Rural Business Support chief executive officer Brett Smith saying now is an opportune time for producers to focus on developing a strategic business plan.

RBS will hold a meeting in Katherine tomorrow at Knotts Crossing from 11am, with lunch provided.

“When things are going well it’s important for producers to focus on preparedness, as the challenge of being a producer is that we will always be challenged in one way or the other, as something is always around the corner,” Mr Smith said.

“In better times it’s about making sure that money is spent on things that will help build resilience into enterprises. It’s important that producers ensure they are paying down debt and planning where they want to be as a business in the medium-term, the next five to 10 years.

“Part of this planning is looking at succession – what are the major investments that need to made or taken? Where do producers want to be at the end of, and during, this period of time? Is it through expansion? Buying another property? Or through improving pastures, land diversification or enterprise diversification?”

A not-for-profit organisation, RBS have had a strong presence in the NT region since 2011, when the live export cattle ban was enacted.

They are the service provider for the Rural Financial Counselling Service and work with a wide spectrum of rural industries across the NT, from Darwin to Katherine and further south, including Alice Springs.

“Our involvement during the cattle ban was very significant as we worked very closely with industry and pastoralists,” Mr Smith said.

“We have subsequently maintained a presence in the NT to work with those who need assistance at any time. This can be at times of adverse events, which inevitably occur due to the fact that droughts, floods, market prices and diseases and pests are ongoing issues that primary producers need to deal with. In more positive times, such as we’re experiencing at present, it’s about future-proofing businesses.”

Notable guests will include former NT Cattlemen’s Association Chief Executive Officer Luke Bowen, now the current Northern Australia Development & Trade Agriculture Industry Advisory Council General Manager, and Neil MacDonald, the Regional Director of the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries’ Katherine Research Station.