In the first episode of this special AgRi-silience series, we visit Mark and Rachel McInerney at Riverton, South Australia, to hear how they've navigated adversity, redefined their roles on the farm, and turned professional development into a catalyst for business renewal.

In this chat you'll hear:

• How an HR masterclass became the starting point for major business change
• The impact of back-to-back climate challenges and how they planned through uncertainty
• How weekly planning, clear roles, and external coaching transformed their partnership
• The story behind launching their direct-to-consumer beef business
• How involving their children is shaping a future-ready sixth generation

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience isn’t just surviving tough years, it’s planning for the next ten
• Ground rules and family meetings can turn tension into teamwork
• Professional development is for every age, every stage
• Balancing passion with profitability is possible, even during drought

Chapters:
00:00 The McInerney family journey so far

05:57 Adapting business models and financial strategies

09:00 The shift in roles and responsibilities

11:59 Seeking external help and professional development

21:06 Mental load and work-life balance

28:32 Transforming communication in a family business dynamic

44:04 Balancing growth and personal joy

For the diary!
Book your seat at the AgRi-silience Cut Out Dinner. It's a tough year for a lot of producers so this is a great opportunity to come together, reset, and gain strength from shared stories and collective resilience.

Links and resources:

• Check out the McInerneys’ beef business at Garyowen Herefords
• More episodes of Humans of Agriculture

This episode is made possible by LivestockSA’s AgRi-silience program, designed to help South Australian producers strengthen their business, financial, and people management skills. Learn more at www.livestocksa.org.au.
AgRi-Silience is part of the Farm Business Resilience Program, delivered by Livestock SA and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.

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