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Where Great Advice Begins

9/06/2025

In the real world of dairy farming, no two days—or two farms—are ever the same. That’s why when it comes to getting the right financial advice, one-size-fits-all solutions just don’t cut it. At CMK Accountants, we know that the best way to truly understand a farming business is to step out of the office and into the gumboots.

Advice Starts With a Farm Walk, Not a Spreadsheet

Milking It 2.0 builds on the success of the original Milking It series, where we walked alongside Addie and Kip, not just as accountants, but as part of their extended farm team. Those face-to-face, on-farm meetings helped uncover opportunities, identify pain points, and create financial plans that worked with the rhythm of the land—not just the financial year.

Now, in Milking It 2.0, we’re excited to continue the journey with a new farming family, Kevin and Nicole, who—like many New Zealand farmers—are navigating an evolving landscape of farm working costs, environmental pressures, employment and legal considerations, and strategic growth within their business.

What We've Learned So Far

If there’s one thing that’s become crystal clear from our time spent on the Milking It project, you can’t separate good financial advice from the farm that it’s meant for.

Here’s why we believe visiting our clients on-farm makes such a difference:

We see what you see: From the condition of your tracks, to the milking system you use, we can tailor our advice directly to your infrastructure and herd.

We speak your language: Whether it’s a conversation in the cowshed or around the kitchen table, it’s honest, practical, and grounded in your reality.

We plan with context: Our reports don’t just reflect the numbers—they reflect your goals, risks, and opportunities, because we’ve walked them with you.

What's Coming Up in Milking It 2.0

Over the next 12 months, we’ll dive into some of the real conversations and insights coming out of our time spent with Kevin and Nicole. From reviewing their cash flow and debt management strategies, to exploring growth options and starting the planning process—we’ll take you behind the scenes of what modern rural accounting really looks like.

You'll see how we:

Turn data into decisions that matter on-farm

Tailor strategies that reflect your family’s future

Use tools like Figured for budgeting, forecasting, and rural benchmarking to stay ahead in a changing market

Let's Get Practical, Let's Get Personal

At CMK, we don’t just offer rural accounting services—we show up when it matters. Rain or shine, we’re committed to giving advice that fits your life, your land, and your long-term goals.

Stay tuned for Part Two of Milking It 2.0, where we’ll dig deeper into Kevin and Nicole’s story and how we're helping shape their financial future.

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