Applications for the 2025 intake of Rabobank’s Business Management Programmes – the Farm Managers Programme (FMP) and the Executive Development Programme (EDP) – are now open.
Developed specifically for primary producers from across New Zealand and Australia who are looking to take their business and leadership to the next level, the Farm Managers Programme (FMP) is suitable for up-and-coming farmers looking to enhance their decision-making capabilities, while the Executive Development Programme (EDP) caters for experienced business owners or senior managers.
Announcing the opening of applications for 2025, Rabobank New Zealand General Manager for Country Banking Bruce Weir said more than 1400 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman had participated in the Business Management Programmes across the past 25 years.
“The programmes are incredibly valuable for our primary producers as they allow them the opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day operational-side of their businesses and spend time developing strategies to ensure that their operations remain resilient into the future,” he said.
Participants from Rabobank’s 2024 Executive Development Programme
“The programmes also provide participants with networking opportunities with like-minded primary producers from different sectors across the two countries and, in many cases, relationships started on the programmes continue far beyond the completion of the course.
“Previous participants tell us these ongoing relationships are a key benefit of the course and we help to foster these via our regular Business Management Programme alumni events across New Zealand and Australia.”
Mr Weir said this year’s FMP will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley from June 15 to 20.
“The FMP provides a forum for farmers from across a range of agricultural sectors to find out what is working for them in their farming roles,” he said.
“The programme will help participants enhance their leadership and operational skills to prepare themselves for future management roles and includes sessions on topics including communication and influencing skills, conflict management, sustainable farm business planning, financial management and managing people.”
Mr Weir said this year’s line-up of FMP presenters would again include recently-appointed Horticulture New Zealand CEO Kate Scott.
“Kate has featured as a presenter on the programme for several years now, and we’re really excited to have her involved again this year to provide insights into the New Zealand sustainability story, sharing practical advice on sustainable farm-business planning,” he said.
“Other confirmed presenters for the FMP include former AFL player and coach, Brett Burton, and former Executive Dean of Business and Law at Southern Cross University, Dr Robin Stonecash, who continues her 25-year involvement with Rabobank’s Business Management Programmes.”
Mr Weir said the EDP, which runs as two one-week long residential modules approximately a year apart, will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney, with the first module of the EDP running from August 24 to 29 and the second scheduled for late July in 2026.
“The EDP helps participants build strategic planning capabilities and commercial management skills to help drive business growth,” he said.
“Key topics covered on the programme include formulation and implementation of long-term strategy, applying effective economic rationale to goal setting and decision making, and effective leadership skills.
“Between the first and second modules of the programme, participants are also tasked with developing a management project which explores opportunities to make improvements within their own farming operation. This element of the programme gives participants an opportunity to immediately apply the skills and knowledge from the first EDP module and, over the years, we’ve had some fantastic ideas outlined in these projects which have resulted in significant positive benefits for our participants’ farming businesses.”
Applications for the FMP and EDP close on Monday, March 31. Further information and applications can be found at https://www.rabobank.co.nz/agribusiness/business-management-programs