It pays to get the most out of farm meetings because animal well-being and productivity are usually involved. Whether discussing nutrition plans, health protocols, farm management strategies and more, our experiences point to one overarching factor that maximizes meeting time: preparation.

"If you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business.” This quote is by B. C. Forbes, the founder of Forbes Magazine, and runs doubly true for farms and businesses with more than one key owner or leader.

While investing in an anaerobic digester can have many advantages, dairy farmers have much to consider as they embark on these projects. Use the following tips to help ensure your anaerobic digester journey is successful.

The current business climate of high interest rates and ongoing inflation is challenging. It requires business owners to be proactive and strategic with cash management, debt management and requires an overall increased focus on every aspect of the business.

It is time to stop guessing what everyone thinks, feels, wants and needs. Explore what stories your grandparents, parents and siblings are telling themselves about the future and transition of wealth on your farm. Ask Grandpa or Mom, “I’m just curious, what is the story you are telling yourself? Is this a scarcity mindset issue? How much is enough? Would you ask for the help of a financial planner to give you more financial security and certainty for your income streams as you age in place on this farm?”

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.

Beef production business and ranch managers have been anticipating and preparing for the fall busy season including weaning, selling calves, vaccinations, fall calving, etc., for weeks. Now it is time for managers to be doers. Right? Well, yes and no.

We all can remember situations when we felt out of place or like we didn’t belong. In that moment, time stood still. We stood there, feeling like a sore thumb, looking desperately for someone to make us feel like we were meant to be there.

If you or someone in your farm family is getting married soon or considering marriage in the future, having the prenuptial conversation can be helpful in providing peace of mind and legal protection if the marriage does not go as planned later down the road.