Sara Schafer

Sara (Muri) Schafer, editor of Top Producer magazine, grew up on a family farm where they raised hogs and cattle, along with soybeans, corn, wheat, milo and hay. Since joining Farm Journal Media in 2008, she has covered a broad range of topics pivotal to the success of U.S. farmers. In addition to being an award-winning journalist, she has played several key roles with the transformative relaunch of AgWeb.com and spearheaded the Farm Journal Legacy Project expansion. Sara graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics. She resides in Columbia, Mo., with her husband and daughter.

Latest Stories

Your crop insurance decisions are a key part of your risk management plan for this year.

Crop Production

Tips and Tools to Aid Your 2022 Crop Insurance Decisions

Your crop insurance decisions are a key part of your risk management plan for this year.

July 25, 2023 09:40 AM

Sara Schafer

There may never be a more important time to focus on the relationships with your employees.

Health

Leadership Tip: Focus on Relationships When Stress is High

There may never be a more important time to focus on the relationships with your employees.

July 25, 2023 09:18 AM

Sara Schafer

Former President Donald Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods during his presidency, raising costs for American companies, according to the ITC.

World Markets

5 Transformations Happening in China That Will Affect Your Farm

China contains the largest population of any country in the world. All those mouths drive demand across the globe and for your farm’s products.

July 25, 2023 09:17 AM

Sara Schafer

Succession Planning

Lead Versus Do: Overcome the Challenges of Being A Working Manager

“Nearly every working manager is more competent and comfortable doing tasks,” says Bob Milligan with Dairy Strategies. “That makes it easy to avoid the people side. It is rational but not effective.”

July 25, 2023 09:16 AM

Sara Schafer

In theory, adding a value-added enterprise sounds like the perfect reaction to fluctuating commodity prices.

Taxes and Finance

Want To Diversify? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions

In theory, adding a value-added enterprise sounds like the perfect reaction to fluctuating commodity prices.

July 24, 2023 04:29 PM

Sara Schafer

Market Outlooks

Jerry Gulke: Will Governments Interfere with Price Volatility?

The grain markets are playing a familiar tune—a song of higher prices. “We are truly in uncharted waters,” says Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group. “There are so many things in motion.”

July 24, 2023 04:29 PM

Sara Schafer

All eyes will be on USDA’s planting numbers on Thursday, March 31. Will acres swing hard to corn, soybeans or be split down the middle?

Market Outlooks

4 Potential Surprises for the March 31 Prospective Plantings Report

All eyes will be on USDA’s planting numbers on Thursday, March 31. Will acres swing hard to corn, soybeans or be split down the middle?

July 24, 2023 04:21 PM

Sara Schafer

Market Analysis

What to Know Ahead of USDA’s Prospective Plantings Report

What should you know ahead of USDA’s March 31 reports? Read through our team’s comprehensive coverage.

July 24, 2023 04:20 PM

Sara Schafer

Market Outlooks

Jerry Gulke: Will High Prices Cause Demand Reduction or Destruction?

A friendly WASDE report, combined with other factors, helped grain prices jump. This put added pressure on the spring acreage mix.

July 24, 2023 04:19 PM

Sara Schafer

Taxes and Finance

How to Anchor Your Farm’s Profits From Inflation’s Pull

Inflation is exceptionally difficult to tame, says Chip Flory, Farm Journal Economist and “AgriTalk” Host: “To tame it, you have to kill it. If you kill it, you kill the economy, and it sends you into recession.”

July 24, 2023 04:13 PM

Sara Schafer