Pastoralists from across the Katherine region gathered on 7–8 October for the MLA BusinessEDGE Course, a two-day workshop designed to strengthen business and financial management capability across the northern beef industry.

Delivered by Simone Parker and Harry Evans from Bush AgriBusiness, the workshop provided practical tools and insights to help producers better understand their business performance, manage risk, and plan for profitability. Participants explored real-world examples and applied proven financial frameworks, equipping them with the skills to evaluate their enterprises holistically, beyond just production metrics.

The course covered key topics including:

· Understanding and interpreting financial statements

· Assessing whole-of-business performance

· Managing debt and investment decisions

· Benchmarking and identifying key profit drivers

· Planning for long-term business resilience

Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of stepping away from day-to-day operations to focus on the bigger picture, gaining confidence in their numbers and clarity around what drives profitability.

This BusinessEDGE workshop was made possible through a strong collaboration between the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA) as lead project managers, the Northern Hub, and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, ensuring the course could be offered at a reduced rate ($500 per participant) to support broad industry participation. The course was delivered as part of a broader project based around Preparation and Preparedness for Drought. The project will deliver another subsidized BusinessEdge workshop in early 2026, as well as a two day workshop and field day in Central Australia.

The NT Cattlemen’s Association extends its sincere thanks to Simone Parker and Harry Evans for their expert facilitation and engaging delivery, and to all participating producers for their commitment to strengthening the financial sustainability of the northern beef industry.

Workshops like this play an important role in building resilient businesses and confident leaders, ensuring producers have the financial literacy and strategic insight needed to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic operating environment.