Decisions made collectively

09-06-2010 | Not Specified

Having the security of water has allowed the family to diversify into cash crops.

This year they grew 50ha of white clover and while it hasn't been hugely successful (it had yet to be harvested early in May), they intend persevering with some type of small-seed production.

Cereal crops may also be an option especially when they want to clean up a paddock for higher value seed production.

The cash crops are another feather in their cap and one of the options made available to them through irrigation.

Changing their farm system as dramatically as they have has obviously taken some collective thinking and buy-in from all family members.

Bill and Andrew have different areas of responsibilities in their business, but all major decisions are made collectively.

Every fortnight Bill and Andrew get together for a planning session and work out what they will be doing in the month ahead, but they also see each other every morning when all staff gather at the start of the working day.

As Bill says, they are always talking and he stresses the importance of communication in maintaining a healthy working and family relationship.

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