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Margy Eckelkamp

Margy Eckelkamp is the brand leader for Farm Journal’s Top Producer and The Daily Scoop, specializing in business reporting for CEO farmers and agricultural professionals. She provides actionable intelligence to help operations navigate farmland dynamics, diversified revenue streams and overall profitability. Margy’s expertise spans regulatory and EPA issues, ag retail trends and tech innovations – topics she explores in depth on The Scoop podcast. Her nuanced analysis of modern business management ensures agricultural leaders are equipped to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Latest Stories
Since 2020, a series of black swan events in just a few years time resulted in sporadic product shortages and concern about how to react and plan for the future.
The latest Federal Reserve board meeting left interest rates unchanged, but there’s a subtle shift in its monetary policy Vince Malanga, president of LaSalle Economics, says should be noted.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
Matt Plitt was appointed president and CEO of Valent U.S.A., which includes subsidiaries Valent de Mexico and Valent Canada, in April 2022. Valent is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Company.
John Maman of Nutrien Financial encourages farmers to revisit their financial plan now that the crop is in the ground and agronomic conditions can be assessed.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
Formulating your farm’s succession plan is likely not a straight line. Polly Dobbs, an Indiana attorney who is part of a seven-generation farm family, says it’s important to stay focused on your end goals.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.
On Tuesday, AGI announced it is standardizing its North America grain bin materials, and therefore closing the Grand Island, Neb., manufacturing facility.