Solving the profitability puzzle

Graeme Nurse has been farming on the family farm in Stanhope for nearly 30 years and, with a pedigree stretching back three generations, it’s fair to say he was puzzled by his farm’s seeming inability to reach its full potential. 
 
Graeme assumed control of the farm in the early 1990s and continued his father’s steady growth. What started as a 50-acre allotment has increased to nearly 700 with the addition of neighbouring farms as they became available and a herd of 450 cows –  a 75/25 mix of Friesians and Jerseys – which he farms alongside his wife Fleur.
 
However, despite the growth and the addition of a feed pad and new rotary dairy, Graeme said they were never able to get it all to really gel. It was paying its way, but never achieving what they thought was possible. 
 
It provided a perfect scenario for assistance from the Farm Source Professionals team of Profit Specialist Matt Trevaskis and Paddock Specialist Glenn Murrells. 
 
“When Glenn and I first came out we were both blown away by the possibilities for improvement. It was a great opportunity for us to help get the farm running to its full potential,” says Matt. 
 
“A lot of that was about getting production up and running, and in the process we devised a plan they could easily follow.” 
 
According to Glenn, the solution started by sitting down with Graeme and Fleur to lay out a plan that maximised the farm’s profitability. 
 
“We focused on individual cow production and feeding to maximise return per cow. Part of that was altering the diet to make sure we had the right feed in at the right time and filling the gaps that the pasture left behind.  
 
“With those pieces in place, the Nurses have improved production per hectare, maximised return per megalitre of water and doubled milk production,” says Glenn.  
   
Fleur – who also grew up on a dairy farm – manages the books and works closely with Matt. 
 
“We do a lot of the bookkeeping together. I use MYOB, which he has access to, and from there Matt can help us make the budgets and put all the information together for the banks and our accountant. 
 
“It also helps us analyse where we’re at, what our future holds and helps us plan for what we want in the future,” says Fleur.  
  
Matt believes the work done by Graeme and Fleur has laid the foundation for a successful future. 
 
“We're constantly updating the cashflow budget and sending that on to the accountant and banks, and it has just improved that relationship 100 per cent.  
 
“Glenn and I commented after the last visit, just how calm everything seems out here now. Now, everything is running like clockwork,” says Matthew. 
 
With solid plans in place and reduced stress levels, Graeme and Fleur are now looking forward with renewed confidence. 
 
“The farm is finally starting to reach its potential, which is the biggest thing we've noticed in the past six to 12 months – everyone sees it. We've finally got it all going the way we want it to,” says Graeme.