Business planning for Taranaki dairy farms
Paul Reidy - expert guidance to help you plan effectively for the short and long-term success of your dairy farming business
A business plan will describe in physical and financial detail what your current situation is, what your desired future will look like and precisely how you are going to achieve it.
Most importantly, it will give you a clear sense of direction, purpose and focus for where you are going, how and when you are going to get there. It will also allow you to demonstrate this to other important members of your business team.
However, there needs to be a balance between the farming business, finances and your personal needs. Otherwise, this can lead to a crisis at some point in the future, because important areas such as relationships, health or happiness have suffered.
How do you want your dairy farming business to be performing in the future? Successfully? How will you achieve this?

I can develop a business plan to ensure that you:
- Identify the long-term goals for your dairy farm business.
- Have an effective strategic plan for doing the right things to achieve your goals.
- Rise above the day-to-day activities of your business and looking further into the future.
- Are working on your business rather than in it.
I can then help you to develop tactical and operational plans to ensure that you are:
- Focused on performing the right tasks efficiently and correctly.
- Adapting your longer-term strategic plans to fit within the farm's current year.
- Fine tuning your day-to-day dairy farm activities to keep your plans on target.
It is pointless doing things right if they are the wrong priorities or if they are not effective ways to achieve your goals.
Useful questions to ask yourself:
- What stage have you reached with your goals and planning?
- Do you have any goals and plans for your dairy farm business?
- Are you stuck in operational planning and focusing only on day-to-day activities?
- Do you feel as if you are always chasing your tail?
- Are you constantly dealing with dramas and putting out fires?
- Do you feel as if little or no progress is taking place?
Talk to me about planning your dairy farming future effectively so that you survive market fluctuations and protect your most valuable asset.

