Forage Business Management

Custom harvesting: Avoid the mistakes that cost producers most

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Clear terms and communication protect both sides in custom forage harvesting.

Stay alive on the farm: Mastering the 9 mechanical hazards and ROPS safety

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Tractors drive daily farm work, yet they’re linked to 218 U.S. deaths each year, nearly half from overturns.

Ensuring you get paid for custom swathing and baling services

lgoering@umd.edu — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Automatic lien laws in a handful of states offer protection for custom operators, but knowing how to enforce them – and what not to do – is just as important.

The handiest tool

aoverbay@vt.edu — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:03:47 -0400

Before the pencil hits the page – or the wrench tightens the bolt – wisdom, experience and clear-eyed judgment do the real work.

Third generation rule: Fact or fiction?

don@dontyler.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The third generation rule is the commonly cited notion suggesting most family businesses don’t survive beyond the third generation. Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer, writing for Harvard Business Review in an article posted July 19, 2021, performed extensive research and shared convincing arguments that this “rule” is a myth without statistical or historical proof.

Should I buy or produce my hay or stored forages?

sblez@verizon.net — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Cattle producers in many areas of the country face a critical decision: whether to produce their own hay or to buy hay from external sources. Both approaches have distinct advantages, challenges and economic implications.

Who gets the family operation? How do I start on a succession plan?

shannonw@uidaho.edu — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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

Resiliency in the midst of change

laura@hitchpinllc.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A practical look at how grit, relationships and curiosity help farm families stay resilient through constant change.

Profit and legacy: Ensuring ranch viability for successors

marian@agproud.com — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A Wyoming family uses clarity, communication and business discipline to build a ranch the next generation wants to come back to.

Federal estate tax and gift tax limits announced for 2026

lgoering@umd.edu — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

New federal estate and gift tax limits for 2026 are set, making this a good time to revisit your long‑term transition plan.

Calculators aid forage inventory management

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Planning ahead is the key to accurate forage inventories and minimizing costly waste. Universities offer checklists and calculators to guide dairy and cattle producers, while extension specialists and feed company representatives provide practical advice on storage, sampling and shrink calculations.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act – what farmers need to know about tax changes

marian@agproud.com — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

OBBBA reshapes taxes, credits and succession planning in one sweeping package – bringing relief and complexity to farm families.

How do carbon markets work?

rossabronson@gmail.com — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The carbon markets are maturing. While some may remember early attempts, it has been since the Paris Agreement in 2015 that demand for carbon credits has really strengthened. There have been dynamic shifts over the last five years, in particular.

5 smart steps to winterize your equipment before storage

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

As fall winds down, forage and dairy producers face a critical shift: prepping equipment for winter.

Conducting a potentially emotional conversation

rmilligan@trsmith.com — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

I have had many conversations with my clients about past emotional conversations and assisting them in preparing for an upcoming conversation they fear may become emotional. This article is to assist you in preparing to succeed as a supervisor in those conversations.

Frequently asked questions: What happens if a trespasser is hurt on my property?

lgoering@umd.edu — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When a trespasser gets injured on someone else's property, the legal lines blur – can they actually sue the owner?

Transferring responsibilities and effective delegation

don@dontyler.com — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most challenging actions for business owners to take is to transfer some of their responsibilities to someone else. Most owners tend to be fiercely independent, driven by a clear purpose and focused on specific goals.

Planting the seeds of safety: Essential guidelines for tractor and equipment operation in agriculture

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Tractors and machinery form the backbone of daily ag operations. These powerful tools, however, come with inherent risks. Without proper safety protocols, they can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.

AI and its role in weather forecasting for the modern farmer and rancher

sarah@truittlegalgroup.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Discover how predictive analytics and deep-learning weather forecasts are helping farmers and ranchers outsmart nature’s toughest challenges.

Lines, land and legal notices: What to do when you get an eminent domain notice

lgoering@umd.edu — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When data centers arrive, transmission lines often follow.

Back to some business basics

rossabronson@gmail.com — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The livestock industry is thriving with high calf prices. Sound accounting principles are crucial for strategic investments and sustainable growth. Managerial accounting offers a broader perspective on expenses and profitability.

What is a carbon credit, and what do your cows have to do with it?

semejiaturcios@alltech.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

It’s probably safe to assume that, at some point, you’ve heard about carbon credits. After all, carbon credits have been utilized by various industries globally for decades as part of efforts to combat climate change.

Q&A: Choosing the right crop insurance for your farm's success

mike.boen@compeer.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Safeguard your bottom line with crop insurance options that balance risk and reward.

5 reasons we avoid hard conversations and how to make them easier

tim.schaefer@encore-consultants.net — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

We all know that communication is important, especially for healthy relationships, scaling up and a successful transition plan. With that said, why can it be so tough to communicate consistently? This article explores five reasons we avoid difficult conversations and how to improve overall communication.

Overcoming decision paralysis: How to make bold moves in agriculture

rena@tomorrowiscoming.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Every rancher faces difficult decisions. Whether it's investing in new equipment, expanding pastureland, preparing for succession planning or navigating generational transitions, the weight of uncertainty can paralyze even the most experienced rancher. Decision paralysis – the state of overthinking to the point of inaction – is a common challenge.

Wearable technology: Enhancing farm labor health, wellness and safety

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

From monitoring environmental hazards to tracking biometric data, these devices offer innovative solutions to improve worker well-being and operational efficiency in agricultural settings.

Homestead Acres Ag: Sustainable hay, crops and livestock done naturally

Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Homestead Acres Ag is a part of the Lerwicks' management transition process.

From field to funds: Collecting payment for farm goods and services

kelly.wilfert@wisc.edu — Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Your ability to collect payment may depend on how well you knew and managed your rights throughout the working relationship.

Crop protection legislation: The battle over pesticide liability

lgoering@umd.edu — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

You might be asking yourself, “What is this legislation focused on protecting? And does it benefit me as a hay and forage producer?”

Hiring vs. doing it yourself: 2025 Idaho custom rates survey results

bwilder@uidaho.edu — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The University of Idaho Extension's 2025 Custom Rates Survey helps farmers compare costs of doing farm work themselves versus hiring custom operators.