Machinery is expensive. When making decisions to invest in equipment, it is important, then, to be sure it pays. Being able to cash flow a new equipment purchase is different than being able to justify a new purchase.

Things happen. Situations change. Someone dies and that handshake deal you made 10 years ago is not worth the paper it is written on … oh wait, it’s not written on paper!

Almost all farmers farm some rented ground. This may be a long-term relationship with a relative, a new opportunity or a one-year handshake deal. Implementing conservation practices on that ground requires an agreement between renter and owner, and starting that conversation can be the hardest part.