Benjamin Franklin said nothing is certain is except death and taxes. We talk about both subjects with Paul Neiffer as we look at what is the best tax strategy in 2024 and beyond and how to reduce some of the tax implications when we do pass away.

Tighter crop margins lead us to believe the machinery market is beginning to weaken. Is that the case? Machinery Pete discusses what he sees across the industry. We take a look at market sectors that are strong and others that show weakness, plus we discuss things to keep in mind if you are buying or selling tractors and equipment. 

The cliché says to not put all your eggs in one basket. This past Top Producer winner is very successful in farming, but they have also diversified into several baskets, so-to-speak, and that has allowed them to develop income streams in a variety of markets in rural and small town America and help those very communities along the way.

USDA’s prospective plantings report showed a decline in the number of acres intended to be in corn production this year, but perhaps the biggest surprise is that there appears to be six and a half million acres of crop ground that is unaccounted for. Chip Flory and I discuss the year ahead, including tighter margins, marketing strategies and more. 

Buying, selling, trading and the like are a part of life and a part of business. How do you become a better negotiator and work to help both parties in the process? We take a look at some of the keys from an expert in the field. 

As we prepare to plant this year’s crop, margins are tight and it may be difficult to pencil a profit this year and perhaps for some time. Where should you cut costs and where should you invest in inputs? Ken Ferrie helps us evaluate those decisions, plus we discuss unseasonably warm weather in most parts of farm country and keys to keep in mind for those considering earlier than normal planting.    

The title alone, “Organic versus Conventional” implies there is a debate. Perhaps one is better than the other? Maybe consumers desire one and despise the other? Is that really the case for farmers or consumers? We have an enlightening conversation about where farming and food production is headed and how all of us can stay on the innovative and profitable side of change.

About three years ago we visited with former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman about a new book he had just written. Many of his thoughts then still ring true today. I thought it would be fun to look back to hear him talk about life, agriculture, politics and more.

Many of us are after bigger yields, but what will it take for the country to average 100 bushel beans and 300 bushel corn? It’s a discussion that covers many topics and we visit with someone who looks at the challenges and possible solutions. 

Many of us listening to these broadcasts have a tie to agriculture. Perhaps you have a farm, business and or land that you will pass to a next generation or sell to others interested in the industry. Those generational transitions can be filled with emotion and doubt – wondering if we are doing the right thing to be fair to all and help everyone succeed. This week we discuss some of the common mistakes that are made in that process.

Last year most economic prognosticators expected a recession on the horizon. What has changed in the past year? Where are interest rates headed? What is the farm economic forecast for the year ahead. We talk to Nate Kauffman at the KC Fed to get his perspective. Plus, we’ll talk about some of the latest initiatives from the United Soybean Board to boost soy uses and prices. 

Just about all of us need insurance, but not all of us are adequately covered. In sometimes difficult to know if we are over insured, under insured or have missed some critical areas all together. This week we visit with a man with years of experience working with ag operations and he provides a perspective on the changing challenge for land owners and farm operators, including liability protection, insuring fleets of trucks and protecting against large claims. 

The annual Practical Farm Research data is something many farmers, including myself, use to make agronomic decisions. What are the key takeaways from the annual field trials and what should we consider for the upcoming season and beyond? 

Many of us listening to this broadcast are either from or live in and around smaller towns. We depend on those places for our schools, groceries, supplies and much more. But what do you do when buildings sit empty – sometimes for long periods of time. This small town had a unique way to start businesses and help their community meet the needs of its citizens. 

Scott Brown is a respected voice in the ag industry when it comes to evaluating domestic and global agricultural markets. His insights into economic trends are ones that often have him on the road speaking to many farm based groups and ag clients. We talked about where we stand and where we may be headed in 2024.

The pork industry is weathering a difficult time for many producers right now. Despite those challenges, there are reasons for optimism. We take a look at some of the opportunities in the pork sector and what those trends mean for all of us. What are the domestic and international hurdles to move pork producers’ bottom line back into the black and how do those forces impact the rest of the meat industry?

Dean Wysocki joins us to discuss the LRC model and what the long range weather forecast for the U.S this year. Which areas can expect drought and what regions will receive the best rainfall? Will it be an early or late planting season? We cover that and much more.

I think you’ll enjoy this week’s broadcast – I know I enjoyed talking with two individuals about practical, down-to-earth ways we can be a better leader, no matter whether we are the boss of a large business, or at the lower rungs of an organization. We all have ways to make a positive impact and as a sidelight, you’ll love the accent of our first guest! 

