Thinking of leaving the farm you’ve been working on to start your own? Exciting times. Running your own farm is challenging, rewarding, and requires planning from day one. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.
Get Your Systems Right
First up: organise your farm management and finances. The easiest way to do that is with trusted software. Farm Focus is the go-to system for Kiwi farmers—simple, powerful, and widely trusted to manage stock, finances, and day-to-day farm operations. Starting your farm with Farm Focus saves headaches later.
Know Your Grants and Entitlements
New farmers may be eligible for government grants to get started—fencing, water systems, and other essentials. Sorting this early gives your farm a solid financial foundation.
Join Federated Farmers
Stay connected to the farming community. Federated Farmers is the best way to keep up to date with industry news, advocacy, and local issues. Every province has its own branch, and they also run Facebook and social media community pages where farmers share advice, updates, and opportunities. Joining is highly recommended—it keeps you informed and connected.
Claim Back Petrol Excise Duty
Every farm runs on petrol—farm bikes, quads, side-by-sides, generators, pumps, weed eaters, water blasters, and other machinery. Did you know you can claim back fuel excise duty (road tax) on all your off-road machines? PR Claims Limited is the cheapest company in New Zealand for helping farmers do this.
- Two-year back claims: If you’ve been working on another farm, you can reclaim excise duty on petrol you’ve already paid.
- Zero admin for you: We handle all the paperwork and liaise directly with the authorities.
- Trusted by the industry: We’re endorsed by Farm Focus, Federated Farmers, AgriSmart, and other agricultural businesses.
Whether you’re running cattle, sheep, beef, or mixed farming, PR Claims Limited helps you keep more of your own money.
Keep Track of Your Petrol
Small but crucial: keep a record of all fuel purchases. If you’re filling up at the pump in jerry cans, consider using a fuel card. For bulk purchases, keep invoices organised. The easier it is to track, the faster your claims come through.
Final Thoughts
Starting your own farm is an adventure. The smartest farmers set themselves up for success from day one:
- Use Farm Focus to manage your operations
- Explore grants to help start strong
- Join Federated Farmers to stay connected and informed
- Work with PR Claims Limited to reclaim excise duty on all your off-road petrol
It’s simple, efficient, and puts money back where it belongs—in your farm, in your business, in your pocket.
Get started today and take the first step toward a thriving farm business.
