At the time of writing this, from a birds eye view, the agricultural sector is ‘cautiously positive’ in New Zealand, across the ditch there are some additional challenges, however overall things are more positive than they have been.

This is great; however things go in cycles, and there will be tough times in the future.

This is guaranteed.

We need to position our businesses as strongly as we can before times get tough.

The weak get exposed, whilst the strong get the spoils.

You don’t need to be Darwin to work this out.

Anyone can run an agricultural business in the good times, far fewer in the bad times.

The last few years we have seen COVID, cyclones, floods, fires, high interest rates and stagnant economies.

These have tested us all.

Whilst some have risen to the pressure, others have fallen.

Some see it as a challenge, others see it as a problem.

In weaker times, the weak get weaker.

Prior to this happening, it’s your time to move forward.

“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful” – Warren Buffett.

Your opposition will get tired, depleted of resources and low on energy. 

Don’t wait until then. Go for it now.

Approach their customer base.

Be respectful about it – you are not trying to backstab anyone; you are just trying to be helpful to the farmer.

Ask the farmer if you can be their ‘plan B’ if their ‘plan A’ ever lets them down.

Ask them if they’d like another option to keep their current provider honest and accountable.

Ask them for their advice on what you need to do better as a business to earn an opportunity to do business with them in the future.

Now is not the time to be timid.

The opportunities are there.

You just need to make and create them whilst others are asleep at the wheel, taking things for granted.

Like everything in life, it all comes down to the attitude you choose to take.

Sure, it is never easy out there but farmers still need to operate, crops need to be grown, and animals fed.

They will be buying. It’s just a question of whether they buy from you or someone else.

I’ll leave you with these last wise words from stoic Epictetus: “Circumstances do not make the man; they simply reveal him to himself.”