.png)
What does a successful farm business really look like after decades of changing seasons, markets, and technology?
For Robert Sewell, it’s not about chasing every new idea. It’s about having solid systems in place, understanding the numbers behind the operation, and making decisions with confidence, year after year.
On the broad grain country of Wongan Hills in Western Australia, Robert has spent a lifetime doing just that. His family first farmed this land in the late 1920s. Robert was born here in 1946, grew up here, and built his business here, learning early that while crops grow in paddocks, strong farm businesses are built in the details.
“I think what there is to love about farming is that you start off with a little seed of grain in the soil, you watch it germinate, and you watch it grow… and you’ve actually achieved something.”
That sense of achievement has kept Robert farming for decades. But behind every good season was something less visible, and just as important: learning how to run the farm as a business.
From paddocks to responsibility
Robert’s operation began with traditional wheat and barley cropping, expanding over time as new varieties and opportunities emerged. Canola and lupins became part of the rotation, and the business continued to evolve.
In 1979, everything changed.
Robert and his brother split their farming operations, leaving Robert running the property on his own for the first time. Along with independence came responsibility, not just for growing crops, but for wages, bookkeeping, finance, and planning.
“I had to find a way to understand how to do the bookkeeping, how to pay wages and how to run the business.”
Like many farmers, Robert knew the land inside out. But the paperwork, financing, and record-keeping were unfamiliar territory. He knew guessing wasn’t good enough, so he asked for help.
Finding the right system
Robert turned to a consultant for advice on how to manage the business side of farming more effectively.
“I visited a consultant and asked him about what I should do and he suggested I use Agrimaster.”
That recommendation would shape how Robert ran his farm for the next four decades.
From the beginning, Agrimaster provided something Robert didn’t have before: structure.
Bookkeeping stopped being something to put off and became a regular habit. Records were clear, accurate, and reliable. For the first time, Robert could see his business in black and white, and trust what he was looking at.
“It has been a fantastic asset and it helped particularly in those early days when I didn’t have really any experience in financing and documentation.”
Turning numbers into confidence
Over time, the real value of Agrimaster became clear. It wasn’t just about compliance, it was about confidence.
With accurate records at his fingertips, Robert could plan ahead, build budgets, and make decisions based on facts instead of memory or gut feel. Conversations with his accountant and bank became straightforward and productive.
“With Agrimaster we get enough information out of what’s happened in the past, what’s probably required in the future and it’s all there in black and white.”
That clarity also gave Robert an edge when working with consultants.
“When I’ve got my consultant, he’s got all the information there of what I’ve been doing and how it’s going so it gives me a step ahead of the people who want some information.”
Instead of scrambling for answers, Robert walked into meetings prepared, knowing exactly how the business was tracking.
Support that understands farming
Beyond the software, Robert values knowing support is there when he needs it. Farming doesn’t always go to plan, and when questions come up, being able to speak to someone who understands the realities of farm businesses matters.
“They’re in the same time zone and that helps a lot.”
It’s practical support, available during the working day, when it counts.
Building something for the next generation
As Robert looks ahead, his focus is on continuity. With decades of records and systems already in place, the future of the farm feels organised and achievable.
“My son-in-law I think will be able to take over from the operation that I use. I think that’s the way it’ll just go to the next generation.”
The systems Robert put in place haven’t just supported his farming life, they’ve helped prepare the business for whoever comes next.
A system Robert stands behind
After more than 40 years of use, Robert is clear about the impact Agrimaster has had on his farm business.
“The impact that Agrimaster’s had on my whole learning in bookkeeping and finance has been such that I would recommend anybody that doesn’t use Agrimaster, they could switch to it now.”
For Robert Sewell, Agrimaster hasn’t just been software. It’s been a steady, reliable partner alongside a lifetime on the land, helping turn hard work into a farm business built to last.
