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.
Tractor buyer be wary: sourcing used equipment online
Prospective farm equipment buyers today have several sources for finding the right machine for their operation. UW-Madison Extension offers tips for searching online for farm equipment.
Tractor buyer be wary: sourcing used equipment the old fashioned way
Once you’ve decided to buy a piece of farm equipment, your next challenge is sourcing it. UW-Madison Extension provides tips on finding equipment off-line.
Plan for maintenance to avoid costly repairs with tractor ownership
Successful farm tractor ownership requires a plan for scheduled maintenance and repairs as needed. This is especially true when purchasing a used farm tractor. UW-Madison Extension provides tips on keeping a tractor in good working condition.
Consider safety before you purchase a used tractor or farm machine
If you are considering a purchase of a used farm tractor or other machine, even if you are not using it to do traditional farm work, safety must be a prime consideration. UW-Madison Extension provides some critical priority checkpoints to protect the personal safety of yourself, family members, workers and others who might be using the equipment that you purchase.
Farm machinery pre-purchase considerations: needs and economics
Once you have a list of tasks and implements needed to perform those tasks, do some research on the minimum horsepower required to power those implements. UW-Madison Extension provides guidance on choosing a tractor to fit your needs.
Tractor pre-purchase considerations: know your needs
Knowing what jobs tractors are and are not intended for can help you decide if one is necessary for your operation. UW-Madison Extension provides a list of considerations when thinking about purchasing a tractor.
Used tractors and machinery make work easier on farms and large properties
When you’re in the market to buy a used tractor or other piece of equipment, you’ll likely notice the differences in features between older and newer models as you look through sale listings. The good news is that despite all of these changes and the evolution of mechanized technology used in agriculture, tractors and other types of farm equipment are generally built to last. Older farm equipment that is well-maintained can be fully functional though it may lack more modern and important safety, comfort, or technology features.
Getting expert advice when starting a farm business
There comes a time in the process of starting a farm business when you’ll likely benefit from some expert advice. UW-Madison Extension provides tips for where to find advisors who can serve as a sounding board for your ideas.
Using the Business Model Canvas to Refine Your Farm Business Idea
Writing out a complete business plan is a time-consuming feat. Before you spend your time and energy writing a multi-page narrative, explore your ideas with a simple tool – the Lean Canvas. Adapted for use by startups, this simple one-page matrix can be a valuable tool to help farm entrepreneurs test a business idea in the context of nine key areas.
Developing your farm business idea
Do you count yourself among those who dream of being a farmer? Do you have some property and want to do something productive with it, maybe even make money off it? Are you seeking land and working on developing a viable plan for a future farm business? UW-Madison Extension provides tips fir generating viable ideas for a farm-based business
¿Refleja tu cultura quién quieres ser como empleador?
English | Spanish Cómo medir su cultura empresarial en la granja ¿Por qué utilizar una encuesta para empleados para medir la cultura? Las prácticas laborales sólidas orientadas a atraer, capacitar, retener y recompensar a los empleados deben reflejar una comprensión clara de las opiniones y experiencias de los empleados. La cultura agrícola representa “la forma en […]
Developing your Farm Product Brand
Ever wanted to brand and market your farm’s product? Learn how Jenni Gavin, Gavin Farms, Reedsburg, WI, and her husband developed a brand and began to market their beef directly to consumers.
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.
Building a Positive Farm Business Culture: Perceptions of Health and Safety among Latin/Hispanic Dairy Workers
As a result of some of the differences between worker/workplace regulations that impact farms and farm workers and those in other industries, sometimes farm workers (and their employers) are left in an uncertain position that can be confusing and frustrating for all involved. What can farmers do to keep their workers safe and healthy while at work?
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.
