Ms Notter said she was excited that her farm, where she and her staff milk 500 cows, had been selected.

“I hope to apply a whole farm approach to link together the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the business,” she said. 

“We are currently looking to expand the business so being involved in this project will give me access to a wealth of knowledge and experience which will assist in the decision making process.”

The Business Focus Farm Project, which will commence early this year, focuses on a farming enterprise that aims to improve operating surplus through better understanding of operational costs and by maximising home grown feed utilisation. This is achieved by close monitoring of farm activities and expenditure.

Hugh Crockford of HEC Consulting Group will facilitate the project and the farm will be supported by a group made up of 10 farmers and 10 service providers from around the region. 

WestVic Dairy extension officer Laurie Hickey was involved in the selection process.

“Shannon’s business is well placed to show how the setting of business goals needs to blend with elements of profitability, lifestyle balance and farm succession planning,” Mr Hickey said.

“This business has potential for expansion with key decisions to be made around stock numbers, wet paddock drainage, irrigation and the growing of fodder crops.

“Shannon is currently undertaking a Nuffield Scholarship focused on dairy farm business profitability – which is highly relevant to the Focus Farm process,” he said.

WestVic Dairy is also looking for a further two farms to take part in the program. These are scheduled to commence in July 2019. More information is available from Mr Hickey on 0439 833 484.

Business Focus Farms provide an opportunity for all farmers and service providers to learn from being involved in the two year journey. A strength of Business Focus Farms is that their findings come ‘warts and all,’ which further enhances their relevance to other farmers.