Bagshaw Agri Consulting

11/10/2026

Today's Famers Club AgLetter article. You don't have to buy into other people's limiting beliefs..

Guest Contributor - Michael on Monday

Don’t be sucked in by other people’s limiting beliefs

By Michael Bagshaw

We all know the type I’m talking about. The person who’s always got a reason why a new idea won’t work. That’s a scarcity mindset at play right there. This is usually driven by a psychological belief system that is generally developed in childhood, but that’s another topic for another day.

An example was when I first started writing articles eight years ago, a partner of an accounting firm said he used to have to write articles for their client newsletter and that he never knew what to write about. He told me that I would soon run out of ideas, too. This inspired me to write about not buying into others’ limiting beliefs.

Point being, ideas are everywhere if you’re open to receiving them. This is as true for writing as it is for innovations in Farming. In my view, the vast majority of Farming businesses have an innovation mindset and are open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

Some are early adopters, and some like to hang back and wait and see what works first. No criticism of either method; both are valid responses.

I can’t help but think that a lot of openness to change is driven by necessity. Getting the same results as 20 years ago isn’t going to cut it in a 2026 cost environment. This is where Australia’s low subsidy ethos is helpful.

Again, many Farmers I know are excited about adopting new technology and look forward to trying new things. It does help to keep a level of enthusiasm around what they are doing.

Everyone who reads The Farmers Club newsletter will be rusted on Farming sector devotees.

All power to the innovators, I say!

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Bagshaw Agri Advisory provides specialised financial and consulting services for the agricultural industry. With expert advice in farm management, finance, and agribusiness strategies, we help you grow and succeed.

27/09/2026

Today's Farmers Club AgLetter article. As humans we're wired for connection. Close friends is like gold..

Guest Contributor - Michael on Monday

Keep your good mates close

By Michael Bagshaw

As I’m getting older, I value my long-term friendships more and more. I think as we get older, we realise how fleeting life really is, and there is a sense of finality that is closer than it once was.

I am incredibly lucky to have a core group of mates from my school days. Some of us have known each other for 55 years!

While I am still very much involved in Agriculture, the others all run highly successful Farming businesses. I probably am biased, but in my view, they are all A-grade Agribusiness owners.

When we catch up, we have what we colloquially term as our board meetings. There is a little bit of irony in this terminology, as they all have advisory boards, and I chair advisory boards for other Farming businesses.

These are great conversations, and nothing is off limits. As we all know each other so well, we all have implicit trust in each other.

The conversations can be robust and challenging. Everyone is there for the betterment of each other’s businesses and personal growth. Earlier in the year, we did a road trip together. This was a six-day, 2,000 km farm visit drive in three states.

Besides going to visit some top-rate Farming businesses, it was a hell of a lot of fun! We’ll be doing this again next year.

The other aspect of our friendship is how, in some ways, we’re getting closer as we’re getting older. We only catch up once or twice a year, but there are phone calls in between for a general chat.

We are all open about how much we mean to each other, and the hugs flow freely. Not bad going for a bunch of 60-year-old country blokes.

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15 Years Standing with Australian Farmers Founder Michael Bagshaw is celebrating 15 years as a specialist agri-finance broker. Leverage his deep industry experience to secure the best outcomes for your business. Contact Us Now Business Buzz column by Michael Bagshaw COLLABORATIVE farming takes many....

24/09/2026

This week's Stock Journal article. Take a chance, you never know where it might lead...

13/09/2026

Today's Farmers Club AgLetter article. I think the modern merino doesn't look like what I would call a real sheep. But in the right hands they are a production powerhouse...

Guest Contributor - Michael on Monday

I like the modern Merino, not sure about the look of them though

By Michael Bagshaw

The sight of the modern Merino should be music to the ears of a former cocky’s son, Shearer. I reckon even with my modest talent, I could crank out a decent tally. But to be honest, I’m not sold on the look of them.

As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, and I know the modern Merino with the right pedigree is a production machine.

In my head, I still have vision of the big, bold traditional Merino Ram that my uncle and grandfather loved to buy, and I hated to shear. Almost had to charge by the sq metre to earn a crust from those things.

