Prior to drought, we will help you effectively prepare for drier conditions and improve the resilience of your farm business. Our local Financial Counsellors will work alongside you to:

• complete a farm business health check to help work out where you and your farm business are now
• develop a proactive plan and actions to address the specific drought risks affecting your farm business, which may include activities such as:
  • making farm business improvements e.g. improved fodder storage and water infrastructure facilities
  • storing fodder or grain for use during drier times
  • diversifying your income, so your farm business income can be supplemented when required
  • utilising tools such as the Farm Management Deposit Scheme, so money can be put away and used in years when farm business income is low
  • reviewing your loan and finance arrangements to analyse whether your repayment terms are best suited to your situation
• identifying what drought preparedness grants and loans you may be eligible for
• connect you with broader professional advice and tools that can improve your farm business’s drought preparedness.

If your farm business is affected by drought, we will help you respond and manage the impacts of the drier conditions. Our local Financial Counsellors will work alongside you to:

• complete a farm business health check to help work out where you and your farm business are now
• identify options and implement a plan to help manage the drought impacts and improve your financial situation, which may include:
  • looking at ways to improve your cash flow
  • reviewing loan arrangements and financing options
  • negotiating with your bank, financial institution or other creditors
  • identifying what grants and government assistance you may be eligible for
  • analysing your options to assist your decision making, such as destocking vs feeding livestock, what livestock to sell or keep, the cost benefit of agistment or whether to plant or fallow paddocks
• connect you with broader professional advice and tools that can support you to respond to the drought.

Following the drought, we will support you to rebuild your farm business and recover from the impacts of the drought. As recovery can take time, we will be there to assist you in the long term through this process. Our local Financial Counsellors will work alongside you to:

• understand your financial situation now the season has improved
• identify your goals and analyse the cash flow required to achieve these goals
• assess your options for alternate activities such as restocking, agisting, share farming or restructuring your farm operations
• continue to work proactively with your lenders and other stakeholders
• connect you with broader professional advice and tools that can support you to recover from the drought
• identify learnings that can help you rebuild your farm business stronger and more resilient to future drier conditions.

To access our free, impartial and confidential drought support:

• get in touch with your local Rural Financial Counsellor
• call 07 4622 5500
• make an appointment.