Mr Shady and his brother had both been keen to return to the farm from a young age, and like all farming families, the way the property east of Skipton would be split provided significant headache for the family.

Years on from the successful succession, Mr Shady and wife Ayesha Hilton have penned a book detailing the secrets to successfully handing over the family farm, while still maintaining positive relationships with one another.

Titled Who Gets the Farm?, the book details some of the common challenges farming families face when forced to consider how property and assets will be divided among their children.

Mr Shady said too often farmers were reluctant to talk about what a succession plan would look like.

“Everyone thinks if you split the family business you never talk again, but the whole point is so you can sit down at Christmas time and get along,” Mr Shady said.

In addition to splitting the farm with his brother, Mr Shady’s two sisters were also involved in the division of the property.

Mr Shady said was also important to engage with professional services to help determine the value of an estate, and to ensure all parties were happy with the outcome.

“People have to be open with their communication and have a good team around them,” Mr Shady said.  “Include accountants and solicitors, because if the bank manager’s not happy, you’re stuffed.”

Mr Shady now operates around 890 hectares of cropping land near Lismore.  As well as being a farmer, he also ran for pre-selection for the Liberal candidacy for the seat of Ballarat at the next federal election.

Mr Shady said he continued to have a strong relationship with his brother, seven years after going their separate ways.

Mr Shady said it was important to recognise settlement plans were not as simple as dividing the property down the middle.

“Every family is different, and you can’t just say the same amount goes each way.”

A launch party for the book will be held at The Lake View Hotel on February 26 from 6.30pm.