From stress to strategy: how the McInerneys built a resilient farm business

In the first episode of this special AgRi-silience series, we visit Mark and Rachel McInerney at Riverton, South Australia, to hear how they navigate adversity by redefining their roles on the farm and turning 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 professional growth and personal joy

Links and resources

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

About AgRi-silience
Today's episode is part of our partnership with Livestock SA's AgRi-Silience program, designed to improve strategic planning and long-term resilience for forward-looking South Australian livestock and broadacre enterprises.
Participants of the program get one-on-one coaching, tailored advice from a consultant and get the chance to meet a network of other farmers enabling long term strategic planning to sustain your business into the future.

Funded by the Australian Government and the Government of South Australia as part of the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program, AgRi-Silience has already helped over 1000 South Australian farmers build financial literacy, confidence in decision-making, and essential resilience skills.

You can secure your place and take the next step towards a more resilient future by visiting the AgRi-Silience page on the Livestock SA website www.livestocksa.com.au.

Cut out dinner
It's a challenging time for many. The AgRi-Silience Cut Out dinner is a great opportunity to pause, reset and come together to gain collective strength from shared stories and ideas. Book your seat at the AgRi-silience Cut Out Dinner at Sunnybrae Estate in Adelaide on June 20th.  Tickets are just $65 for alumni and $80 for industry participants.

 
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EvokeAG 2026:
I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com