It’s happened again. Hundreds of people are wandering around Rob’s front yard out on his farmstead about five miles outside of Le Mars, Iowa. It’s a tradition about three decades old now and it all began with one farm family who put up Christmas lights around their home and barns. Today it is a free attraction that brings hundreds of people here almost every night and it’s raising donations for local causes. 

Just about anyone who has or does live in a rural area knows the challenges of connecting to the internet. Poor connectivity isn’t just a nuisance, it costs operators money. How can you help overcome those issues? Plus we discuss the challenges on the horizon for corn and soybean leaders and an outlook for the coming year. 

As farmers we hear about plenty of programs willing to pay us to use certain sustainable practices or perhaps pay a premium for commodities grown in a certain way. There’s nothing wrong with those programs but sometimes it’s difficult to sort through them all. Farmers for Soil Health is a new program supported by commodity groups through the USDA and could be a great option for many operations. 

Crops need nutrients to grow, but what and how we apply those nutrients continues to change with technology and sustainability programs. While the need for the big three, N, P and K remains, what does the supply and demand curve look like for these and other crop inputs? We discuss the coming year and beyond for fertilizer and how global conflicts are changing the flow of those crop nutrients to different nations. 

If land prices moved in tandem with interest rates, land sale prices would be down 30%. That has not happened, yet which leads many to wonder, will interest rates begin to stall farm growth moving forward? What are the top producers doing well that others are not in a time when interest expense is rising for many operations? Plus, in the second half of our show we have an interesting conversation about a time when it seemed the Future Farmers of America, the FFA, was perhaps going out of business. 

Depending on where you live or farm, there may be debate on whether you should use fungicide, just use it when you see disease pressure, or apply it every season no matter the weather. Something interesting happened this year on a farm in north central Iowa, and the results of one farmer’s test would up all over the internet. I’ll share what we learned. 

If you are a part of a farm or small business, or for that matter, simply have assets that you want to protect and think about passing along to another generation someday, you have several items you need to consider. These may involve estate planning, a variety of types of insurance, investing and more. And then there is the discussion of how to create a plan that is fair, even if it may not be equal. 

In 1980 about 6% of food was exported. In 2020 about 30% of all food grown was exported by countries. Fifteen countries account for 80% of all food exports. Jason Clay helps us make sense of these trends and what that means for farmers moving forward. Will there be “carrots” to reward certain growing practices or will “sticks” enter the marketplace that force change? It’s an engaging conversation that will make you think about the future of how we farm. 

A lot has changed since the Covid years in how we buy and sell machinery. Greg Peterson and I talk about how to adapt to those changes to increase the value of your equipment when marketing it to others. How are interest rates impacting not only sales, but also the decision of whether to purchase or lease? How has dealer consolidation impacted the way used equipment is trading? 

Troy Anderson’s family farm has built a profitable beef business that now stretches from cow/calf production to their own small feedlot. They have used data to help them produce a strong herd that is earning premiums on the rail. We discuss how they’ve done it and what we can apply to how and where we farm. 

The Daltons farm in Ohio and some innovative changes they’ve made in their operation have helped them take advantage of new market opportunities. Those changes have allowed another family member to work on the farm and have boosted profits and built a local customer base as well. 

On this special edition of our show, Andrew visits with Clayton Nevins and Dan Poston with Pivot Bio. Learn how farmers are using Pivot Bio products and what may be the best fit for each farming operation. Clayton and Dan answer many of the common questions they hear from farmers about Pivot Bio's Nitrogen generating products.

The market for organic crops continues to grow, but many of us may wonder if it’s worth the time, money and risk to devote all or some of our acres to making the switch. This week I visit with an Iowa farmer who did convert his acres to organic corn, beans and more. We discuss what all of us should consider when it comes to changes in production, marketing and labor. It could be a very good fit for some farmers. 

Blake Hurst is worried about selling his soybeans. That’s what he recently penned for an article about our foreign trade situation. That may leave some of you asking, so exactly why is he worried and how does foreign trade, and specifically tariffs, impact the U.S. Farm economy? I think you’ll be interested in what the past Missouri Farm Bureau president has to share about our current economic situation and what may be ahead for the farm sector. 

Can you make a living “playing” the role of a farmer? It may sound like a strange question, but the answer is “yes” and I’ll take you to meet the real life kid who grew up farming on a simulator game and turned it into a career that has him purchasing land and farming that ground in central Iowa today. It could be a playbook for other kids who love agriculture. 

