26 October 2026

Get Ahead Of It: Clear Heads in Dry Times

The best time to prepare for dry times is when it is raining and the Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (RFCS-SQ) is urging primary producers to take a clear-headed look at their farm finances in all seasons.

With drought declarations now in place across parts of Southern Queensland and storms rolling across the state, there is plenty of anticipation and trepidation about what this summer might look like for primary producers in Southern Queensland.

Early planning for any season is the groundwork for clear decision-making when it counts.

Hotter months are fast approaching and drying conditions are likely to emerge for other regions outside of the already drought declared Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, Balonne and parts of Maranoa.

Rural Program Manager Kim Corfield said that preparing for dry times early gives the greatest operational control.

‘The strongest drought decision is the one you make before you actually need to make it’, she said.

‘Building a financial buffer needs to be more than an arbitrary dollar figure. Farmers should work backward from their operating costs and ask themselves how many months the business could continue if income dropped and input costs for fodder and fuel increased’.

The November episode of the Get Ahead of It webinar series is titled Clear Heads in Dry Times and Rural Financial Counsellors (RFCs) Hannah Mrowka and Bridget Doyle will discuss practical ways to build resilience before in all seasons, covering in particular:

• Why the best time to prepare for dry times is when it is raining
• Why early preparation gives you the greatest operational control
• Building a realistic financial buffer that protects your cash flow
• The hidden costs of reactive decision-making on stock, feed, and debt
• Practical ways to stress-test your business and explore off-farm risk management options

Bringing a combination of technical livestock expertise, broad agribusiness qualifications, and over three decades of hands-on rural business management, Hannah and Bridget understand the harsh realities of seasonal downturns.

‘The point isn’t to predict the drought, but when you’re making decisions with your back against the wall you have fewer options and less time to consider the consequences of your decision’, Hannah said.

‘The cost of drought isn’t just the price of feed and fuel. Talking to an RFC early gives you options and helps you understand where the pressure points in your farming operation lie’.

Having grown up on pastoral properties in Mundubbera and Blackall, Hannah and Bridget combine deep local knowledge with practical, direct guidance to help primary producers navigate adversity and make informed decisions with confidence.

‘Dry times are when every decision counts,’ said Bridget. ‘You can’t control the weather, but you can give yourself the confidence to face challenges by discussion your situation with an RFC and planning for different scenarios’.

Join us for a practical discussion on how to stress-test your business before the heat sets in, build a financial buffer that holds up under pressure, and explore off-farm risk management options to protect your farm’s long-term viability.

Get Ahead of It is a webinar series for primary producers to give them the confidence to seek the help that is available particularly before financial, business or personal pressures risk becoming a significant crisis.

Register for free for the next webinar on 19 November at 12pm at www.getaheadofit.org.au. Participants will be able to watch either live or on-demand, with interactive Q&A sessions during the broadcasts from industry experts.

This initiative is funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government and, is also jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

ENDS.

About Rural Financial Counsellor and webinar host, Kim Corfield

Kim is the Rural Financial Counselling Service’s Rural Program Manager, based in Biggenden. She supports Wide Bay Burnett primary producers in North Burnett, Wide Bay and surrounding areas. Kim joined the RFCS Southern Queensland in 2007. She supports grazing, cropping, sugar cane, timber harvesters, citrus and small crop farmers to improve their understanding of their financial position and navigate out of challenging circumstances. Read more here

About Rural Financial Counsellor and webinar guest, Hannah Mrowka

Hannah is a Rural Financial Counsellor based in Emerald. Hannah has worked across the livestock industry in southern and central Queensland, not only through her professional experience but also through her upbringing on a beef breeding enterprise near Mundubbera. Read more here.

About Rural Financial Counsellor and webinar guest, Bridget Doyle

Bridget is a Rural Financial Counsellor based in Blackall. Bridget brings over 33 years of experience in rural and small business management across Australia and Canada, with experience in agriculture, banking, bookkeeping, construction trades, sales, hospitality and retail. Read more here.

About Business & Rural Solutions

Business & Rural Solutions (BRS) t/a Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland is a leading not-for-profit organisation focused on being the preferred provider of valuable support to rural and small businesses and their communities. Commencing in 1999, we have continuously partnered with local, state and federal government and philanthropic bodies to undertake proactive service delivery that empowers the rural and small business sectors.

BRS owns and manages the programs of its primary brands, including RFCS Southern Queensland, Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (SBFCSSQ), and Rural Solutions Queensland (RSQ).