Cash runs deeper than profits in farming, and without proper flow management, even the most profitable agricultural enterprises can find themselves in dire straits. Mastering your cash flow forecast isn't just good practice—it's essential for survival and growth in the unpredictable world of agriculture.

The fundamental principle "Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, cash is reality" highlights why poor cash flow management frequently leads to business failure despite positive numbers on paper. A properly constructed cash flow forecast functions as your financial roadmap, modelling future liquidity typically over a 12-month period and estimating both incoming and outgoing cash movements. This strategic tool proves especially valuable for agribusinesses facing variable conditions and seasonal challenges that can quickly derail operations without proper planning.

Taking ownership of your forecasting process delivers significant advantages. While banks may prepare forecasts for lending purposes, the greatest benefit comes when farmers drive the process themselves, potentially working alongside their accountant rather than delegating entirely. Your intimate knowledge of operations, seasonal patterns, and business nuances creates a more accurate and useful financial projection. Regular monitoring—comparing actual performance against projections monthly or bimonthly—transforms this forecast from a static document into a dynamic management tool that prevents small discrepancies from growing into significant problems.

Modern technology has revolutionized farm financial management, with specialized platforms like Figured catering specifically to agricultural businesses. These digital solutions complement professional support from accountants who understand the unique challenges of farming enterprises. By dedicating just 15-20 minutes to reviewing your cash position against projections, you establish good monitoring habits that provide immediate insight into developing trends or discrepancies. Through this disciplined approach, cash flow forecasting becomes the foundation for broader financial management that connects directly to understanding your overall financial position, making informed decisions, and transforming agricultural potential into sustainable reality. Ready to take control of your farm's financial future? Start with mastering your cash flow today.

In this episode, John Dazley from CMK Accountants shares why on-farm conversations are at the heart of the Milking It project, and why spreadsheets alone can’t capture the full story. From early mornings to muddy boots, we talk about the value of meeting farmers in their world — not ours.

You’ll hear how visiting Addie and Kip in the first Milking It series shaped our understanding of their goals, and how our upcoming work with Kevin and Nicole in Milking It 2.0 continues that hands-on, personal approach.

This isn’t about textbook theory or one-size-fits-all advice — it’s about showing up, seeing the full picture, and turning real-life insight into meaningful financial planning.

Because when we’ve stood in your shed, seen your land, and listened to your story — the numbers mean more.

Join us as we kick off the next chapter of Milking It and explore what it really means to deliver rural advice that’s practical, personal, and grounded in your reality.

In this episode of Grow Your Numbers, John Dazley from CMK Accountants takes a relaxed yet informative look at what it really means to “know your numbers” as a New Zealand farmer or small business owner.

From cash flow and budgeting to understanding your equity position and break-even point, John shares down-to-earth insights on why financial literacy is the key to running a resilient and profitable agribusiness. He breaks down complex accounting ideas into plain language and offers real-world tips you can use straight away — whether you're at the helm of a multi-generational farm or just starting your business journey.

This episode is packed with practical advice, relatable examples, and a good dose of Kiwi realism.

🎁 PLUS — listen to the end for your chance to receive a free copy of CMK’s book Grow Your Numbers.

👉 If you're ready to take control of your farm or business finances, this is the episode for you.

In this episode, John Dazley from CMK Accountants explores the significant changes to New Zealand’s trust tax rate, which has risen from 33% to 39% effective April 1st, 2024. John breaks down what this increase means for trustees, beneficiaries, and businesses, highlighting the exceptions, potential restructuring strategies, and key red flags identified by the IRD.

Listeners will learn about legitimate approaches to financial restructuring, the importance of maintaining commercial substance, and how the IRD evaluates arrangements. John also discusses alternative strategies such as beneficiary income distribution, investments in Portfolio Investment Entities (PIEs), and the corporate beneficiary rule.

Gain insights into essential documentation requirements, the broader implications of restructuring decisions beyond immediate tax considerations, and how binding rulings from the IRD can provide clarity and security in complex situations. Tune in to ensure you make informed, strategic decisions about your financial future in response to these critical tax changes.

In this episode, John Dazley from CMK Accountants breaks down a powerful financial tool designed specifically for New Zealand’s primary industries—the Income Equalisation Scheme. If you're a farmer, forester, or fisher dealing with fluctuating income year to year, this episode is for you.

John explains how the scheme works, who qualifies, and why it's worth considering in a high-income year. With real-world examples and practical tips, you'll learn how to use the scheme to your advantage, manage your tax obligations, and create financial stability—even when nature doesn’t cooperate.

Tune in for a clear, no-jargon guide to making the most of the Income Equalisation Scheme and hear how it can help smooth out the financial bumps in your farming journey.

👉 Great for: Dairy farmers, horticulturists, beekeepers, vineyard owners, and more.
 📲 Got questions? Reach out to the team at www.cmk.co.nz