Last week, we brought together over 150 farm businesses for our Top Producers Program—two days of honest conversations, practical strategies, and big-picture planning. 

We only run this event twice a year and every time we’re reminded of the power of stepping away from the day-to-day and taking time to really focus on what makes a farm business successful. 

We love running this workshop where farm owners do some really strategic thinking on their business and leave with inspiration and an action plan to make lasting changes in their business.  

I was reminded of this in a discussion with a family who attended our last event in June 2024 and were back for more this February. 

Here is what they had achieved in just 7 months: 

• Purchased another property which settled in January 2025. 

• Doubled the scale of their cropping and grazing enterprises which is driving their profitability up. 

• Completed the Cashflow Optimiser Program and the Farm Financial Framework Program and nailed their numbers for their business. 

• This clarity and confidence allowed them to renegotiate their interest rates with their bank and reduce them from over 8% to 6.3% (talk about $1,000 per hour work). 

• They are energised and excited about their next growth step and are confident in the business they are creating for their future and their 3 kids. 

• Their next goal is to set the business up so it can run without them for at least 6 weeks so they can take an overseas holiday as a family – something they never thought was possible before the Top Producers. 

Well done team I can’t wait to see what is next for you. 

We had a diverse group of farmers in the room—from different industries, backgrounds, and experience levels—but all with the same goal: to build a profitable, scalable farm business that doesn’t rely on them 24/7. 

So, What Makes a Top Producer? 

A Top Producer isn’t just someone who works hard (we all do that).  

It’s about working smart—understanding the numbers, building systems, and making decisions that create profit and freedom, not just another long day in the paddock. 

Over two days, we dug into what’s working right now for the best farm businesses. 

Some key takeaways: 

• The top 20% of farmers make 5x more profit than the average. It’s not because they work harder—it’s because they know where to focus their time and money. 

• The best farm owners don’t just think like farmers; they think like business owners. They know their numbers, have a clear plan, and make decisions based on profitability, not just production. 

• Having a team on the same page—whether that’s family, staff, or business partners—makes all the difference. A farm business works best when everyone knows the vision and is pulling in the same direction. 

• Most farms have hidden profits sitting there, waiting to be utilised. Whether it’s streamlining costs, improving cash flow, or leveraging assets better, small changes can make a big impact. 

The Power of Changing Your Environment 

One of the biggest benefits of this workshop is getting out of the everyday routine and seeing your business from a fresh perspective. 

There’s a great analogy we use: 

If you had a sick goldfish, you wouldn’t just treat the fish—you’d clean the water. 

It’s the same with farming.  

Sometimes, the best way to fix a problem is to change the environment you’re making decisions in.  

Taking two days to step back, talk to other farmers, and challenge the way you’ve always done things can lead to huge breakthroughs. 

What Farmers Took Away from the Workshop 

Aside from a clear plan for the next 90 days, 12 months, and 10 years, farmers walked away with: 

• A business audit—What’s working? What’s not? What needs to change? 

• Clarity on where to focus next to get the biggest financial impact. 

• The key numbers that matter—what the top producers measure and how to track them. 

• Better ways to recruit and retain good people (because finding great staff is one of the biggest challenges in Ag). 

• Succession clarity—who’s responsible for what, and what’s holding the process up. 

• A mindset shift—moving from “doing the work” to “building a business that works”. 

And one of the most valuable things? A network of like-minded farmers to share ideas with and learn from. 

What Farmers Had to Say 

Here are some incredible insights that we received from those who were there: 

“When it comes to building and growing a successful agricultural business (whatever success looks like for you…), if you think about the topics and aspects that you would like covered in a program, I guarantee you that Farm Owners Academy covers it all! We’ve just completed the 2-day TOP Producers Workshop and I think it’s safe to say that our lives will never be the same! Very empowering, very inspiring and extremely crucial! Could not recommend highly enough! Loved it!” 
– Emma Kuerschner 

“Thoroughly enjoyed the 2-day TOP Producers Workshop. A lot of insights and strategies to implement in our business and life. Great team of supportive people who are there to help. Money well spent.” 
– Ashley Schmidt 

“What a fabulous wealth of knowledgeable people. It has been fantastic getting together with like-minded people. Well done for such a fantastic informative program. The team’s enthusiasm to help and advice really shows and makes the sessions enjoyable to follow. Well done FOA.” 
– Bec Hay 

Looking Ahead 

Farming is more than just hard work—it’s about building something sustainable, profitable, and rewarding. And that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you take the time to step back, make a plan, and focus on what really moves the needle. 

For those who joined us last week—we can’t wait to see what you achieve next. 

And if you’re thinking about joining us next time, keep an eye out. The next Top Producers Workshop will be here before you know it. 

Regards,  

Sam Johnsson-CEO and The Farm Owners Academy Team  

P.S. If you’re serious about taking your farm business to the next level, don’t wait until the last minute! Early bird pricing is available now for the next Top Producers Program—secure your spot and start making real progress toward more profit, more freedom, and more control. Register here!

P.S.S Below are some more reviews of the event