AgriVision Episode 23 – At a Crossroads

Host Katie Wantoch and Jim Versweyveld, Agriculture Extension educator in Walworth County, discuss viability of a dairy farm and future retirement options for a farm couple.

There’s Opportunity in Those “Close Calls” on your Farm

Farms are busy workplaces with the potential for injury lurking around every bend. A proactive tool to guard against future mishap, and an important part of improving your overall farm safety culture, is “near miss” reporting.

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.

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.

How to avoid the risks of heat stress

Each summer, dairy farm producers and their employees work through days of extreme heat and humidity – often starting in May or June and continuing into September. While we certainly need to protect our dairy cattle during these hot days, it is also an important time to be conscious of how to protect ourselves and our dairy farm workers during summer heat.

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.

Motivate Your Farm’s Team with Total Compensation

A discussion with each employee while reviewing their total compensation statement can increase engagement and retention, as well as improve the quality of your new hires.

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.