Change, Training and Farm Profitability. A National Farmers Federation Discussion Paper.

A project collected empirical data on the effectiveness of training in agriculture in Australia. Emphasis was on types of training and delivery modes most effective in enabling profitable changes to farm management or agricultural practice and on other catalysts that result in farmers making changes to increase profitability. Data were obtained from additional questions included in the Australian Bureau of Statistics/1993-94 Agricultural Financial Survey and an interview survey of 65 Tasmanian farmers. Findings indicated the following: specific adult agricultural education was related to higher profit; formal education improved profitability or productivity; and recent participation in training was clearly associated with higher profit. Farm businesses that trained and made changes to practice were more profitable than other farm businesses. Farm businesses that made changes to practice were more likely to participate in training. Small businesses were less likely to make changes in farming practices. Over a 3-year period, 38 percent of farm businesses made no changes to their practice. Larger and more profitable farms were more likely to participate in training events. Inability to get away, distance, or busy time of the year were barriers to training. Intimates, peers, and experts were sources of support. Most farm businesses that intended to train planned training in agricultural practices, although training needs identified by key stakeholders were in the areas of management, marketing, and communication skills. (Contains 43 references.) (YLB)