For Theo Twist, farming in Central Hawke’s Bay is more than a job. It is something he genuinely enjoys.
“I love getting out of bed early and just getting stuck in. I love the animals. Seeing a lamb come in at 30 kilos and taking it through to 48 or 50, turning it into a good product. That’s what I enjoy.”
Theo farms in the Argyll district, about 10 minutes west of Waipawa. The business has been built up over generations, starting with land his grandfather bought in the 1960s. Since then, the family has expanded to bring four farms together into one operation.
Running a large farming business comes with constant financial pressure.
“There’s always big costs. Wages are between 10 and 15 grand a fortnight. That goes out no matter what. Interest goes every month. Machinery breaks down. There’s always something happening.”
For Theo, staying on top of everything requires good systems and the right support around him.
That is where Farm Focus and his accountant, Alan, play a key role.
“Everything is coded in Farm Focus, so we can see exactly where we are at any point in the month.”
Instead of guessing or waiting until the end of the season, Theo can make decisions in real time. Whether it is managing cashflow or responding to opportunities, he has the information he needs at hand.
“If I get the chance to buy a big line of stock that wasn’t budgeted, I can ring Alan from the ute and say, what happens if we do this?”
Within a short time, he has a clear answer.
“He’ll come back and say, if you do it, you might be a bit tight in three months, but this is how it will play out.”
That ability to test decisions on the spot has changed how Theo runs the farm.
“It’s peace of mind. Instead of just going out and buying 2,000 or 3,000 lambs and hoping for the best, we know straight away what it means for the business.”
It also strengthens the relationship with the bank, who can see decisions are being made with a clear understanding of the numbers.
For Theo and his team, ease of use is just as important as the insights.
“It’s simple. You can look at the homepage and see where you’re at straight away.”
His wife Beth, who manages the coding, values the support behind the platform.
“The support has been really good. If you’ve got a question, you’re talking to someone who understands farming.”
That practical, farmer-first support makes a difference when things need to be sorted quickly.
For Theo, Farm Focus fits the way real farm businesses operate. It helps him stay on top of a complex operation while still focusing on what he enjoys most.
“At the end of the day, it just gives you confidence. You can make calls, back yourself, and get on with the job.”
