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Facilitating Change Program Press Release ~ 8 September 1999 |
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Business plans help realise local visions
A young couple from Lake Charm are the first people to have their Loddon Murray 2000 plus business plan approved. Lindsay and Gaby Hogg run a 670 hectare sheep and fodder enterprise. They realised the farm had to be treated as a business for it to become profitable. "Low wool prices and limited access to quality laser levelled ground were limiting us financially," says Lindsay. The couple attended a Loddon Murray 2000 plus Business Plan Information Day at Kerang to see how the farm could be redeveloped and run more efficiently. Lindsay says the completed business plan concentrates on increasing productivity and addressing the impacts of salinity to become more water efficient. "The plan has shown us how to achieve sustainability. We will complete our irrigation development early next year along with parallel developments in our sheep enterprise. "Our Lucerne growing will expand, mixed with some cropping to meet changing markets, and we'll farm sheep differently for better cash flow. The couple had planned to re-develop the property in sections, but receiving almost $50,000 in grants and interest rate subsidies has allowed them to move ahead more quickly. "Now we can set-up a program to move away from tillage and direct drill. This is cost efficient, and gives better results." Lindsay and Gaby are very positive about the benefits of the grants and the business plan. "We've done a lot of soul searching about future directions. Now we have the confidence to develop the business knowing we have a plan to back us up," Gaby says. Rod Power from Loddon Murray 2000 plus is encouraging all farm families in the region to complete a business plan. "Change is all around us. A farm business plan allows families to look at where they are now, where they would like to be, and how to achieve their goals and visions. "The planning process is on-going and flexible. It provides a strong framework for helping people adapt to change." Completing a farm business plan is mandatory for farmers wanting to access Loddon Murray 2000 plus Enterprise Incentive/Development Redevelopment Assistance, Farm Productivity Improvement - Interest Rate Subsidies and Training and Advisory Assistance. 
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Design and Production by
Talkin' Technical Communications |
Updated: December, 1999
Contact LM2000 plus: Kelly.McKnight@nre.vic.gov.au |