Even when the weather is fine and seas are calm, good sailors don’t relax completely. They make sure their boat is on course and in good shape, and they constantly watch for any changes in the weather. It’s the same in farming. A successful farm business plans its direction, keeps its eye on the farm’s performance and watches for any changes that might be ahead. When the going gets tough, and even when it’s not, successful farm managers review their business plans, watch their production, marketing and finances closely and make any adjustments needed to keep the business on track. That’s what this book is about. It shows how to write a business plan step by step, how to monitor the performance of the farm business and how to decide if changes are needed to keep the business on track. A business plan is a great tool for any farm. It helps owners, managers and other stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the future and adopt a strategic approach to achieving that vision. A well prepared plan can help to keep the farm business viable, profitable and satisfying for those involved.

"[This book] shows how to write a business plan, how to monitor the performance of the farm business and how to decide if changes are needed to keep the business on track" --Introduction.

Combining the expertise of many of Australia’s leading native bee researchers, this book is a guide to observing and keeping Australia’s broad range of native bee species. Australian Native Bees, now in a slightly updated new edition, provides a wealth of advice on how you can support and enjoy our native bees, whether you grow broad-acre crops or have an urban backyard. You can learn about: • how bees build nests, forage and provide crucial pollination services • how you can examine and recognise our solitary and semi-social bees: blue banded bees, teddy bear bees, carpenter bees, leafcutters, resin bees, cuckoo bees and more • urban bee ecology • how to build a bee hotel • how to keep the popular stingless bees in specialised hives • the importance of native bees and other crop pollinators, and how managed native bees can be used to pollinate crops • bee biosecurity.

Managing water in plant nurseries is the preeminent technical manual for irrigation, drainage and water recycling in Australia nursery production, and a benchmark text internationally. This 3rd edition is testimony to the ongoing value the industry places in achieving world-leading best practice in container irrigation, water management, recycling and reuse. CONTENTS Foreword Chapter 1. Water supply Chapter 2. Water quality and testing Chapter 3. Disinfestation: water and irrigation as a source of disease Chapter 4. Pumps and other irrigation equipment Chapter 5. Nursery filtration system Chapter 6. Top-watering irrigation systems Chapter 7 Bottom-watering irrigation systems Chapter 8. Misting and fogging systems Chapter 9. Growing media and irrigation management Chapter 10. System design, operation and maintenance Chapter 11. Fertigation in nurseries Chapter 12. Drainage systems Reference and further reading

"Brings the business planning process alive to help today's agriculture entrepreneurs transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises. Sample worksheets illustrate how real farm families set goals, research processing alternatives, determine potential markets, and evaluate financing options. Blank worksheets offer readers the opportunity to develop their own detailed, lender-ready business plan and map out strategies" --back cover.

This practical book shows producers how to make good decisions in the beef industry. It provides an overview of the cattle industry, with details on breeding management, pastures, selling methods and costs, beef grading and marketing, muscle and fat scores. Contains diagrams and photos with easy to follow instructions. AgGuides are compiled by highly regarded industry experts to provide easy to follow advice on agriculture and support the Tocal College external study program for agriculture. Written by: Jennifer Laffan Technical advisers: Ian Blackwood, Brett Littler Table of Contents: · Cattle industry overview · Manage the breeding herd · Pastures for the herd · Selling methods and costs · Other aspects of marketing · Muscle and muscle score · Fat assessment and fat scores · Frame size · Growth, maturity and carcase suitability · Understand your product · The killsheet · Get the best return · Some terms explained · Appendix 1: Ruminants and rumination · Appendix 2: Calculating and using DSE ratings for beef cattle

Property planning is a key part of caring for your land. Learn how to plan your farm layout so you can manage soil types and land capabilities to achieve sustainable production. Plan nature conservation measures to improve biodiversity and enterprise viability. Property Planning takes a simple, step-by-step approach. Now in its 4th edition, Property Planning now includes a brief introduction to digital farm mapping and AgTech.