Latest News From Top Producer

“If we step back and look at what that means for farmland, we're taking our energy production system from highly centralized production facilities and we have to distribute it,” says David Muth.

RhizeBio cofounder Doug Tole joins host Paul Neiffer for Episode 143 of the Top Producer Podcast.

David Muth of Peoples Company Capital Markets, the Investment platform for Peoples Company, shares how institutional investors have reacted to higher interest rates on their land investments pursuits.

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a gauge of economists’ views on the ag economy. While outlooks have grown weaker, it’s the erosion in the future outlook that is sprouting fresh concerns.

Kyle Scheele shares six ways constraints can be a good thing to your operation.

Farmer and philanthropist Howard Buffett held a fireside chat during the 2024 Top Producer Summit to share his experiences visiting the front line of Ukraine over the past two years.

Shay Foulk shares tips to help balance equipment debt, transition and economic downturn.

Jerry Gulke discusses an unusual trend in the markets.

There are a number of practices that can create passive income on your operation, but the level of effort and investment to implement them varies.

Vanessa O'Brien shares the similar traits held by both farmers and explorers: courage, endurance, resilience and dedication.

Machinery Pete predicts descriptions of used equipment won't be enough to create buyer trust in the near future.

Farm attorney Matt Folz shares the pros and cons of creating a charitable remainder trust.

Sarah Beth Aubrey explores the advantages and disadvantages of early adoption in the ag industry.

“We are really in a second phase of ag tech,” says Ryan Raguse, co-founder of Bushel. “We aren’t in an overly mature state—we’re still somewhere in the middle ground."

Paul Neiffer, The Farm CPA, details some of the Biden administration's 2025 budget plans and how they could affect farmers if approved. Of the provisions, only one would potentially help farmers, he says.

There’s a bumper crop of agronomic, machinery and business advancements to help elevate your efficiencies and profitability in 2024. Here are a half dozen examples of the trends coming to your farm gate.

Experts are watching global dynamics to understand the input market’s longer-term outlook in the U.S. Among their top concerns are geopolitics, weather and low supply.

The team at Traction Ag is working to provide via its cloud-based farm accounting application a system that captures all the financial and field information farmers need to record and manage.

The practices used during the 2024 growing season will have a direct impact on the ability to take advantage of these incentives. Mitchell Hora of Continuum Ag shares what you need to know.

“It’s hard to put yourself in growth mode when things are getting so expensive,” says Tanner Ehmke with CoBank.

No step is too big for Top Producer finalist, PJ Haynie. Deep family roots are the foundation of his farming legacy. 

At Christiansen Land and Cattle, they’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement, a mindset that started when Christine Hamilton’s family homesteaded in South Dakota in 1891.

A farmer and cattle producer in western Iowa, Kelly Garrett’s operation continues to conquer change.

If you weren't able to attend Top Producer Summit in Kansas City, you can still watch the awards banquet.

As a sixth generation Iowa farmer, Pam Johnson has been sharing agriculture’s food, fiber and fuel stories her entire life.

Jim Rothermich of Iowa Appraisals shares what he expects from land values in the year ahead.

Working and training with her mother, in 2019 Hallie Shoffner took the lead as CEO and continues to focus on growing the business, searching for opportunities in specialty crops and value-added production.

Midwestern farmer Marcia Ruff, 2023 Top Producer Women In Ag Award winner, splits her time between the classroom and the family farm — setting an example for others to lead from where they are.

Ag economists’ views on the ag economy took a dive in the first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor of 2024; however, relatively strong balance sheets and working capital could provide a cushion for 2024. 

Consultant Bruce Vande Steeg has found creating a vibrant farm business starts with the leadership.

Use the topics and tools included in The DIRTT Project to jump-start the succession planning process for your operation whether you are just beginning or need to get on track.

Machinery Pete shares a unique combine recently listed for sale and what it means for your farm’s equipment plan going forward.

Shay Foulk shares six ways to mitigate loss and plan to pilot through tough years.

Vikram Luthar’s leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board’s Audit Committee.

Land in a C corporation is easy to check into the corporation, but it can be difficult to check out without paying income tax on it.

Sarah Beth Aubrey shares why instead of promoting their environmental efforts, some companies opt for a quieter approach, potentially saying nothing at all.

Angie Setzer says, "With their new trade agreement with Brazil, China is likely to import less corn from the U.S. in 2023.”

Farm Journal Foundation Farmer Ambassadors share their takeaways from COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

"It’s difficult to find anything bullish to say about corn for 2024." says Jon Scheve.

"Near term, the soybean market has a loftier perch with a tight balance sheet emerging from supply headwinds," says Mike North.  

The startups will be featured in a pitch event at Farm Journal’s Top Producer Summit Feb. 5-7 in Kansas City

Chip Nellinger says, “Producers should be prepared to be more aggressive than years past in protecting downside price risk.”

Peter Meyer says, "Both the corn and soybean markets will need to take their lead from changes in both global and domestic demand given the production shortfall stories have become stale."

Jerry Gulke says a strong return to Marketing 101, last seen during the 1980s, may be on the horizon. 

In their January 2024 land values report, Farmers National Company shared that the sharp increase in farmland values has slowed, and values are holding strong.

The 2024 Top Producer Summit is Feb. 5 to 7 in Kansas City, Mo.

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

John Phipps reflects on his 30 years of writing for Farm Journal's audience.

The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

From the election to world trade, as well as geopolitical factors that have the potential to shape agriculture in 2024, the December Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows the possibility of several economic surprises.