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09/09/2026
Emily and Tom Luff with daughters, Madelyn, Claire and Charlotte.
Having enjoyed the personal and professional development opportunities of corporate careers, Tom and Emily Luff candidly admit that while farming full-time affords plenty of learning through experience, they found themselves wanting more structured, knowledge-based development.
Despite realising a long-held farming dream on their northern NSW cropping operation in the Edgeroi district, neither anticipated that the loss of regular development opportunities would be felt so greatly.
And having recently participated in Rabobank’s Executive Development Program (EDP), the couple came away with fresh ideas, practical insights and renewed enthusiasm for their business.
Part of RaboElevate’s suite of opportunities to build skills, network and insights, the EDP caters to experienced business owners and senior managers, helping strengthen strategic planning and commercial management skills.
An avid podcast listener, Tom said it was a GRDC podcast that piqued his interest in the EDP.
“The episode focussed on a local farmer talking about the fact that you can tinker with spray and chemical accreditations and the like, but what do you do for professional development once you get to a scalable sized family farm?”
“Rabobank’s EDP was recommended in the podcast – so we made a last-minute call to our manager Felicity Taylor out of the Moree branch and made sure our name was on that list.”
Having both previous worked in the cotton industry, Emily, an accountant, and Tom, with an agronomy background and years of corporate experience, each regularly engaged in professional development opportunities during their former careers.
“Em and I value professional development, and suddenly you’re out farming on your own, growing a business, and there’s an overwhelming feeling of ‘what now’, ‘what’s next’?” Tom says.
“I truly believe Rabobank is one of the only organisations delivering in this space, if not the only one specifically for agriculture.”
With four daughters, The Luff household is a busy one, yet Tom and Emily agree that finding the time for personal and professional development is worthwhile.
“I couldn’t recommend the EDP enough, for anyone in ag – I just wish I’d done the Farm Managers Program prior to the EDP when I was younger,” Tom smiles.
Stronger together
Tom and Emily participated in the 2025/26 EDP together, and believe the major benefit was harnessing their shared enthusiasm going forward.
“We don’t have a situation where one of us is forging ahead with ideas, and the other is trying to grasp why you’ve got this newfound motivation,” Tom explains.
Emily and Tom Luff on their Edgeroi property
And Emily agrees that the continual conversations post EDP have been more productive thanks to attending together.
“By doing the EDP together, we’re not having to justify any ideas or discussion, and while we may not agree on everything, we are both working together to reach the same goals,” Emily says.
The structure of the cohort, curated from a broad range of commodities, backgrounds, and geographic locations, also helped facilitate open and candid discussions, Tom says.
“The EDP gave a safe place to openly communicate with other like-minded participants – their experiences and knowledge sharing were incredibly valuable,” Emily adds.
“Everyone walked into the room feeling a little intimidated, but ultimately, we were all there for the same reason – to invest in ourselves, our growth, and our businesses.”
Tom and Emily are grateful for the network the EDP has created – a community of people who understand the realities of their business, while bringing fresh ideas and different perspectives.
And while the program offered plenty of valuable insights, some of the most meaningful learnings happened informally, through conversations, shared experiences and the friendships that formed along the way.
Building processes for a future-fit farm
One of the most valuable outcomes of the EDP for Tom and Emily has been exposure to the systems and processes other farming businesses are using to operate more efficiently.
“It was fascinating talking to some of the farm managers running big corporate farms,” Tom reflects.
“We do inductions and put a lot of thought into training our core staff, so we felt like we were doing a good job, and then you start hearing how other businesses are managing their teams and their day-to-day operations, and you realise there are plenty of ideas we could adopt here too.”
Tom with their Rabobank manager, Felicity Taylor out of the Moree branch.
For the Luffs, the program provided an opportunity to look beyond their own farm and consider how more structured systems could support the next stage of their business.
“As we grow, we need to keep improving the way we do things – borrowing some of those more corporate-style systems while still remaining a family farm.”
Rather than providing a single blueprint, the EDP gave Tom and Emily a bank of practical ideas they can draw on as their own business continues to evolve.
And while the Luffs are brimming with inspiration off the back of the EDP, they are a couple not short of ideas themselves.
Tom and Emily’s EDP management project focused on their latest diversification – expanding their business into southern NSW.
From cropping to cattle, diversity adds business strength
The gradual purchase of Tom’s family farm in Gundagai spreads geographic and commodity risk, and this avid cropper has now found himself quite the cattle man.
“It’s been really interesting – I feel like taking on a cattle farm is like taking up golf – it’s been a real enjoyment,” he laughs.
“I went to my first bull sale recently, and I didn’t buy anything as I now realise I have really expensive taste in bulls!”
Farm kids, Charlotte and Claire Luff.
But as the ever-astute accountant Emily adds, “financially, it has to stand on its own legs, you can’t carry a property that’s not performing.”
The couple has simplified the business, shifting from Merinos and Herefords, to an Angus cow-calf operation, and is looking forward to the challenge and opportunity this latest venture affords.
Valued Rabobank support from a local team
By their side during the entirety is their rural manager, Felicity Taylor, based out of the Moree team, who Tom describes as “invaluable to our business”.
“Felicity is a great sounding board, and we very much consider her part of the business. She understands every aspect of our operation and what we’re trying to achieve. We run most major decisions past her, and in many ways, she’s like a board member for our business.”
And while he laughs that some of his ideas may be ‘optimistic’, Felicity always provides a level voice of reason.
“I can get a bit ahead of myself, so I really value her counterview, and she’s far more polite than Emily delivering feedback to some of my ideas!” he laughs.
At just 31, Felicity is one of the youngest area managers in Australia, and Tom and Emily agree that it’s a real advantage to have a manager of Felicity’s calibre locally-based.
“Felicity came to us when she was quite young, but she didn’t miss a beat – she has an expertise and maturity that defies her age, her communication is spot on, and we really appreciate everything she brings to our business.”
A team effort, DLL's Stewart Morris with Emily and Tom Luff and Rabobank's Felicity Taylor.
A contracting business also complements the Luffs’ multi-faceted operation, providing operational value from each piece of equipment and keeping staff busy during quieter months.
Their relationship with DLL – the vendor finance subsidiary of Rabobank – for machinery purchases has been crucial, Tom believes.
Working with DLL’s Stewart Morris, Tom says the process is always streamlined, easy, convenient – and very fast.
“One phone call, within reason, and Stewart can facilitate a transaction, and I’ve certainly put the pressure on him a few times, and he always delivers.”
For Armidale-based Stewart, it’s all part of the service.
“It shouldn’t be unusual, it should be standard – these guys have got so much other stuff going on, if it’s something they need to have, that’s what I’m here for – to find a solution, work with their Rabobank manager Felicity, and get it done.”
“Working with Rabobank to make sure that what we’re doing aligns with the bigger picture is so important, and provides a continuity of service we’re really proud of,” Stewart says.
Stewart Morris and Tom Luff, with the Luffs recently purchased planter.