National Agriculture Day is coming this month. On March 21, the agriculture industry has a chance to come together and educate the public about the role of agriculture in the economy and Americans’ everyday lives.
Participant Mark Biedenfeld, who has been around agriculture his whole life, got involved with National Ag Day after he read …
In a short video for AgStar, agricultural economist Dr. David Kohl explains why the next 24 months could spark greater opportunities for expansion. Dr. Kohl estimates that 60% of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next 13 years. As older producers look toward downsizing or retiring, more land will become available. Dr. Kohl …
A new change has been announced by the USDA that could provide some benefit to young farmers or other farmers who are just starting out. Getting land to farm has been a challenge to new farmers, and the changes to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) could assist them.
Gene Lucht reports in Missouri Farmer Today, …
With all the emphasis on the next generation and bringing Millennials into farming, Randy Krotz, CEO of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), thought it would be smart to bring the farm to them. The USFRA set up a booth at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, and it turned out to …
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, there has been speculation about who he might pick for Secretary of Agriculture. It has been noted that Sonny Perdue, the former governor of Georgia, is a strong contender.
As far as policy goes, Farm Futures has some insight: “The U.S. is a major exporter of crops and …
Measuring operational profitability is a complex process. AgStar’s Lori Teigin shares some insight into this process. Here are some of the factors involved in calculating profitability:
Accrual: Teigin explains, “From a lender’s standpoint, accrual analysis, not cash, is the best way to look at how your business is performing.” (She goes into greater detail …
It’s estimated that 20% of U.S. farms do not have a next generation who will take over. That means these business owners have begun to consider partnering with non-family members. Agricultural expert Dr. Dave Kohl has some advice for this process:
Make a list of business, family, and personal goals. What do you hope …
Building on the success of corn mazes and pumpkin patches, farmers are finding new ways to bring visitors from the city out to their farms.
“One of the unique things about this whole idea of agritourism is that it’s an interface between agriculture and the urban population,” says Idaho grower Jim Lowe. “You’ve got to …
Earlier this month, industry leaders met during the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange to discuss the foodie phenomenon, and how to market to this consumer. The keynote speaker defined a foodie as “someone who considers food a key hobby and is socially active in discussing those subjects.” Foodies had been the subject of much …
As a business owner, you are always thinking of how to grow your operation and efficiently manage it. Successful producers share some tips with younger farmers who want their business to thrive.
Develop strong relationships. Every business is built on relationships, no matter what industry. This means within your operation, as well as with …
