The Role of Holmes Sackett in your Farm Business

If it is important to you to be achieving sustainable high levels of profitability from your farm business then we start from a common base. We see our role as helping you achieve that important objective.

For a farm business to perform well over time all aspects of its operation must be functioning efficiently. The technical aspects of pasture and crop production, livestock genetics and management, price risk management, financial monitoring and capital allocation decisions all must work together to give the best overall result.

It is not our role to become involved in day to day management, nor to tell you how to run your farm. Nor is it our role to provide you with the motivation to keep the performance going, because unless you have this already, you are unlikely to succeed in the long term. Our role is to help you stay highly focused on the factors that are critical to success and we do this in the following way:

Ensure that the enterprises being run are the most appropriate for the particular farm business and have the potential to provide high levels of profitability into the future.

Identify industry best practice benchmarks for the whole farm business and each individual enterprise and ensure that a plan is in place to achieve these benchmarks over time.

Ensure that all capital allocation decisions are sensible and are likely to create rather than destroy wealth.

Monitor the progress of the plan that is laid down for the farm business to achieve success.

We rely heavily on objective information to frame our advice and for that reason, expect that the farm business performance be benchmarked each year through the benchmarking service that we provide. Experience has shown us that without this critical tool, our potential to be of value to you over time is severely constrained. The major agenda items for the various meetings that we would have with you throughout the year include:

The formulation of the annual farm business budget with results expressed in terms of cashflow, profit and loss and balance sheet.

An in-depth review of the annual farm business benchmarking results.

Initial formulation and annual updating of the farm business plan.

Analysis and resolution of short term tactical issues as they arise.

Assistance with risk management in all its forms.

For most farm businesses this means a maximum of three meetings a year, at least one of which is held on farm. The remaining meetings are usually held in the Holmes Sackett offices.

Technical Advice

We prefer to offer technical advice only when it is necessary and is within our skill base. A lot of technical advice, particularly in pasture and crop agronomy is far better sought locally. Our client base extends over a wide geographic area and it is not possible for us to be expert in specific local matters on every occasion. 

Some technical advice is not area specific. For example, livestock genetics and management and pasture utilisation involve principles that apply across regions with only minor adaptations necessary. As well, planning and timeliness with cropping apply no matter where crops are grown.

We provide specific technical advice on a wide range of topics in the form of newsletters and booklets. At the end of the day, the technical issues are usually the more simple components of the farm business operation and it is your task to master these quickly and efficiently.

Guarantee

Our work is fully guaranteed. At any stage, if you are not completely satisfied with the quality of the service being offered, you have the right to refuse payment or request a refund for payment made.

If you would like further information regarding consulting work, we can be contact at the following: