Rob Sands joined FARMANCO
Management Consultants in 1991 and operates from the Mundaring
Office. He consults to his own clients throughout the Central
Wheatbelt. Rob has clients in the York, Quairading, Kelleberrin,
Tammin, Cunderdin, Meckering, Goomalling, Bolgart, Moora,
Dandaragan and Coorow Shires. Rob has a corporate role of
developing and maintaining various Business Analysis, and Marketing
Software. Rob has expertise in developing Spreadsheet and Database
Applications for Clients. Rob has specialist knowledge in business
analysis, commodity marketing, and farming systems including grain
and livestock enterprises.
Qualifications & Professional Affiliations
Bachelor of Business (Rural Management) with First Class
Honours.
College Medal - Dux
(1985) - Queensland Agricultural College, Gatton, Queensland.
AAAC Corporate Member of the Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants (W.A.) Inc.
Board & Industry Groups
Chairman of Rural Business Development Corporation
Skills, Expertise & Interests
Consulting (Farm Management - Financial)
- Compile annual reviews analysing a business's financial and
physical performance
using profit analysis and reporting enterprise margins, profit, equity, liquidity, ratios / indicators and long term viability. - Prepare Feasibility Studies for property purchase, machinery purchase, business restructuring, farm leasing and sharefarming proposals.
- Benchmark business performance.
- Prepare annual and ten year cash flow budgets.
- Analyse enterprise and rotational margins.
- Develop finance plans for seasonal funding, debt reconstruction, property purchase, machinery purchase, business restructuring.
- Develop contract content for short term and long term lease and sharefarmer agreements.
- Working knowledge of the income tax system and its implications for the farming business.
Consulting (Farm Management - Technical)
- All aspects of crop agronomy (cereals, canola, lupins, field peas, faba beans and chickpeas) and pasture agronomy (legume based) as it relates to Western Australia.
- An extensive knowledge of Mediterranean farming systems, and general knowledge of Sub Tropical farming systems.
- Crop Protection - including herbicide, insecticide and fungicide systems for crops and pastures. Specialist knowledge in the management of herbicide resistance.
- Nutrition strategies for crops and pastures.
- Sheep and Wool production systems including husbandry and genetics.
- General Knowledge of Irrigation Systems
Consulting (Farm Management - Marketing)
- Provide general information (not legally allowed to give specific recommendations) for price risk management using futures and options for currency and commodities, OTC products and forward cash contracts.
- Develop commodity marketing plans based on prices an individual business needs to manage their risks and meet profit targets.
- Assess marketing options for major agricultural commodities. Able to compare commodity quotes on a common basis.
Consulting (Farm Management - Strategic Planning)
- Develop farm business plans.
- Assist clients with estate and succession planning.
- Construct enterprise rotation plans after analysing the contribution of different enterprises to whole farm profitability and sustainability and considering integrated management of herbicide resistance.
Training
- Have been involved in the development, direction, and presentation of a number of courses which covered Farm Business Planning, Succession Planning, Benchmarking Farm Businesses, Farm Management Training for Farmers, Farm Business Appraisal for Agribusiness Bankers, Farm Management for Consultants, and Commodity Marketing Plans.
Computers & Software
- Conversant with the operation of personal computers and associated hardware.
- Knowledge of various software including spreadsheets, databases, word processors, specific agricultural applications and internet software.
- Help clients with cashbook coding, data entry and budgeting.
- Develop computerised decision aids and various spreadsheet calculators.
General
- An ability to understand complex systems, and look at the big picture.
- Inquiring mind with good general knowledge.
- Extensive practical experience of machinery operation, livestock husbandry, irrigation scheduling, crop monitoring and property development.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
Interests
- Family, Travel, Camping, Bushwalking, Golf, Woodwork, Reading.
Previous Employment & Experience
1988-1991 Extension Officer - Queensland Department of
Primary Industries
Employed as an Extension Officer with the Queensland Department of
Primary Industries, based in Emerald Central Queensland.
Responsible for the provision of agricultural advice to farmers in
the Emerald Irrigation Area and farmers and graziers in The Central
Highlands.
1987 Casual Work - Pacific Seeds
While travelling around Australia was employed by Pacific Seeds for
six months at Griffith NSW and Kununurra WA to assist with the QA
of Hybrid Seed Production. The job included supervising teams of
people roguing off types together with crop protection and general
farm management duties.
1986 Full Time Tutor at Queensland Agricultural
College
Tutored in Farm Economics, Farm Management, and Statistical
Analysis.
1982-1985 Full Time Student - Queensland Agricultural
College
Completed degree in Rural Management, which is a course which has a
blend of farm management and technical subjects.
1981 Worked in Family Business
The family business included property development, a beef cattle
enterprise, and tourism venture.
1973-1980 Student and worked on Family
Farm
Worked on family's irrigation farm and also ran a small beef
enterprise in partnership with brother.
