David McCarthy joined FARMANCO
Management Consultants in January 2004 and is based in Narrogin
with Laurence Carslake. David has experience in the management
of large scale farming enterprises and has a sound knowledge of
various farming systems including mixed cropping, sheep and beef
cattle production. David enjoys interacting with clients and
helping them overcome the challenges that farming in Western
Australia presents.
Qualifications & Professional Affiliations
Bachelor of Agribusiness - Farm Management. (February 2002). Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia (Muresk Institute of Agriculture). Independent Member - Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants (WA Inc)
Skills, Expertise & Interests
Consulting (Farm Management - Financial)
- Compile annual reviews analysing a business's financial and physical performance using profit analysis and reporting enterprise margins, profit, equity, liquidity, ratios / indicators and long term viability.
- Benchmark business performance.
- Prepare and review cash flow budgets.
- Analyse enterprise and rotational margins.
- Develop finance plans for seasonal funding, debt reconstruction, property purchase, machinery purchase, business restructuring.
- Analyse property leasing and share farming proposals. Develop contract content for short term and long term agreements.
- Working knowledge of the income tax system and its implications for the farming business.
- Knowledge of off farm financial investment products.
Consulting (Farm Management - Technical)
- All aspects of crop agronomy (cereals, canola, lupins, field peas, faba beans and chickpeas) and pasture agronomy (legume based) as it relates to Western Australia
- A sound knowledge of crop protection including pesticide selection, spray adjuvants, pesticide application, sprayer technology, and management of herbicide resistance.
- Nutrition strategies for crops and pastures.
- Sheep and Wool production systems including husbandry and genetics.
- Beef cattle production including breeding and management programs.
Consulting (Farm Management - Marketing)
- Provide general analysis of options for price risk management.
- Develop commodity marketing plans based on prices an individual business needs to manage their risks and meet profit targets.
- Assess marketing options for major agricultural commodities. Able to compare commodity quotes on a common basis.
Consulting (Farm Management - Strategic Planning)
- Construct enterprise rotation plans after analysing the contribution of different enterprises to whole farm profitability and sustainability and considering integrated management of herbicide resistance.
- Advice with regards labour management.
Computers & Software
- Conversant with the operation of personal computers and associated hardware.
- Knowledge of various software including spreadsheets, word processors, specific agricultural applications and internet software.
- Help clients with cashbook coding, data entry and budgeting.
- Develop computerised decision aids and various spreadsheet calculators.
Interests
- Family, sports (hockey and football), fishing, scuba diving and camping.
Previous Employment & Experience
2002 - 2004 WR Carpenter Agriculture
Employed as the West Midlands Manager controlling two properties in
the mid-west of WA at Dandaragan and Badgingarra. These were cattle
properties that ran in excess of 10,000 head and covered 20,000
hectares. Both properties ran breeding herds totalling 4000 head
and a fattening herd of up to 6000 head during the growing season.
In addition to this, a feedlot of 800 head capacity had been
operating at Joanna Plains since April 2002.
1996 - 2000 Self Employed Farmer and Agricultural
Contractor
Jointly ran the family farm at Williams with my parents and
developed a contracting business that included spraying, swathing,
harvesting and stubble raking. Farming program included mixed
cropping with canola, lupins, wheat, barley and export hay along
with prime lamb and wool production from merino ewes.
