In agriculture, uncertainty is a constant challenge. However, these uncertainties should not paralyze decision-making or delay essential long-term strategies such as succession planning.

Investing in replacement heifers without financially stressing the ranch is every beef producer’s goal. They must consider risks facing the operation, manage their financial health and discover additional income streams the ranch provides.

While I could go with the ordinary list of things like global events, market volatility, geopolitical issues, global economics and poor financial records, the things that really keep me awake at night fall more into the symptoms or characteristics of what leads to financial issues on a farm. Let’s take a look at a few that top my list.

While drought and other economic challenges tightened the U.S. cattle herd in recent years, the constriction eventually created a significant – and welcomed – upswing in profitability for many beef cattle producers.

Trust. It’s the glue that holds together the relationship between the bank and the borrower. And just like any other relationship, trust can take years to build through communication, setting expectations and following through.

Between high production costs, drought and other unpredictable market factors, there are many challenges facing those in the cattle industry. But one challenge no cattle producer wants to experience is when a buyer of cattle defaults on payment.

“Leave me alone and let me farm!” I’ve heard this from many a client over the years, sometimes in response to my request for timely financial reporting. But it is the wrong response. 

Borrowing money to pay the bills? If that’s you, you are not alone. As a dairy consultant who helps farmers increase income and efficiencies and reduce their expenses, these are the phone calls that have been coming in recently as worries loom over what’s to come in 2023.

There’s a lot of buzz around renewable natural gas (RNG) as a means for dairy farmers to diversify revenue while improving their carbon footprints. For many operators, it can be a particularly attractive option, especially given the current market and economic conditions.