Disagreements occur in our everyday lives, and many usually unexpected. The agriculture industry is not immune to disputes, and many times has the most difficult time finding help resolving disputes. Ranchers and farmers routinely enter into business deals, buy and sell land, lease property, secure loans and participate in government programs through the USDA or other federal and state agencies.

Custom forage harvesting helps producers avoid major equipment costs but only works when roles, liability and payment terms are clearly spelled out. Written agreements keep the arrangement a custom work contract – not an accidental partnership.

The 2026 Canadian Dairy Business Summit included two dairy producers who have successfully navigated the farm succession process. Paul MacLeod of Darcroft Farms near Embro, Ontario, and Clarence Markus of Markvale Holsteins near Beachville, Ontario, detailed their respective roads to completing their plans.

Healthy communication can be defined in many ways, but in general, all these ways include three main themes: clarity, respect and promoting understanding. Making sure you are building healthy communication habits, especially surrounding topics like your mental health, doesn’t just happen. It is a skill that is learned by practice and planning.

This article looks at one of the most practical ways to strengthen culture and boost engagement: holding meaningful conversations between supervisors and employees.

Our local farmers are under financial pressure, face unpredictable weather and market swings, and are under an overwhelming cultural expectation to “rub some dirt on it” or “cowboy up” and get through it regardless of how they feel. All of these things just compound the strain and lead to silence and, in some cases, tragedy.

Succession planning protects the family operation before crisis forces decisions no one is ready to make.