As a national project partner, RMCG was engaged by Rural Directions to collect and analyse benchmarking datasets for mixed farming businesses across Southern and Northern Victoria. Working with 20 producers the project aimed to identify the key profit drivers and understand what it takes to run a profitable mixed enterprise operation in each agroecological zone. This was achieved through utilising benchmarking, qualitative surveys and skills assessments.
To extend the project’s findings to the broader industry, a management guideline was developed for each zone to reflect locally relevant issues and opportunities. The guidelines highlighted the four primary profitability drivers of mixed farming businesses:
1. Gross margin optimisation (operational)
2. Developing a low-cost business model (structural)
3. People and management
4. Risk management.
Half-day workshops were held in each zone to explore and discuss results, providing the opportunity for producers to understand their profit drivers from a local perspective.
The guidelines and fact sheets are now available and can be viewed below.
