From stress to strategy: how the McInerneys built a resilient farm business

In the first episode of this special AgRi-silience series, we visit Mark and Rachel McInerney at Riverton, South Australia, to hear how they navigate adversity by redefining their roles on the farm and turning professional development into a catalyst for business renewal.In this chat you'll hear:How an HR masterclass became the starting point for major business change The impact of back-to-back climate challenges and how they planned through uncertaintyHow weekly planning, clear roles, and external coaching transformed their partnershipThe story behind launching their direct-to-consumer beef businessHow involving their children is shaping a future-ready sixth generationKey Takeaways:Resilience isn’t just surviving tough years, it’s planning for the next tenGround rules and family meetings can turn tension into teamworkProfessional development is for every age, every stageBalancing passion with profitability is possible, even during droughtChapters:00:00 The McInerney family journey so far05:57 Adapting business models and financial strategies09:00 The shift in roles and responsibilities11:59 Seeking external help and professional development21:06 Mental load and work-life balance28:32 Transforming communication in a family business dynamic44:04 Balancing professional growth and personal joyLinks and resourcesCheck out the McInerneys’ beef business at Garyowen HerefordsMore episodes of Humans of Agriculture About AgRi-silienceToday's episode is part of our partnership with Livestock SA's AgRi-Silience program, designed to improve strategic planning and long-term resilience for forward-looking South Australian livestock and broadacre enterprises.Participants of the program get one-on-one coaching, tailored advice from a consultant and get the chance to meet a network of other farmers enabling long term strategic planning to sustain your business into the future.Funded by the Australian Government and the Government of South Australia as part of the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program, AgRi-Silience has already helped over 1000 South Australian farmers build financial literacy, confidence in decision-making, and essential resilience skills.You can secure your place and take the next step towards a more resilient future by visiting the AgRi-Silience page on the Livestock SA website www.livestocksa.com.au.Cut out dinnerIt's a challenging time for many. The AgRi-Silience Cut Out dinner is a great opportunity to pause, reset and come together to gain collective strength from shared stories and ideas. Book your seat at the AgRi-silience Cut Out Dinner at Sunnybrae Estate in Adelaide on June 20th.  Tickets are just $65 for alumni and $80 for industry participants. If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!