Smart Decisions workshops build confidence in farm decision-making

 

The Smart Decisions workshop program is helping producers in South-West Victoria strengthen whole-farm planning and make earlier, more confident seasonal decisions.

Developed by Southern Farming Systems (SFS), the South-West Node lead of the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub, with Cam Nicholson from Nicon Rural Services, the program gives producers practical tools to understand their own farming system, assess risk, protect ground cover and respond to seasonal variability.

The first round of pilot workshops has been completed across south-west Victoria, with 35 producers now using the tools to map and analyse their own farming systems ahead of the second workshop round in June.

 

Building confidence before decisions become urgent

 

Cam Nicholson said, “Decision-making – everyone does it. But have we ever been formally taught how to make a decision, and why are some decisions better than others?

The Smart Decisions program has been developed for producers working through increasingly variable seasonal conditions, where timely decisions can have a significant impact on feed supply, stocking rates, ground cover, cash flow and long-term farm resilience.

While many producers look for simple trigger points or rules of thumb, the program recognises that every farming system is different.

Instead of applying generic benchmarks, the workshops support producers to better understand the drivers, constraints and opportunities within their own farm business, so they can develop decision points that are practical, relevant and tailored to their operation.

 

From whole-farm planning to practical trigger points

 

The first round of workshops introduced participants to two key tools designed to help farmers assess and strategically plan their individual systems.

Participants are now working through a between-workshop phase, using those tools to map their farm systems and build a clearer picture of the factors influencing their decisions.

This step is a critical part of the program. By taking time to understand their own system in detail, producers can move beyond reactive decision-making and prepare for the practical choices they may need to make as conditions change.

The second round of workshops in June will shift the focus from strategic planning to tactical decision-making.

With farm data and system insights in hand, participants will work through practical trigger points that can guide earlier decisions around stocking rates, feed gaps, pasture management and seasonal risk.

 

Supporting proactive farm management

 

Smart Decisions combines strategic planning with tactical action to help producers make decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

The program supports farmers to identify the signs that matter in their own system, understand the trade-offs involved and act earlier when seasonal conditions shift.

The aim is not to provide a single answer for every farm, but to equip producers with a practical framework they can use to make better-informed decisions during challenging and variable seasons.

This activity is part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Assistance Package for south-west Victoria. Find out more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

 

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More resources

 

Search South-West Node resources, including Uncertain Times Workshop & Tools and Autumn/Winter Feedbase Planning resources:
https://vicdroughthub.org.au/resources/2025-dry-season-seasonal-conditions-resources

 

Additional drought support available for south-west Victoria
See current targeted support, including household support, increased Farm Drought Support Grants and broader statewide support:
https://vicdroughthub.org.au/news-events/updates/update/south-west-victoria-drought-support-2026

 

South-West one-on-one advisory offer
Find details here:  https://vicdroughthub.org.au/news-events/news-articles/article/south-west-one-on-one-advisory-offer