Articles

Risk and Building Better Business Resiliency

Risk and farming are two sides of the same coin. Like many industries, the farm business lives with and deals with risk daily. Further, the number of risks and their costs are increasing. These increases make the management of risk a vital component for successful long-term profitability. Risk is the probability that some event will cause exposure to […]

Partial Budgeting

Whether on the tractor, in the barn, or at the farm office, farm managers are always mulling over some change to their operation that might improve profitability. It might be employing a new technology, launching a new enterprise, buying or leasing machinery, altering a production practice, or some other possible change. Occasionally, one of those ideas […]

Balance Sheet – Focus on Inventory

As people who live in rural areas, we are all use to the potholes that jar our vehicles and rattle our teeth. Likewise, the financial statements that measure the position and performance of our dairy businesses have potholes too that are sometimes difficult to navigate.

Balance Sheet Structure Details

The Balance Sheet is a financial statement that measures the financial position of the business at a point in time.

Cash and Accrual Income Statement

The income statement is one of the four primary farm business financial statements. Its purpose is to measure profits and financial performance of the farm business.

Navigating Lease Agreements for Small Acreage, High Value Crops

Jump to video resource The hardest part about lease negotiations is starting one. There may be lots of questions that both the landowner and farmer have as they navigate through the conversation. According to the Farm Commons article called “A checklist of questions to address in your farmland lease” the best lease between farmer and […]

Many Wisconsin dairy farmers borrow from nontraditional lenders

Historically, Wisconsin dairy farmers have sought and received credit from traditional lenders with local branches such as Farm Credit Associations, Agricultural Credit Associations, commercial banks, or credit unions. Increasingly, however, farmers are turning to alternative sources for their borrowing needs.

Fixed and Flexible Cash Rental Arrangements for Your Farm – AgLease 101 publication brief summary

Jump to video resource This provides a summary of what is covered in the full-text publication, “Fixed and Flexible Cash Rental Arrangements for Your Farm” located in the AgLease 101 document library aglease101.org – a publication to help operators and landowners develop equitable cash-rent arrangements and assist them in making sound decisions based on an […]

Pasture Rental Arrangement for Your Farm – AgLease 101 publication brief summary

Jump to video resource This provides a summary of what is covered in the full-text publication, “Pasture Rental Arrangement for Your Farm” located in the AgLease 101 document library Aglease101.org – a publication to help operators and landowners develop equitable rental arrangements and assist them in making sound decisions based on an equitable evaluation of […]

Rental Agreements for Farm Buildings and Livestock Facilities – AgLease 101 publication brief summary

Jump to video resource This provides a summary of what is covered in the full-text publication, “Rental Agreements for Farm Buildings and Livestock Facilities” located in the AgLease 101 document library Aglease101.org – a publication to help operators and landowners develop equitable rental arrangements and assist them in making sound decisions based on an equitable […]

Crop Share Rental Arrangements for your Farm – AgLease 101 publication brief summary

This provides a summary of what is covered in the full-text publication, “Crop Share Rental Arrangements for Your Farm” located in the AgLease 101 document library aglease101.org – a publication to help operators and landowners develop equitable rental arrangements and assist them in making sound decisions based on an equitable evaluation of resources. Crop-share arrangements […]

What Motivates You to Succeed – Defining Your Values

Business values influence the farm’s goals and priorities. It is important to be able to recognize differences in the values of owners, stakeholders, managers, and other key personnel and have a process through which each is willing to compromise if necessary, to arrive at mutually acceptable goals and decisions.

What is strategic thinking and how can you use the strategic planning process to craft your farm’s future?

Strategic thinking is the intuitive, visual, and creative process you use to make decisions about your farm business. Strategic thinking is all about thinking ahead, anticipating what your competition is going to do, and then taking risks to succeed.

Creating Your $50/cwt Mona Lisa ~ Diversifying your farm business enterprise

If you are enticed by the potential of a value-added enterprise, then three potential steps to start with tomorrow after breakfast. One, find the stick and hit yourself over the head until you are ready to do your homework. Two, take time to learn more about value-added agriculture enterprises. Three, don’t go it alone. In every state there are people and organizations that stand ready to assist.

Wisconsin Agricultural Land Prices 2021

This report provides a statewide overview of agricultural land values across Wisconsin based on a statistical analysis of actual sales and now includes the weighted average price of agricultural land sold in Wisconsin.

Control of Farm Management Decisions

When working through developing a plan to transfer management decisions it is important to realize that management decisions should be transferred incrementally. Having a framework of when management decisions will be transferred will give both the owner and the successor generations peace of mind.