It’s been a tough time for farmers in New Zealand, with challenges coming from multiple directions. Inflation has caused costs to soar, the export market has softened in recent times and drought was declared across large parts of the South Island in 2024.

While the resilience of those working the land is continually tested, a clear view on their financial position is vital in helping farmers to plan ahead, to reforecast and to rise to the challenges.

Farmers are now relying on their accountants more than ever to help navigate the path ahead. A financial management platform designed specifically for the farming sector is a vital resource for helping them to understand their financial position in real time.

Tailored solutions

Farm Focus is an innovative farm management tool designed specifically for New Zealand farmers. It puts farmers in control of their financial goals and gives accountants the valuable data they need to provide trusted advice to their farming clients.

Auriga Martin, CEO of Farm Focus, explains that the platform empowers farmers with valuable financial insights to help them stay resilient and thrive.

“By understanding their financial position in real time, farmers and their advisers can quickly address concerns, identify growth opportunities and model scenarios to see how strategic changes might benefit their business.

Farmers in focus

Farm Focus has farming in its DNA. The company started in 1981, when three farmers from Wairarapa began exploring better ways to make informed decisions about the future of farming businesses. In 2021, it was rebranded from Cash Manager to Farm Focus, which reflects its dedication to farmers.

“Over our 40 years in business, we’ve stood by farmers through challenging times and we’ve seen firsthand how knowing your numbers can make a real difference to financial performance,” says Martin.

“Most of New Zealand’s award-winning and high-performing farms are Farm Focus customers and have been for generations.”

Martin explains that the exclusive focus on farm financial management – not just accounting – is what sets Farm Focus apart. For example, its livestock monitoring feature allows farmers to track and reconcile what’s in the paddock, and its performance reporting feature generates reports and evaluates farming-specific KPIs against benchmarks and the broader market.

“Unlike general accounting software, Farm Focus is purpose built to meet the specific needs of farmers, providing tools that make tracking, planning and projecting farm finances intuitive and relevant to the realities of farming.”

A powerful trio

The relationship between farmer, accountant and Farm Focus drives results and longevity for businesses across the sector.

“Our popular features like the economic farm surplus report show how profitable the business is and what margins are looking like,” says Martin.

“Modelling scenarios and adjusting requires day-to-day login to look at progress and to update based on actuals,” she adds. “This scenario plan and the updates are what help everyone involved in the business to be on the same page about where things have gone and where you are going.”

With constant cash flow monitoring, Farm Focus also helps accountants to pinpoint valuable insights and support strategic planning for farming clients. And, as the platform is web based, it’s easy for farmers, accountants and other trusted partners to access and share data securely from any device, at any time.

“Put plainly, we go beyond just the monthly GST filing,” says Martin. “Our platform offers real-time insights, scenario planning and performance monitoring tailored specifically for farming, so farmers and their advisers have a clear picture of the business at every stage.

“It’s this dedication to the unique challenges of farming that truly sets us apart. We’re not just software; we’re a partner in farm success and in helping farming families and partnerships to thrive.”

Find out more

To get more details on Farm Focus products and features, and how we can help your clients, visit farmfocus.co.nz