Rabobank has opened applications for farmers in Australia and New Zealand to join their Executive Development and Farm Managers Programs
Applications for the 2026 intake of Rabobank’s Business Management Programs – the Executive Development Program and the Farm Managers Program – are now open.
Designed for progressive farmers at a range of career stages, the two programs being offered are the Executive Development Program (EDP) for farm business owners or senior managers and the Farm Managers Program (FMP) for up-and-coming farmer leaders.
These programs have been developed with a specific application to farm businesses and aim to provide participants with the latest insights in business management.
Announcing the opening of applications for the 2026 programs, Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia, Marcel van Doremaele expressed how more than 1500 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman had participated in the Business Management Programs over the past 27 years.
“The programs are extremely beneficial for primary producers as they allow them the opportunity to step away from the daily demands of their operations and focus on creating strategies that will keep their businesses strong and adaptable in the future,” Marcel van Doremaele added.
“Both programs also give participants the chance to connect with other primary producers from various sectors in both countries. Often, the relationships formed during the programs last well beyond the course itself. Many past participants say that these lasting connections are one of the highlights of the program, and we support this by holding occasional alumni events for our Business Management Programs throughout Australia and New Zealand.”
How the course added valuable strategic plans
EDP alumni and winner of the 2025 Dr John Morris Business Development Prize – a trans-Tasman business prize awarded annually as part of the program – Caroline McGrath considers the course was pivotal in developing her career and taking her corporate governance and strategic business planning skills to the next level.
Caroline McGrath, who is a general manager with Excel Farms, an agriculture company with a diverse range of properties located across Australia, said she applied what she learnt on the course to refreshing the company’s strategic plans.
“I was able to identify the need to bring in an outside facilitator to help the leadership team redo the company’s purpose and strategy and then I was able to roll out individual farm strategic plans and initiatives across the business – which enabled company strategic alignment – with all team members striving to reach the same business goals,” Caroline McGrath added.
With numbers on each course limited to maintain group dynamics, positions on the programs are set to be highly contested, with farmers selected to attend from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.
Further information and application forms can be found at Rabobank here.
Rabobank’s Business Management Programs now open
