Dollars In The Dirt

#024 - Ranking Banks For Ag Finance

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] Choosing a bank is not just about the lowest rate, it is about finding a lender that understands agriculture and can structure a deal that fits your operation. In this new episode, Brecken ranks the major banks based on real performance, policy flexibility, turnaround times, and how well they support producers today. ◼️ How each major bank is positioned in ag right now ◼️ Which lenders are slow, understaffed, or pulling back ◼️ Which banks are growing and offering more flexibility ◼️ Why the cheapest rate often costs more long term ◼️ How the right bank can save $40k to $50k a year on a $2 to $3M loan Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 - Commonwealth Bank Overview 00:01:46 - ANZ Bank Assessment 00:02:59 - NAB's Role in Agricultural Finance 00:03:41 - Westpac's Resurgence in Ag Banking 00:04:33 - Rabobank's Unique Offerings 00:05:49 - Introduction to Judo Bank 00:06:30 - Bendigo Bank's Flexibility 00:07:55 - Importance of Comparing Bank Options 00:08:57 - Understanding Your Business Needs 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/]

#023 - The Most COMMON Farm Finance Questions I Get Asked

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] A lot of producers think growth under Albanese is impossible, but the operators still expanding aren’t relying on luck or waiting for policy to shift. They’re building a business model that can absorb rising costs, tightening environmental rules and a banking system now watching your ESG footprint as closely as your numbers. In this new episode, Brecken breaks down the five questions farmers ask him every week, and why the smartest operators approach each one differently. This episode covers ◼️ The real considerations behind fixed vs variable decisions ◼️ Why comparing your rate to your neighbour’s tells you nothing about your deal ◼️ How banks assess borrowing capacity and why it varies so widely ◼️ What lenders will and won’t finance across different asset types ◼️ Why predicting property prices is the wrong strategy for long‑term growth Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:52 - Fixed vs. Variable Interest Rates 00:03:18 - Comparing Interest Rates with Neighbors 00:05:04 - The Role of a Finance Broker 00:05:46 - Understanding Borrowing Capacity 00:07:09 - Should You Borrow the Maximum? 00:07:30 - What Can You Borrow Money For? 00:08:45 - Predicting Property Prices 00:10:20 - Getting Started in the Rural Industry 00:11:55 - Focus on Structure, Cash Flow, and Strategy 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/]

#022 - What Does Growing Your Farm Look Like Under Albanese

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] A lot of producers think growth under Albanese is impossible, but the operators still expanding aren’t relying on luck or waiting for policy to shift. They’re building a business model that can absorb rising costs, tightening environmental rules and a banking system now watching your ESG footprint as closely as your numbers. In this new episode, Brecken breaks down what growing a farm actually looks like in the current policy environment and the four shifts top operators are making to stay ahead, without relying on political outcomes or hoping conditions improve. This episode covers: ◼️ How rising costs, compliance and environmental rules reshape long term farm budgets ◼️ Why banks are assessing climate risk, sustainability plans and drought strategy before approving rural lending ◼️ The structures top operators use to build buffers, protect cash flow and grow regardless of who is in Canberra Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:21 - Understanding Rising Costs and Compliance 00:01:02 - Environmental Pressures and Compliance Costs 00:01:57 - Budgeting for Expansion and Hidden Costs 00:02:07 - Banks' Focus on Climate Risks and ESG 00:02:48 - Importance of ESG in Loan Applications 00:03:09 - Season Finance: Tailored Agricultural Lending 00:03:50 - Best Practices: Cash Buffers and Debt Structuring 00:04:11 - Embracing Compliance as Strategy 00:04:22 - Positive Outlook: Global Demand and Efficiency Gains 00:05:05 - Adapting Business Models to Succeed 00:05:25 - Conclusion: Managing Risk and Building Buffers 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/]

#021 - What the RBA Rate Rises Mean For Farmers

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] A lot of producers assume rising rates are the thing that will break their business, but the real damage shows up when cash flow is tight and there’s no structure in place to absorb the pressure. In this episode, Brecken breaks down how rate rises actually hit a farm business and why the best operators restructure early instead of reacting late. This episode covers: ◼️ How rate rises cut straight into net profit and cash flow surplus ◼️ How bank scrutiny and lending policies tighten in a rising‑rate cycle ◼️ Why proactive restructuring beats waiting until cash flow is tight Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 - Understanding Rate Rises and Cash Flow Impact 00:01:23 - Importance of Forecasting and Break-Even Analysis 00:02:05 - Bank Conservatism in Rising Interest Rate Cycles 00:03:08 - Season Finance: Tailored Agricultural Lending Solutions 00:03:40 - Fixed vs. Variable Rates: Strategic Decisions 00:04:52 - Proactive Cash Flow Management and Refinancing 00:05:45 - Conclusion: Managing Risk and Structuring Debt 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/]

#020 - Reacting to Viral Clips About Fuel Costs, Fertiliser and Farm Pressure

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] This episode breaks down a series of viral clips about government spending, fuel campaigns and urea supply, and looks at how these issues land inside real farm businesses. The focus stays on what producers can control, how to keep the business moving and why structure and cash flow matter more than the noise. This episode covers: ◼️ How fuel and fertiliser pressures flow through to farm operations ◼️ Why mindset and cash flow discipline matter during volatility ◼️ The structural decisions that influence long‑term resilience Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:30 - Managing Mindset in Agriculture 00:02:50 - Critique of Government Spending 00:04:30 - Urea Supply for Farmers 00:06:00 - Government Advertising and Fuel Supply Issues 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/]