The numbers just keep climbing. WA’s 2025 grain harvest is now forecast to reach 23.68 million tonnes (Mt), according to the September report from the Grain Industry Association of WA, up from 21.9Mt in August.

It’s a strong and steady uplift that reflects ideal finishing conditions across much of the wheatbelt. And if the weather holds, it could mean a healthier cash position than many expected heading into the end of the year, opening the door to some big-picture planning beyond the farm.

As a property strategist working with many regional clients, I’m seeing growing interest in off‑farm investment. It’s not about stepping away from agriculture, it’s about future-proofing the family legacy.

Off-farm assets like investment properties in metro Perth or on the east coast give farming families more than just a financial buffer, they offer long-term flexibility. That might look like a townhouse in a high-growth corridor, a commercial unit leased to a local business, or joining forces with others in a property syndicate to co-own a shopping centre.

According to REIWA, Perth’s median house price rose to $800,000 in August, up from $688,000 a year earlier. With housing supply remaining tight and demand still strong, investors are seeing both capital growth and reliable rental income from well-located properties.

It’s not just about income; it’s about protecting your future. Off-farm investment lets you support non-farming children without splitting the land, weather seasonal ups and downs, and build wealth that grows beyond the farm gate. It gives the next generation not just responsibility, but real choice.

So, as harvest time gets closer, I’m encouraging our friends in the wheatbelt to look beyond headers and haul-outs. Take a portion of this year’s success and think about how it might serve you and your family in five, 10, even 20 years’ time.

Keep in mind, the smartest succession plans don’t start at retirement. They start when the silo’s full and the future looks bright.

Andrew Johnson
Johnson Property Group
Managing Director/Principal
M: 0418 194 101
E: andrew@jpg.com.au

This article first appeared in Farm Weekly, October 2025