#030 - The Real Cost Behind Farming Decisions

#030 - The Real Cost Behind Farming Decisions

Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled [https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled] In this reaction episode, Brecken breaks down the real issues behind rising production costs, equipment debt traps, net worth tracking, succession pressure and why operators get squeezed when they’re not across their numbers. These clips might be funny, blunt or uncomfortable, but every one of them shows what’s actually happening inside Australian farm businesses right now. ◼️ Why rising costs and depreciation are hitting operators harder than they realise ◼️ How equipment finance decisions quietly reduce borrowing capacity ◼️ Why net worth tracking and early succession planning matter more than ever Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 - Legacy and Generational Differences in Farming 00:00:34 - Importance of Net Worth Statements 00:00:49 - Challenges in Saving Money in Farming 00:01:02 - Adapting to Rising Production Costs 00:01:43 - Understanding Expenses and Budgeting 00:02:09 - Equipment Costs and Depreciation 00:02:34 - Financing Equipment and Its Impact 00:03:41 - Generational Succession Planning 00:04:45 - Importance of Early Succession Planning 00:05:05 - Season Finance Advertisement 00:05:25 - Interest Rate Hikes and Their Impact 00:06:40 - Economic Pressures and Business Resilience 00:07:30 - Equipment Debt and Land Financing 00:08:42 - Monitoring Net Worth Annually 00:09:10 - Asset and Liability Management Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis [https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/] Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au [https://seasonedfinance.com.au/]

#029 - 900 Rural Bank Branches Gone (Regional Banking Crisis)

Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled [https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled] Regional Australia has lost nearly 900 bank branches in nine years, and the impact on agricultural lending is far bigger than most producers realise. In this episode, Brecken breaks down what the closures mean for complex finance, why the new Regional Banking Investment Alliance matters, and how farmers can protect their banking relationships before the next branch disappears. ◼️ How branch closures weaken access to decision makers for ag lending ◼️ Why the pass‑through banking model is failing regional communities ◼️ How brokers provide stability when banks abandon the bush Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:56 - The Scale of Regional Bank Closures 00:01:29 - The Loss of Local Knowledge 00:02:32 - The Pass-Through Banking Model 00:03:34 - Vulnerabilities of Relying on Major Banks 00:03:55 - Building Relationships Without Physical Branches 00:04:58 - The Role of Brokers in Financial Stability Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis [https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/] Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au [https://seasonedfinance.com.au/]

#028 - Stop Letting Your Bank Build Your Farm Budget

Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled [https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled] Banks build compliance budgets to protect their loan book, not to grow your business. In this episode, Brecken shows how to take control of your numbers, restructure finance, and build a strategic growth budget that reflects your farm’s true potential. ◼️ Why bank‑built budgets limit borrowing capacity and growth ◼️ How timing errors and generic assumptions distort cash flow ◼️ The power of a strategic growth budget to negotiate from strength Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 - Restructuring Working Capital 00:00:42 - Conflict of Interest with Banks 00:01:45 - Strategic Purchases and Budgeting 00:02:37 - Understanding Farm Operations 00:03:41 - Strategic Growth Budget 00:05:06 - Negotiating from Strength Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis [https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/] Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au [https://seasonedfinance.com.au/]

#027 - The $2.9B Farming Revolution (Virtual Fencing!?)

Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled [https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled] Virtual fencing has moved from gadget to $2.9B industry, but banks don’t automatically fund innovation. In this episode, Brecken shows how to build a bulletproof finance case so lenders see the upside, not just the risk. ◼️ Why banks treat ag tech as expense unless ROI is proven ◼️ How to structure finance terms to match technology lifespan ◼️ The broker’s edge in translating innovation into credit approval Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 - Structuring a Finance Proposal 00:00:41 - Bank's View on Ag Tech 00:01:22 - Capital Expense vs. Business Improvement 00:02:04 - Loan Options for Ag Tech 00:02:36 - Translating Investment into Bank Terms 00:03:29 - Aligning Loan Terms with Technology Lifespan 00:03:51 - Importance of Capital Management 00:04:12 - Broker's Knowledge of Lenders 00:05:16 - Innovation vs. Conservative Lending Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis [https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/] Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au [https://seasonedfinance.com.au/]

#026 - The $1.48 Trillion Farmland Valuation

Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled [https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled] Australian farmland has hit $1.48 trillion, but higher valuations don’t automatically make producers wealthier. In this episode, Brecken breaks down how top operators turn unrealised equity into resilience, cash flow and long term security before the cycle cools. ◼️ Why sitting on equity keeps farmers asset rich and cash poor ◼️ How strategic off farm assets create monthly income and drought resilience ◼️ The succession advantage created by deploying equity early Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:10 - Understanding Equity vs. Cash Flow 00:01:03 - Leveraging Equity for Business Growth 00:02:17 - Diversifying Off-Farm Investments 00:03:43 - Strategic Infrastructure Investments 00:04:36 - The Importance of Water Management 00:05:28 - Succession Planning and Wealth Transfer 00:06:21 - Taking Action While Valuations are High 00:06:43 - Conclusion: Building a Stronger Business Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis [https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/] Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au [https://seasonedfinance.com.au/]