When cash flow feels like a constant challenge

Running a farm or rural business is about more than just making a living. It’s about building something lasting for your family, your land and your community. Every season in South Australia brings its own set of challenges, from unpredictable weather to shifting markets, and it can feel like you’re always one step away from a cash flow crunch. If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at night, wondering how you’ll cover the next round of bills or waiting for payments to come through, you’re not alone. Effective cash flow management for farmers is essential in maintaining stability and planning for the future.

If you missed our first blog, In Debt and Creditors Calling? How SA Farmers and Agribusiness Can Take Control, we recommend reading it first for practical advice on early action and reaching out for support. Once you’ve taken that important step, seeking help and making a plan, the next focus is looking after your cash flow, not just in tough times but as part of your regular business routine.

“We want to help you survive for as long as you want to survive - potentially for another five generations.”

Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan, SA Small Business Commissioner

Turning stress into strategy: practical cash flow support

Cash flow is often the number one stress for farmers and regional businesses. Money can be tied up in assets, crops or livestock, and unexpected events can quickly throw plans off course. That’s why it’s important to keep a close eye on the basics and know where to turn for support, as there are a range of agribusiness cash flow solutions available to help South Australian farmers and rural businesses navigate these challenges.

For tailored help, the Rural Financial Counselling and Small Business Financial Counselling services delivered by Rural Business Support (RBS), supports farmers and rural, regional and remote small family businesses. Their free, confidential service begins with a conversation to identify stressors, map cash-flow pressures and document a statement of position. They clarify goals, model options and trade-offs, and co-design a practical, staged plan. That can include tightening invoicing and debtor follow-up, trimming costs, modelling options against market conditions and preparing for lender conversations. If legal, tax, mental health or dispute support is needed, they’ll direct you to the professionals who can help.

RBS qualified financial counsellors can provide cash-flow templates, model scenarios and assist you to prioritise which bills to pay. They can help guide creditor conversations and plan bank discussions to protect assets and stabilise cash flow, with check-ins to review progress and make adjustments if needed. To speed things up, RBS recommend bringing recent bank statements and any lender correspondence or ATO letters to the first chat. When it comes to overdue invoices or contract issues, the Small Business Commission SA (SBC) can work in parallel while the team at RBS steadies the way forward.

When unpaid invoices or disputes disrupt your cash flow

Even when you’re doing everything right - chasing up payments, keeping good records and working hard - unpaid invoices or farming disputes can throw your cash flow off balance. For farmers and agribusinesses, a single late payment can have a knock-on effect, making it harder to pay suppliers, staff or cover everyday running costs.

If you’ve done all the right things and still can’t get paid, or if a disagreement with another business is holding you back, it’s time to reach out for help. Our advisors at SBC offer practical support for issues like late or non-payment for goods and services, disputes over the quality or non-delivery of goods, and problems with equipment or leasing arrangements. From the moment you call, our team will work with you to resolve the issue, so you can get back to focusing on your farm or business and protect the relationships that matter in your community.

If a dispute can’t be sorted out through advice and negotiation, we can arrange low-cost, subsidised mediation to help you reach a fair outcome. This saves you time, stress and unnecessary costs. Our goal is to help you move forward with confidence, knowing you have support behind you.

Support that’s always there, no matter what changes

Cash flow challenges don’t just happen once. They can come and go, depending on the season, unexpected costs or extreme environmental impacts. That’s why it’s important to keep reviewing your finances and know where to turn when things change.

Rural Business Support and the Small Business Commission work together to support South Australian farmers and agribusinesses, each offering different types of help. Whether you’re managing your finances or facing a dispute, both services are here to support you, no matter how many times you reach out. Having someone in your corner makes all the difference.

If you’re dealing with unpaid invoices or facing a dispute with another business, SBC can help. For practical support and guidance, check out our online resources or free call 1800 072 722.

For confidential advice on managing your cash flow or financial challenges, contact Rural Business Support on 1800 836 211 or visit Rural Business Support.