JPD Angus in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, grew into a family operation through evenings after long off-farm workdays and weekends spent raising Angus cattle.

Maggie eased her tired joints into the old wingback chair. Nick had hated that chair. For years, he teased her that it was the most uncomfortable piece of furniture his rear end ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with.

For many of us, Christmas looks a little different than it does in a Hallmark movie. The snow doesn’t fall just right, the wind bites harder than we’d like, and chores don’t take a holiday.

I used to get up early and go to town for Black Friday shopping, trying to get deals on family presents. I love giving gifts, and it was fun to look for what I knew family members would enjoy while also getting a good deal.

Although many farmers want to preserve their family legacy, they also need to consider their needs in retirement. Effective succession planning can balance these needs, but because of legal, financial and operational complexities, it’s important to approach this issue with a comprehensive framework.

It was a dreary April day this past spring in western Wisconsin. I spent the afternoon driving back from a cattle event, heading right to another community commitment I had that evening. That’s where I got the dreaded text, “Looks like 048 is calving.”

You’ve been putting in the hours. You show up before dawn, you work, you haul, you fix, you hustle. That’s how every farm leader starts – by proving they can do the work.

Be proud that you’re a first-generation rancher. We need you. The industry needs you.

Estate and succession planning can feel overwhelming, and it’s no surprise that many producers put it off. Many factors and unknowns come into play and can include: fear of losing your identity, not wanting to give up control, ego, fear of things changing and not wanting to hurt people’s feelings.