Every Farmer needs a Succession Plan

Posted by: Scott Thompson

"Having spent almost 10 years involved with rural families as the President of the United Graziers' Association and then AgForce Queensland, I became very conscious of the lack of succession planning throughout the rural community generally, so I set out to change that situation by encouraging individual families to seek some advice.

"In my position I came across plenty of instances of emotional and financial stress at several levels within an extended family that could have been avoided if early assistance and advice had been made available.  Our farming and grazing businesses are critical to our future, so business planning has now become very important to the longer term future, and succession planning should be an essential part of those business plans.

 "I congratulate Bill Anderssen for his initiative in putting together his high quality Rural Succession Planning booklet, and recommend that it be an automatic inclusion in any reading material that is available in rural homes and business houses.  It contains excellent information that should be compulsory reading for all members of the family who are partners or working in the business.

"As "every family needs a farmer", I strongly suggest that every farmer needs a succession plan!"

 

Larry Acton
Past President - Agforce Queensland
Past President - The United Graziers' Association