Plan 2 Profit upper EP 2026

The Plan to Profit program gave Upper Eyre Peninsula farmers the opportunity to strengthen their financial management skills, plan ahead and build confidence in navigating the ups and downs of farming.

Delivered by P2P Agri and coordinated by AIR EP, the program ran from July to September 2026 as part of the Eyre Peninsula Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program. Building on the interest generated through the earlier Risky Business workshops, Plan to Profit took things a step further, giving participants the opportunity to take a deeper dive into their own farm business finances.

The program attracted 18 mixed-farming businesses and one accountant, well exceeding the original target of ten businesses. Participants worked through five fortnightly online workshops, covering key areas of farm business management including:

• Understanding profitability, financial ratios and cash flow
• Setting business goals and planning for the future
• Preparing current-season financial estimates
• Developing five-year business forecasts
• Testing different financial scenarios, including drought and poor seasonal returns

The workshops were designed to be practical, with participants using P2P Agri tools and their own business figures to put the learning into action. Recordings were made available for those unable to attend live, while individual online coaching sessions provided the opportunity to work through specific financial questions and challenges relevant to each business.

A key focus was helping farmers look beyond the current season. By developing longer-term forecasts and exploring different 'what-if' scenarios, participants could better understand how changes in seasonal conditions, profitability and business decisions might impact their financial position. These skills are particularly valuable in building stronger, more resilient farming businesses that can better prepare for drought and other financial pressures.

Positive Results and Practical Takeaways

All nine respondents to the final survey reported increased confidence in making business decisions, while six had already made changes to their financial management practices. All nine also indicated they intended to make further improvements.

Knowledge gains were particularly strong in areas such as five-year forecasting, scenario analysis and understanding profit-and-loss statements. Participants also highlighted the value of more proactive planning, clearer assessment of business profitability and improved communication between those involved in managing the farm.

While building good financial management habits takes time, the program provided a valuable starting point for participants to take greater control of their business finances. With new tools, practical skills and increased confidence, Upper EP farming businesses are better equipped to plan ahead, assess risks and make informed decisions through both good seasons and challenging ones.

The EP Course Report is available for viewing below along with the Farm Business Plan template which can be downloaded and used.