm.
Suzi has lots of workshops coming up, jump onto her website to see the next one or more information.
To learn more or book, click on the button below:
March Blog
Project management and farming: why the connection matters more than ever in 2026
If you have ever worked with me, sat in one of my workshops, or followed AgCelerate for any length of time, you will know I describe myself as both a farm business consultant (I prefer the word coach but consultant is easier for people to understand) and a project manager. Some people pause at that as the two disciplines sound unrelated. They are not.
Running a farming business and running a project rely on the same foundations: a clear strategic direction, disciplined prioritisation, logical sequencing of tasks, and an unwavering focus on outcomes. In 2026, that combination is not just relevant: it is essential.
Podcast Recommendation
RawAg Podcast by Te Mania Angus
RawAg takes a broader look at Australian agriculture, exploring the entire food and fibre supply chain from paddock to plate.
Through conversations with farmers, industry leaders and innovators, the podcast dives into topics such as production, markets, sustainability and the future of agriculture.
It’s a great listen for anyone interested in the bigger picture of how Australian agribusiness connects and evolves.
Project Update: From Both Sides of the Fence
Earlier this month, growers, landholders, councils, Landscape Board representatives and other land managers came together across the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsula regions to discuss roadside weed management and how greater alignment can be achieved across the landscape.
A few clear themes emerged from the discussions:
Roadside weeds are a shared system. What happens on roadsides affects paddocks, and what happens in paddocks affects roadsides. Weed seed and herbicide resistance do not recognise property boundaries.
Different groups operate under different pressures. Councils balance legislation, biodiversity and public safety alongside budget constraints. Landholders manage seasonal conditions, labour availability and rising input costs. Landscape Boards also work within their own operational frameworks.
Communication matters. Earlier and clearer communication around roadside spraying programs, emerging weeds and operational constraints was repeatedly raised as a practical improvement.
Timing matters too. When roadside and on-farm control programs are better aligned, weed control is more effective across the landscape.
The desired outcomes are shared. Participants consistently identified the same goals: well managed roadsides, reduced weed spread and lower herbicide resistance risk.
Encouragingly, there was strong willingness from everyone in the room to work through these challenges together. The insights from these workshops will now inform the next phase of the project, including further consultation and the development of practical guidelines tailored to the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsula regions.
To stay up to date with this project and other CCM activities, visit our website or follow us on social media. You can find more information about this project here.
Quote of the Month
“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” – Peter Drucker
Planning plays an important role in any farm or agribusiness, helping set direction and clarify goals. But a plan alone won’t deliver results. As Peter Drucker reminds us, progress comes from the effort that follows.
On the farm, success is often built through the steady work behind the scenes - reviewing numbers, making adjustments, and staying consistent with the tasks that move the business forward. Over time, those small actions turn good intentions into real outcomes.
Upcoming Workshops in Victoria
Paige is delivering several free AgCelerate financial literacy and business strategy workshops across the Victoria over the coming weeks.
These practical half-day sessions are designed to give you the opportunity to step back from the day-to-day and spend some focused time looking at the financial and strategic drivers in your business before the next season starts in full.
During the workshop you will work through the financial information that underpins your operation, focusing on understanding your cashflow, reviewing your financial position and connecting the numbers to the decisions you are making within your farming system.
You’ll leave with practical tools and templates you can use in your own business, along with greater clarity around where your business currently sits and how the decisions you make this season may influence the years ahead.
Below are the details for the workshops:
VIC Mallee & Western VIC
Ouyen:
Tuesday 24 March 2026
8:00am arrival for 8:30am start (finishing 1pm)
Ouyen Football Club
Breakfast and a boxed lunch to go provided
Register here.
Casterton:
Thursday 30 April 2026
11:00am arrival for 11:30am start (finishing 3:15pm)
Casterton Football Club, Casterton
Register here.
Macarthur:
Friday 1 May 2026
11:00am arrival for 11:30am start (finishing 3:15pm)
Suffoir Winery, Mt Eccles Road, Macarthur
Register here.
These free events are being delivered by me, Paige Cross, of Cross Country Management on behalf of Agriculture Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package.
Please share the details of any of these workshops through your networks in any of these regions.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or require any further information!
Victorian Drought Support
While conditions across much of Victoria are beginning to improve, the legacy of the past two seasons is still being felt, particularly with cashflow. For many, the question of what comes next is still front of mind.
Through Agriculture Victoria’s drought support program, eligible farmers can access up to 6 hours of 1:1 support with me at no cost. This is your chance to sit down with me, pressure test ideas, build cashflow scenarios, and make clear, considered decisions for your farm business.
Please note this program is currently due to conclude on 30 June 2026, so if you are wanting to take advantage, register ASAP using the link below.
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!