We have a business plan that we regularly update. Other minor enterprises that we have a bit of fun with are playing in a rock and roll band, which was a very important part of our cash flow many years ago, hosting and coordinating overseas farm tourism, running a landscape and design consultancy and opening our garden to the public. If all looks good, and it is somewhere within the bounds of our expertise or capabilities, then all we have to do is produce quality, quality and quality. Then we ask ourselves whether this is really what we want to do. Flexibility is important as you have to recognise changing technology and react to it if you want to keep your place in the market.
Diversity is a challenge.
It gives you the opportunity to do something you like doing and therefore you will probably do it very well. Some people walk in the rain, whereas others only get wet. This approach makes better use of capital and machinery and has so far enabled us to succeed and remain on the land. Our Farm is a prime example of a new approach to land management that is gradually finding ground in Australia. Had it not been for our approach to diversification of our farm operations, we would still be dependent on an ever dwindling wool cheque for our income.