Succession Planning for Farming Operations

Problem & Solution

Merger Trading Ltd is a family-owned dairy farming business, located east of Otorohanga. The passionate team have been dairy farmers for all of their lives, running Merger Trading Ltd for a dedicated 30 years.

From the get-go, Merger Trading's owners Gordon and Anne chose Osbornes CA for their farm accounting needs, originally using us for just compliance services. However, in these early days it quickly became apparent to Gordon and Anne just how closely Osbornes CA would be working with Merger Trading.

This proof of commitment encouraged them to explore our other services including business planning, strategy, and eventually, succession planning. After three decades of running and managing their dairy farm, Gordon and Anne decided it was time to spend less time working, and more time enjoying life. This was a necessity, and they were unsure of how it could be possible.

Gordon and Anne turned to Osbornes CA for succession planning. Our accounting expertise and farm industry knowledge meant that they could consider options that hadn’t even been thought of. Merger bounced a bunch of ideas back and forward with us before deciding on the right path. 

Together we found the perfect solution, which meant selling off 60 hectares of the dairy farm and hiring a contract milker. 

When the succession plan was put into action in 2016, the number of cows that under Merger Tradings management was reduced from 540 to 380. The extra help from the contract milker established a more reliable source of income for Merger Trading, and most importantly created more free time for the team to take a step back from their careers and enjoy their lives.

Merger Trading's Experience

Owners Gordon and Anne found that the team at Osbornes CA are very personable, and always go above and beyond expectations.

“Osbornes CA took the time to get to know us and our business and then offered advice tailor made to our aspirations, which added to our business decisions.”