It’s time to go back to the drawing board
Planning your finance is a step in the right direction. It is beneficial to do a monthly assessment to see where you are spending your money and the holes that are causing you to lose money. According to Farm Online, ANZ experienced a drop of impaired farm loans to $500 million last year. Although the numbers of defaults have decreased, there are still farms that owe thousands in outstanding loans.
This could be due to a variety of reasons such as the recent drought that has affected production on some farms, the performance of the export market, and a lack of cash flow to act as a buffer against unexpected costs. Cash flow is an issue for both large and small farms, even if they are able to generate a profit.
Having a financial forecast on when and where financial difficulties may arise can help you prepare your finances. You can also consider taking out a cash flow lending loan or working capital loan to help your farm business during those periods in which you have a tight cash flow.
Know when and when not to make cuts
Another reason why it is useful to evaluate your finances every month is that it can show you where you need to cut back. This is where you can make use of a qualified financial advisor or an accountant who will be able to help you spot areas that are draining your budget. However, be careful about not cutting back too much back in the name of saving on costs. This also means checking if the cuts you are making for maintenance and repairs of equipment is necessary. You can also consider ways to cut back on operational costs by improving the efficiency of your labour force. Keep in mind that what may work for one business may not work for yours.
Does your loan still cut it for you?
Commercial loans are just some of the finance options that farmers make use of to keep their farms afloat or working capital to keep things running. However, your loan can also be something that can either make or break the operation of your business. Check to see if your loan still offers you a rate that is suitable for your needs.
Some farmers may have taken out a bad credit loan that offers fewer options and not so flexible features. However, if your credit score has improved from the last time you applied you can look for another loan that comes with flexible features that will work for your farm. Always remember to compare the interest rate, ongoing fees, and charges that come with the loan.