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When the Key Person Holds the Keys to Everything: Why Sharing Farm Knowledge Matters

A farmer walks alone along a country track on a foggy morning, symbolising how one person often carries the farm’s knowledge and the importance of sharing plans for the future.

Just about every farming family I’ve talked to has experienced a similar situation in their succession planning journey: one person on the farm holds most of the knowledge in their head.

They know the stock, they know the paddocks, they know the numbers, they’re the go-to person who makes the calls about what happens on the farm, and usually, they’ve got ideas about how it should be passed on one day.

We call this person the key person, because they’re the key to the business.

Why farm succession planning fails when only one person holds the knowledge

The trouble is, when the key person holds all the knowledge and plans without letting anyone else in on them, the whole family and the whole business suffer.

They become dependent, and if the key person steps away, even just for a short while, things can start to unravel quickly.

I’ve seen families caught out by this more times than I can count. It’s stressful for the person carrying the load, and it leaves everyone else in the family unsure of what to do or how to help.

And it’s no one’s fault. Farming is busy. Most of the time you’re just dealing with what’s in front of you, and often it’s quicker for one person to just get it done rather than stop to explain or share the responsibility. But as the years roll on, this leaves the business exposed and the family vulnerable because everything rests on the shoulders of one person.

Succession is never simple

Succession is one of the hardest topics for farming families to face.

It’s emotional because it touches on legacy, identity, and fairness.
 It’s scary because it means talking about ageing, change, and the unknown.
 It’s complicated because people, relationships, and livelihoods are tied up in every decision. Not to mention the structures, trusts, loans, tax, and legal issues that have to be considered.

So often, the plan exists only in one person’s head. Conversations don’t happen, and everyone assumes it will get sorted out later. But “later” never comes.

Then one day, something unexpected happens – an illness, an accident, or even death – and the family is forced into decisions they weren’t ready for.

Because nothing was ever spoken about, no one really knows what was meant to happen.

This is when conflict can take root. Resentment builds. What began with love for the land and pride in the business can end with families divided,  sometimes to the point where they stop talking completely and Christmas becomes another reminder of what’s been lost.

The good news: it doesn’t have to be this way

This all-too-common story doesn’t have to be your story.

We’ve also seen farming families who turned succession into an opportunity to grow closer, strengthen the business, and set the next generation up with clarity and confidence.

So, what do these families do differently?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but I can tell you this: they don’t leave it to chance. They invest in their business, they seek advice from the right professionals, and, most importantly, they invest in themselves.

That might look like:

Where to start

So how do you turn uncertainty into clarity?

The first step is often just a conversation.

If you’re ready, you can book a 15-minute chat with our team, who can help you Identify your farm’s best path forward.

If you’d like to talk it through, get in touch today.

Ready to get your succession plan started?

Book a free 15-minute call with our team today.
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A farmer walks alone along a country track on a foggy morning, symbolising how one person often carries the farm’s knowledge and the importance of sharing plans for the future.

Farm Succession Planning: When the Key Person Holds All the Keys

September 19, 2025 No Comments

On many farms, one person carries the weight of the knowledge – the paddocks, the stock, the numbers, the future plans. But when everything rests on one set of shoulders, the farm and the family are left vulnerable. Sharing that knowledge and starting conversations can ease the pressure, strengthen relationships, and set the next generation up with clarity and confidence.

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