Perhaps you’ve heard of short stature corn which is scheduled to have a larger roll out next year to interested farmers. I took a look for myself and will provide an update on the pros and cons of the new technology. Plus, on this edition of the show we’ll get a fall crop update with tips and ideas that may work where you live. 

Farmers are often looking for multiple revenue streams. I’ll take you to a Nebraska farm that took some of their Conservation Reserve Ground and created a nationally recognized golf course. Plus, in this week’s edition of our show we’ll share ideas to help your community thrive. 

ProFarmer recently completed their annual Crop Tour. We’ll take a look at what their corn and bean numbers reveal and what it could mean for us this harvest season and beyond. Is $3 corn ahead? What should we take into account before marketing grain and livestock this year and next?

Trey Wasserburger is a first generation rancher and he finds himself leading a cattle operation growing premium beef, from conception to consumer, that will go to the world’s largest retailer. We discuss how they built the business, meeting the demands of a changing consumer, and overcoming the challenges of the beef industry. 

“Try that in a small town.” That phrase and the lyrics to a song have caused quite a buzz in small towns and big cities alike. Is it much ado about nothing or is it a larger conversation about what’s right or wrong in the country? Corey Flournoy is my guest, and he discusses this and much more, including the times he’s felt welcome and not so welcome in small towns and agriculture and what we can learn from those situations.

Over the past few years we’ve continued to hear of record-breaking farm land sales in many parts of the nation. Are higher interest rates and rising input prices putting a lid on the market, or is there still enough buying capacity to keep the market moving higher?  We look at the latest trends we see in farm country. 

There have been several important ag issues finding their way to the U.S. Supreme Court recently. What do those rulings mean for farmers and ranchers? Whether it’s Waters of the U.S. or hog crates in California, all of the decisions have a ripple impact wherever you may live. 

The word “sustainability” is used a lot these days. Some companies are even willing to pay you for using certain sustainable practices. This sometimes causes confusion in farm country as we try to keep up with changing terms, new programs and the demands of the global food system. On this episode we sort out some of the key drivers to watch both domestically and globally that will impact how and what U.S. farmers grow. 

The cattle market is making all-time highs right now and some analysts believe it still has plenty of room to move higher. What’s driving the market? How long might it continue? Are the key drivers of the market changing? 

Make a list of progressive farming practices and there will be plenty of people that will tell you why it won’t work where they live. In some cases, they may be correct, but Tom Cotter’s farm proves many of those notions wrong. He grows multiple crops using several different farming methods, becoming a place that many come to learn how they can accomplish the same thing where they farm. 

Many of us listening to this show live in smaller towns or rural areas. Perhaps you’re like me and wonder how you could or if you should attract a new generation, or perhaps any generation back to the area you live? Do you have the business opportunities, amenities and quality of life that others desire, or for that matter, to keep you and your family happy? It’s a big challenge and I’ll take you to one small town that others use as an example of what to do and how to do it. 

Freedom. It’s a word associated with Independence Day. This week I have a special guest that will talk about all kinds of freedom, for better or worse. There is the fight for freedom, the soldiers who go to war to preserve the rights of freedom. There is also the freedom of choice that can sometimes lead us down paths that cause serious consequences. Jack has been on both paths and what he shares can impact us all for the better. 

There are two common challenges farmers often face – they want to farm more acres but can’t afford to do so and they can’t find a way to increase the profits on the acres they already farm. My guest this week found out he could greatly increase profits on a relatively small number of acres and it’s a model that can work for many of us. 

Should you take risks in business? It probably depends on your definition of “risk.”  My guest this week is labeled as “risky” by many ag lenders. In fact, financing is one of his challenges. But is he really that risky, or just successful in unconventional ways compared to other farmers. We learn the keys to becoming a successful, risky farmer. 

Whether you are the boss, an employee or both, we all must deal with people.  How you deal with people can have a huge impact on the profitability and productivity of your operation. No matter if you’re a workforce of one or one thousand, here are some tips to make the most of the situation.

We like to think of rural areas and farm country as safe place to live. That may be the case, but it is still a location where crime can take place, and in some cases, the types of crime are unique to that area. We take a look at how a criminal might view your farm and home. What is it they see that you don’t and how can you help prevent becoming a target. 

Higher input and commodity prices, rising interest rates and inflation may make it more difficult to evaluate when we should make a deal, or stand firm with our current situation. Shay Foulk helps us look at key factors when it comes to big ticket purchases and we explore alternatives that may be a better fit. Plus I’ll have a special Memorial Day interview you won’t want to miss.