MORE than 1300 of Australia and New Zealand’s most progressive farmers have graduated from Rabobank’s Business Management Programs over the past 25 years.

Tailored for farmers at different stages in their career, the two programs on offer - the Executive Development Program for farm business owners or senior managers and the Farm Managers Program for up-and-coming farmers - are designed to equip participants with the latest in business management thinking.

 Announcing the opening of applications for 2024, Australia and New Zealand Rabobank regional manager, Mark Wiessing said both programs provide an excellent opportunity for leading producers to gather and learn from each other.

 “There has never really been a better time to join one of the programs with like-minded producers from across the two countries and a range of different sectors,” he said.

 Mr Wiessing said many farmers through the course of 2023 have been dealing with the impacts of volatile commodity markets and variable climatic conditions, and it was even more important to remain focused on the “big picture” and have plans in place for the longer-term viability of the business.

 “It is vital farmers have the opportunity to step back for a few days from the day-to-day operational side of the business to refresh the mindset and develop strategies to ensure the business remains resilient going into the future,” he said.

 The Executive Development Program (EDP), which will be held in Sydney, is delivered over two fast-paced week-long modules run over consecutive years covering topics including strategic planning, financial management, communication, governance, negotiation, global trends, sustainability/carbon emissions, innovation and risk.

The first module will be held in August this year.

 Mr Wiessing said the EDP participants’ partners are also invited to join the program for the last two days of the second module, allowing them to work together on topics such as succession planning, resilience and human resource management.

With numbers on each course limited to maintain group dynamics, positions on the programs are set to be highly contested, with farmers selected to attend from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.

The dates for the program are as follows:

The Farm Managers Program, June 16 to 21, 2024 in Yarra Valley, Victoria.

The Executive Development Program, August 25 to 30, 2024 followed by the second module from July 27 to August 1, 2025, both in Sydney, New South Wales.

 Applications are open until March 22 and for further information or to apply, go to bit.ly/3OcRNYc