THE Warwick saleyards were full to the brim with stallholders at the first AgExpo at last week's cattle sale.

Hosted by Condamine Headwaters Landcare in conjunction with Southern Downs Regional Council, the expo gave local businesses and government groups a chance to promote rural and agriculture support services directly to Southern Downs graziers.

Landcare co-ordinator Catherine Travers said the event was about bringing vital information to the people.

"We're optimistic people will come through as the sale progresses," she said.

"I just think sometimes you have to take the information to the people rather than asking producers to come to you all the time."

The event hosted rural financial counsellors like Rod Garland to provide quality advice to any producers who may be feeling the crunch of rural life.

"I have a local business in Roma that I have been running for about 12 months now," Mr Garland said.

"My business is about helping people passionate about rural industries."

With his own stall at AgExpo Mr Garland commended the idea for its ability to reach graziers on their own terms.

"AgExpo has been a chance to have a chat with rural people who might want to come to the sale and seek advice," he said.

"I quite regularly talk to local people and farmers and just having a stall is a great opportunity to promote our business.

"I think it has been a fantastic idea and whether it's the right set up and location we'll find out, but it's certainly the case where you have plenty of rural people coming and going all day.

"With the economy and drought conditions the way they are we've got to do anything we can do to let business people know there is help available and the opportunities for them to take it."

Mr Garland said his primary business is operating as a financial counsellor, specifically helping people on properties.

"Usually the people I deal with have experienced some kind of financial difficulty," he said.

"My goals are to have them ask for help and help them through those difficulties to a more secure and stable position.

"Although I deal with all sorts of factors with clients, the biggest issue I would encounter is people don't plan and follow a cash flow.

"It doesn't matter how big or small your business is, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

With ever-changing environmental conditions and a volatile market, Mr Garland said plenty of farmers could use a financial planner to help them manage these factors effectively.

"The very ability of having opportunities in rural enterprise is having high commodity and low prices and managing the dry and wet seasons, variables that have to be factored into a cash flow," he said.

"My biggest tip is don't wait until you're in financial trouble to ask for help.

"If you can see that you're in decline that is the best time to ask so we can help you get back on your feet."

For more information, phone Rod on 4622 4858.