Future farmers need the edge

摘要

Farming businesses have not always attracted and employed the brightest, most forward-thinking managers to work in the rural industry. The sector has historically employed a predominantly male management workforce and daughters of farming families have often been discouraged to take on a management role within the business. Many capable daughters have therefore obtained employment off farm. In many farming businesses, it is presumed the sons will take on an active management role, regardless of their level of experience and education. It is not been uncommon to hear farmers say: "My son has not performed very well at school. However, that is all right. He is only going back to manage the family farm." Little consideration has been given to the factthat the family farm is a small business with assets quite often in excess of 1 million dollar or 2 million dollar.