Alison Larard

Nuffield Australia 2018 Scholar

Alison Larard from Evelyn near Atherton in Queensland, received a 2018 Nuffield Scholarship supported by Westpac Agribusiness Through her research, Alison researched ways to strengthen business and strategic planning capabilities of family-owned northern beef enterprises.

Alison believes improving management skills within family businesses can assist in objective and professional decision making and business performance. Her research focused on how this may also empower families to question if the traditional ‘succession at all costs’ intergenerational ownership transition approach is sustainable or suitable to northern enterprises.

Alison helps operate her family’s Limousin seed stock operation, spanning three properties on the Atherton Tablelands. Here, she applies the management skills she has gained both off-farm and through formal education, including a Masters of Business Administration, to strategic planning and performance analysis within the cattle business.

“Inadequate financial literacy and limited succession planning are particularly concerning in the North Queensland beef industry, with the remote, insular nature of the region and poor profitability further constraining these businesses,” Alison said.

“Overcoming these barriers will enhance producer capability and enterprise viability.”

For her study, Alison travelled to North America, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa.