Ken
Sevenson joined Farmanco Management Consultants in June 1978 and
became the Principal Consultant in April 1979 at Dowerin.
Ken now consults from the York office to farm businesses over a wide area of Western Australia on all aspects of farm business management. He is also a technical expert on cereals (mainly wheat), lupin, pulse and oilseed production, sub clover and medic pastures, and Merino sheep and Prime Lamb production.
Ken is actively involved in planning suitable business structures for client families and setting guidelines for intergenerational change within the family business. He is a recognised expert in counselling farming families with difficult intergenerational challenges.
He develops and presents training programmes in Farm Management, Business Planning and Agricultural Business to the finance, banking and agricultural consulting industries.
Ken develops corporate board models and structures for large family business.
He is also an active business consultant to viticultural and winery businesses.
Qualifications & Professional Affiliations
Diploma of Agricultural Science (Dip Ag Sci). (1970) - Longerenong Agricultural College Horsham, Victoria, Australia.
Executive Certificate in Agribusiness (Cert Ag Bus). (June 1999) - Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Diploma for Company Directors (FAICD). (October 2000) - Australian Institute of Company Directors
AAAC - Corporate Member of Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants W.A. (Inc.)
FAICD - Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Skills, Expertise & Interests
Consulting (Farm Management - Financial)
- Reviews the physical and financial performance of a business
from both historical and cashflow data, providing analysis on
individual enterprises, and the whole farm business.
This analysis includes:- Enterprise analysis
- Profit analysis
- Key business ratios and indicators
- Budgeting (including steady state and long term budgets)
- All the data is then compiled in report format for presentation to lending institutions and for the farm's historical records
- Finance plans can be developed for:
- Seasonal funding
- Debt restructure
- Property and machinery purchase
- Off farm investment
- Lease or share farm proposals
- Business restructuring.
- Develops financial plans for Farm Succession and payments to parents and siblings no longer involved with the farm.
- Has good knowledge of off farm financial investments.
- Can prepare cashflow budgets with associated worksheets for cropping, sheep, wool, pigs & cattle.
- Benchmarks business performance
- Prepares and analyses enterprise and rotational margins
- Prepares lease and share farm documents
- Has a working knowledge of taxation systems and implications for the farming business.
Consulting (Farm Management - Technical)
- All aspects of crop agronomy [Cereals (Wheat/Barley/Oats), Oilseeds (Canola), and Pulses (Lupins/Field Peas)] and pasture agronomy (legume based) as it relates to Western Australia.
- An extensive knowledge of crop protection including:
- Pesticide selection
- Spray adjuvants
- Pesticide application
- Sprayer technology
- Management of herbicide resistance.
- Nutrition strategies for crops and pastures.
- Sheep and wool production systems including husbandry and genetics.
Consulting (Farm Management - Marketing)
- Provides general information for price risk management using futures and options for currency and commodities, OTC products and forward cash contracts. Clients are referred to qualified specialists for specific recommendations.
- Develops commodity marketing plans based on prices an individual business needs to manage their risks and meet profit targets.
- Assesses marketing options for major agricultural commodities. Able to compare commodity quotes on a common basis.
Consulting (Farm Management - Strategic Planning)
- Develops farm business plans.
- Has an intimate knowledge of the grains industry, providing strategic advice on rotational plans and herbicide resistance strategies.
Consulting (Farm Management - Succession Planning)
- Arranges Estate and Succession Planning
- Has specialist skills in working with farm families with communication breakdown.
- Is an effective facilitator working with groups to achieve outcomes.
Consulting (Farm Management)
- Is experienced in physical management of property, personnel and resources.
Computers & Software
- Has an operational knowledge of computers and associated hardware and some software. Ken's support staff can provide assistance with software, cashbook coding, data entry, spreadsheets etc.
Interests
- Wine buff, reading, operates a Coopworth Sheep Stud, walking, social tennis, occasional golf, fishing and vegetable gardening.
Industry Roles - Current and Historical
2001 Kondinin Group Chairman since October 2001, Director since January 2000.
2000 Frankland Estate Wines Chairman since January 2000.
2000 to 2001 SCIGMO Chairman of the Stewardship Committee on the Introduction of GMO Technology into WA Agriculture.
1999 Muresk Institute of Agriculture Curtin University Chairman of the Board of Management October 1999, Member 1997.
1999 Council of Curtin University Member October 1999 to October 2002.
1998 to 2000 Deputy Chairman of the Pulses and Oilseed Partnership Group, AgWest
1997 to 1999 Member of the TopCrop Australia Management Team TopCrop Australia is an umbrella group co-ordinating the concepts of crop monitoring and agronomy standards for the Australian grain industry.
1995 to 1997 Chairman of the Management Group for TopCrop West. TopCrop West is an industry support crop monitoring programme aimed at farmers improving production and agronomy standards.
1993 to 1999 Chairman of the Bachelor of Agribusiness Advisory Committee for Curtin University
1990 and 1991 President Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants WA (Inc.)
1997 to 1992 Member Avon Districts Agricultural Centre Research and Extension Advisory Committee.
1984 to 1992 Member Wongan Hills Research Station Advisory Committee.
