Articles
Farm Management Articles
Research-based information and tools to help with your farm business management decisions
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The Business Case for Safety on the Farm
Farms are Risk Filled Working on a farm is inherently risky—whether you are a family member on a small operation operating equipment or caring for animals—or a hired employee on a bigger operation performing more specialized jobs. Data from the National Safety Council and the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics documents a per capita death […]
Building a Positive Farm Business Culture: Characteristics of Latin/Hispanic dairy workers
The place we are born can impact our culture—our behavior and how we view the world. People who come from different countries have different cultures; the more we interact with people from different countries the more we learn about our cultural differences and similarities. Understanding and valuing cultural differences is important to improving farm business culture.
AgriVision Podcast Episode 8 – Expanding milking herd
Host Katie Wantoch and Heather Schlesser, agriculture educator from Marathon County, discuss whether a dairy farmer and his son should purchase bred heifers or cows to expand their dairy herd.
AgriVision Podcast Episode 6 – Know your cost of production before renting more land
Host Katie Wantoch and Simon Jette Nantel, Professor at UW-River Falls and Extension Farm Management Specialist, discuss if a farmer should offer a lower rental rate per acre to the neighbor who is retiring from farming.
How to Read and Understand Your Milk Check
Are you confused about what is printed on your milk check and what all the components are? Are you having difficulty reading your statement and knowing if the payments, particularly the premiums paid, are on par with what other producers are receiving. Learn where the numbers on your milk check come from and what they mean to your operation.
What is the biggest threat to a farm estate getting to the rightful heirs? It’s probably not what you think
A common misconception in farm estate and succession planning is that federal estate taxes are among the biggest threats to getting the farm assets to the rightful heirs. However, we propose that the biggest threat to a farm estate getting to the rightful heirs is the owner generation’s lack of succession planning and not federal estate taxes.
AgriVision Podcast Episode 2 – Selling Heifers
Host Katie Wantoch and Mark Hagedorn, retired Extension Dairy Program Manager, discuss a farmer who wants to know if they should sell pregnant dairy cattle heifers now or wait to sell these animals until after the cow has had her calf.
Tax Preparation Issues and Concerns
As we all know, the month of January often brings thoughts of taxes and tax preparation. Gary will focus on issues specific to farm tax returns so those listening may gain a better understanding of what to think about regarding farm tax preparation and be able to ask better questions with their tax advisor.
Power of One
A new year always elicits new resolutions, goals and plans for how to better our business, family and self. However, a quick google search shows that only 8% of Americans keep their resolutions throughout the year and 80% have failed by February. How can we become an 8-percenter in the new year?
Putting the ‘Me’ in Merry: Self Care Tips for the Holiday Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t always feel that way. Learn some quick self-care tips to take care of both your mind and body during the holidays.
The Art of Negotiating for your Farm Business
Negotiating is important for the success of any business, but it is especially critical during lean times. It may seem like common sense, but many times people let their emotions get the best of them and ignore their basic instincts. It takes homework, discipline, and street smarts to successfully make a deal.
Transferring farm management for a successful farm succession
During the farm succession process it is common for the owner generation and the successor generation to discuss a transfer of assets. However, a conversation about the transfer of management – which is important to the success of the farm succession – is often overlooked.
Monthly and Annual Spending Plan
The monthly and annual spending plan worksheets located in the Cultivating your Farm’s Future workbook can be used to attribute expenses to the household and farm. In a farm succession, these worksheets can be used by both the owner and successor generation.
Monthly and Annual Spending Plan
The monthly and annual spending plan worksheets located in the Cultivating your Farm’s Future workbook can be used to attribute expenses to the household and farm. In a farm succession, these worksheets can be used by both the owner and successor generation.
Farm Stress & Decision-Making During Challenging Times
Stress is a double-edged sword. A little stress can serve as a constructive motivator, galvanizing us to action. Too much stress, on the other hand, can damage our health compromise safety and sabotage personal relationships. With the arduous and sometimes volatile conditions we see in agriculture, the risk of too much stress is alarming.
Does Your Farm’s Culture Reflect Who You Want to Be as An Employer?
Sound employment practices geared toward attracting, training, retaining, and rewarding employees must reflect a clear understanding of employee views and experiences. The farm culture represents “the way things get done around here,” and it can be positive or present a challenge for employees. The culture on a farm may not be obvious or visible, but it is there.