Business
See how rising costs impact you and your family.
As the leader of a business, you have two choices. As trends and economics change, you can adapt and capitalize on the opportunities, or you can stay the course and watch your business decline.
For the first time since September 2020, the rural economy is showing signs of weakness.
If your summer farm help involves your child or grandchild, you can combine that hard work with a financial life lesson.
As with any relationship, you must invest time and effort to build a rapport with your landlord. Follow these four suggestions.
“If you do not run your day, your day will run you,” says Mary Kelly, CEO of Productive Leaders. “Having control of your time allows you to plan for the success you want.”
How can you reward team members for good work, increase employee retention and achieve your operation’s goals? Consider implementing an incentive pay system to reward your farm employees.
The Top Producer of the Year Award recognizes producers who demonstrate excellence in the business of farming, including marketing, farm finance, family and employee relations, technology and environmental stewardship.
Be ready for a big profit swing for 2023 — to the downside. The 2023 Illinois Crop Budgets released by the University of Illinois show a clear trend of higher costs and lower returns.
The Nuffield International Farming Scholars program selects a farmers and agri-professionals to embark on an international journey to study key agricultural issues and develop a global network.
As the leader of your farm, you have a great opportunity and responsibility. You set the pace, the tone and the direction of your business.
Use weekly leadership meetings to set priorities and focus on goals.
How do farmers survive and thrive in farming today? Steve Pitstick shares some strategies he’s employed over the decades.
Brendan and Elaine Martin are building their dream farm — one piece at a time.
You’ve heard the horror stories. The ones about farm families who spend months in court fighting over assets. The result? A destroyed business and fractured family. Why does this situation play out over and over?
For a fifth straight month, the rural economy has posted signs of trouble. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
“Humbling.” That’s how Todd Malecha describes winning the title of the 2022 Top Producer of the Year award.
The 2023 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers.
The Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award will be given to a producer under the age of 35, who demonstrate excellence in the business of farming.
Sarah Frey started a simple produce delivery route that has evolved into a fresh fruit and vegetable operation that distributes products nationally.
For 2023, make expanding your business edge a priority by joining Top Producer at its annual Top Producer Summit.
For the sixth time in the past seven months, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
Profitable farmers create financial habits that separate them from others. These habits, consistently applied through the years, add up, and the results are evident.
You wear many hats throughout the year. What happens if you or one of the key decision makers is away from the farm for a few weeks or months? Will everyone know exactly what to do when?
Todd and Louise Malecha have one mission: Keep everyone on the same page. For their operation, that “same page” is a 587-page business plan.
Ensure your farm business attracts and retains employees
For a sixth consecutive month, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.
“Most farms don’t have the time, capabilities, perspectives, resources or desire to do all the tasks it takes to run an operation,” says Steve Kluemper, AgriStrategies LLC founder. “A lot of growers hire to fill gaps.”
Your goal is to commit yourself to establishing a culture of thanks on your farm. Try out a few of these ideas during this season of Thanksgiving.
In just a few years the farm financial pendulum swung from shaky to stable, according to the 2022 Agricultural Lender Survey report by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac.