Articles
Farm Management Articles
Research-based information and tools to help with your farm business management decisions
Looking for an expert to advise you on your ag and farm questions? We can help with that.
Sweat equity and farming
In farming, sweat equity is a term that is loosely used to define how established farmers use payment of a commodity or capital assets to replace some of the cash wages for employees. Sweat equity is also the term sometimes used to compensate a successor for years of labor and management that helped build the owner generation’s wealth.
What are the Tax Implications of Sweat Equity Arrangements on Wisconsin Farms?
In farming, sweat equity is a term that is loosely used to define the practice of using a commodity or capital asset to replace some of the cash wages for employees. Often times farms do not know how to document sweat equity as a payment for wages.
AgriVision Episode 22 – Buying a chopper
Host Katie Wantoch and Ben Jenkins, Agriculture Extension educator in Green Lake County, discuss a farmer and his son who are considering buying a new chopper and how to cash flow this purchase.
AgriVision Episode 21 – Does it make sense to buy farmland at our age?
Host Katie Wantoch and Simon Jette-Nantel, former Assistant Professor at UW-River Falls and Extension Farm Management Specialist, discuss whether a land purchase is a profitable acquisition compared to other retirement investments for a farm couple.
Tools for Pricing Standing Corn Silage
Tools are available to help corn growers and dairy and livestock producers negotiate a fair price for corn silage.
AgriVision Episode 20 – Building resiliency helps weather ups, downs of markets
Host Katie Wantoch and Kaitlyn Davis, Extension Agriculture Educator in LaCrosse County, discuss if a farmer and his son should prioritize paying down debt this year instead of replacing some equipment.
AgriVision Episode 19 – Short on hay
Host Katie Wantoch and Richard Halopka, Extension crops and soils educator in Clark County, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a farmer purchasing locally grown hay or hay from western states.
AgriVision Episode 18 – It’s time to have a long talk with Dad
Host Katie Wantoch and Jim Versweyveld, Agriculture Extension educator in Walworth County, discuss a female farmer who needs to have a conversation with her dad about her future and their family farm.
Seasonal Grain Price Patterns
A grain marketing plan works with a farm’s production plan to identify a farmer’s specific price objectives as the production and/or storage season progresses. The marketing plan also identifies strategies available to achieve these specific price objectives.
AgriVision Episode 17 – There are pluses to buying forages
Host Katie Wantoch and Richard Halopka, Extension crops and soils educator in Clark County, discuss buying forages and calculating feed inventory for future needs.
Dinner Conversations
Now more than ever, it is important to focus on eating together as a family. Research has shown us how important family meals are and there are significant studies that reinforce the benefits of mealtimes together. Discover ideas for starting dinner conversations that nourish the spirit, brain, and health of everyone at the table.
Traditions – Today and Tomorrow
“Traditions are the cement that keeps families together and helps you withstand the storms that come”. Traditions can build a strong base of resiliency as we emerge from Covid-19. Explore which traditions are worth keeping and which ones you might start in the future.
AgriVision Episode 16 – Timing farming retirement
Host Katie Wantoch and Lyssa Seefeldt, Extension Dairy and Livestock Educator in Eau Claire County, discuss a farmer and his wife who are looking for advice on next steps for their dairy farm and timing the sale of their cows.
Weber’s Farms – Six Generations of Resiliency
Weber Farms, a 6th generation Wisconsin Century Farm is located in Marshfield, WI and since 1904 it has been delivering the finest, freshest dairy products from their Holstein cows for six decades.
Repairs and Improvements on a Rented Farm or Land
The landlord and tenant need to discuss improvements and repairs of the property before the lease begins. There is no right answer as to who should pay for what. A written lease detailing the responsibility of each party and agreeing to these items ahead of time will make the landlord-tenant relationship less troublesome.
What you should know about farm leases
Leases play an important role for over 22,600 farms in the state. Yet many farm landlords and tenants are unfamiliar with the components of a lease and the landlord/tenant relationship.