Don’t get me started on the horned rams. Getting around the tight horns with ease was way above my pay grade.

Actually, this is bringing back some bad memories if I’m honest. The handpiece rattling loudly when up against the Ram horns. And even worse, the handpiece locking up and flying out of your hand when the immovable object of the metal ear tag interacted with the irresistible force of the pin drive downtube!

I have two clients that run very successful modern Merino studs, so I have been very lucky to have a front-row seat and observe what traits they are breeding for and what they are trying to achieve, not only for themselves, but more importantly, their clients.

I’m really privileged when I get to analyse the financial results and the resulting trend line. The gross margins are ever increasing from the Sheep enterprise, and the pattern is only going one way. Up.

As a good mate of mine was fond of saying. It’s a no-brainer….

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15 Years Standing with Australian Farmers Founder Michael Bagshaw is celebrating 15 years as a specialist agri-finance broker. Leverage his deep industry experience to secure the best outcomes for your business. Contact Us Now Business Buzz column by Michael Bagshaw COLLABORATIVE farming takes many....

12/09/2026

Today's Farmers Club AgLetter article. Government policy made on the run never ends well.....

Guest Contributor - Michael on Saturday

The trust budget changes that could be kindly described as a clusterf..k

By Michael Bagshaw

I try to be a glass-half-full type of guy, but seriously, you can’t make this stuff up!

Believe it or not (unfortunately I do believe it), we are on our fourth iteration of tweaks to the trust rules in the recent federal budget. Please, can someone put some adults in the room! Hold my b**r: another backdown today; that’s now five.

The saying goes, with any changes to laws, the ultimate winners are the accountants and lawyers. In this case, the quote from the AFR below sums it up perfectly. “One way or another, it looks like being another bonanza for tax advisers and accountants.”

I’m attending a webinar next week hosted by Cowell Clarke Commercial Lawyers and among all the technical updates, there will no doubt be the latest commentary on the proposed tax changes as they stand on that day (subject to change).

This is what happens when the sole motivation of the federal government is to increase the overall tax take. You’ll get no arguments from me about the need for all tiers of government requiring funds to provide services. All on board with that notion, and in comparison to many other countries, we have excellent services.

But there are fundamental flaws (in my view) of how the government view innovation and aspiration. The fatal flaw is that these two crucial elements are stymied almost out of existence.

We have pretty much an abundance of everything in the country, but it seems the MO of the government is to cut off our nose to spite our face.

The treasurer is a consummate politician; shame he doesn’t understand economics, the economy, and aspiration.

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Bagshaw Agri Advisory | Expert Agricultural Finance & Consulting Services

08/09/2026

Today's Farmers Club AgLetter article. Having a plan and executing the plan is a recipe for success...

Guest Contributor - Michael on Monday

Having a plan and as importantly executing it.

By Michael Bagshaw

All good businesses have a plan and are methodical at ex*****on. Including having to change course over the journey as circumstances dictate. Planning is as relevant for the military as it is for a high-performing Agri operation.

I have seen an example of this over the last few years with a modern Merino stud (Coleburra). I have seen the business grow and evolve over the last 7-10 years.

The strategy was clear from the get-go, and the people behind the business have had a laser-like focus on the outcome. It’s been a delight to observe this from my vantage point.

Besides having a plan and superb ex*****on, I think the secret ingredient has been the passion for the business and an unwavering belief that they will succeed.

There has been a concerted effort to build capacity in the core desired breeding values, and now that this has been achieved, other attributes are being introduced. The access to and willingness to invest in top-class genetics has also sped up progress rapidly.

Also, not trying to be everything to everybody is another aspect of the operation I admire. What you produce isn’t going to be universally loved, and it doesn’t have to be. You only need to cater for your target audience.

For a stud that only had its 5th sale recently, it’s been a stratospheric rise. I don’t know very many Merino studs averaging $3,900 with their 5th sale. The clearance was 100%, and they sold like hotcakes.

They had what the market wanted. Or more importantly, they had what their customers wanted.

We can all learn from the experience of this Merino stud. The lessons are relevant in any aspect of life. Don’t try to be everything to everybody.

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