Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
What are the advantages of documenting your farm’s policy and procedures?
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There are many different applications and motivations behind choosing to document your farm’s policies and procedures. These include:
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Quality assurance – consistency of task performance across the team. Also, being part of an audit programme can have financial rewards
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Time management – for farm owners wanting to step back or be in a growth phase, wanting to support the farm team when they may not be so available
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Staff induction and support – a valuable tool to support your team with a go-to information space.
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Succession and continuity – if a key person is not able to perform their duties, who else knows that information
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To store key information – no longer need to hunt out all the ICP numbers during staff or season changeovers – because they are all recorded in one place
How do I order?
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To order, complete the online order form and ensure payment is made at the time of purchase.
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Once payment is received, your Banarach Farm Manual login details will be emailed to you within two business days.
What does a farm manual cost?
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Dairy model with 131 policy and procedures costs $1,500 (+GST)
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Sheep and Beef model with 100 policy and procedures = $1,100 (+GST)
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Custom design manuals are available on request.
All prices are subject to change.​
Manual content will be upgraded as needed and provided free of charge. The base model includes your first year’s subscription. Thereafter, charged at $125 + GST per six months. 1 January to 30 June and 1 July to 31 December, with payment due 20th January and 20th July, and will be invoiced to you. Failure to keep your account current will result in temporary suspension of access to your account. ​
To unfreeze your account is as simple as renewing your subscription, so your information is never lost.
Any changes to subscription pricing will be communicated in advance and will not affect fees already invoiced or paid.
Can all the staff see everything?
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No – when you add a user – you make them either a user or administrator. Only administrators have editing rights and can see every page. If there is sensitive or business information you do not want all to see – then make it available to administrators only. This will mean you have to consider who are your administrators
How does the Banarach Farm Manual work?
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Each policy or procedure is in template form – just like a word document that you can customise true to your farming operations. There are several features that can help you:​
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Add a photo – self-explanatory – picture vs 1000 words!
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Add a button – allows you to add a link to a website – perfect for equipment instruction manuals or educational articles EG about lameness or identifying mastitis
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Date to review – choose from either 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months. Most review yearly, but if you want to review a newly written seasonal policy post-season, pop it on a 3-month review. An email alert is sent every Monday, telling you what is due for review.
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Tracked changes – all previous versions are held so you can refer back if needed
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AI Tool - optional feature
How long does it take to complete the Banarach Farm Manual?
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There is no single “right” way to complete the manual. Common approaches include:
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Completing it intensively over a short period (for example, blocking out time and working through multiple sections at once), or
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Working steadily over time, such as:
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one section per month, or
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around three policies per week.
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Feedback consistently shows that, while completing the manual requires effort, the structured templates significantly reduce the time compared to starting from scratch.
Once completed, the manual is yours to use and maintain as part of your farm’s ongoing operations.
Why was the Banarach Farm Manual created?
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The Banarach Farm Manual was developed in response to a real operational risk identified on-farm.
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What began as a single policy grew into a comprehensive system as standards, controls, and practical solutions were formalised over time. Drawing on combined experience in farming and health and safety, the manual was designed as a proactive way to manage risk, improve consistency, and support safer farm operations.
AI Tool
How does the Banarach AI Tool work?
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The Banarach AI Tool is an optional feature within your Farm Manual that helps draft farm-specific procedures faster.
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It works alongside the Banarach templates, helping farmers turn their systems and knowledge into clear written procedures.
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You remain fully in control of reviewing, editing, and approving any content created.
Do I need to be experienced with AI to use it?
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No. The AI tool is designed to be simple to use within your Farm Manual.
We also provide guidance on achieving the best results when drafting procedures.
Are there tips for writing prompts to achieve better results?
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Yes. Inside the Banarach Farm Manual we provide practical tips and examples for prompting the AI tool, including how to:
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Write clear instructions
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Provide useful context
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Refine outputs to suit your farm systems
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Adapt procedures for New Zealand farming conditions
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These tips are provided after you sign up so you can get the best results from the tool.
Is my farm information private?
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Yes. The Banarach AI tool operates in a closed system, meaning the information you enter into your Farm Manual is not shared with the public or other users.
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Your farm procedures and documentation remain private to your business.
Should I still review the AI-generated content?
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Yes. The AI tool helps create drafts faster, but farmers should always review procedures carefully and adapt them to match how things are actually done on their farm.
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Many farmers find it helpful to have staff review procedures to ensure they are clear and practical.
Subscription, Updates and Ongoing access
What updates are included?
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All updates to the Banarach Farm Manual content are provided at no additional cost while your subscription is active. This includes:
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New policies and procedures added to the manual
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Amendments driven by legislative or regulatory change
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Operational improvements and refinements to existing content
When updates may affect content you have already completed, notifications are sent via your dashboard so you can review and apply changes as appropriate.
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General product announcements may also be shared via the Banarach Farm Facebook page; however, your dashboard remains the primary source of official updates.
Why is there an ongoing subscription?
Your subscription ensures you receive ongoing updates to the Banarach Farm Manual, including changes required by law, regulation, and best practice. As compliance requirements evolve, the manual is updated to remain current and fit for purpose.
What is the subscription period?
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Subscription periods run as follows:
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1 January – 30 June (invoice due 20 January)
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1 July – 31 December (invoice due 20 July)
Invoices are issued automatically.
What happens if I don’t renew on time?
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If your subscription lapses, access to your account will be temporarily frozen.
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Your data and content are not deleted
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Nothing is lost
How do I regain access if I have let my subscription lapse?
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Access is restored immediately upon renewal of your subscription.