It appears that 2017 could be an important year for a number of agricultural law issues. From the Clean Water Act, to “ag gag” legislation, to the Endangered Species Act, there are a number of pending cases that could have major impacts on the agricultural industry in the coming year.

Commercial beef production in 2016 is estimated about 6 percent above that of 2015. This is due to a combination of increased slaughter and slightly higher dressed weights.

Income tax season is a favorite for producers near and far (note the level of sarcasm in this statement).

Managing taxable income to minimize one’s tax obligation is a goal of many business owners. However, managing taxable income as an agricultural business owner can be challenging.

Cattlemen spend countless dollars and hours in efforts to maintain and improve the productivity of their cattle. Forages, feed and other inputs are delivered to the animal in an ongoing effort to improve productivity at a variety of levels.

Profit margins are being squeezed from both directions. Prices for nearly all ag commodities are much lower than they were a few years ago, and production costs are steady or rising.

“Change is happening out there!” Mike Hutjens exclaimed as he enthusiastically began his presentation on the opportunities and solutions for dairy producers in 2017 and beyond at the recent Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference held in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

The seasoned rancher In the Nebraska Sandhills, 2006 and 2009 were both drought years, but neither of those was as severe as the drought of 2012.

An S corporation, unlike a regular C corporation, is able to avoid double taxation because it is not required to pay corporate income tax on the profits of the company. All profits and losses are passed directly to the shareholders of the company.

Section 1031 exchange refers to section number 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. While these sales are sometimes referred to as “tax-free,” they are not. Any income taxes due might be delayed until a future date, but they must be accounted for and paid at some time.