Minding Ag's Business

Over the past month, I've attended a number of agricultural conferences, and one theme connected all of them: savvy financial management is the key to not only making it through this down cycle in agriculture, but making sure your business thrives well into the future.

USDA began mailing safety net payments for the 2017 crop earlier this month, but total ARC and PLC payments are expected to be about half the size of the 2016 payout. Economists caution that payments for the 2018 crop, which farmers are currently busy harvesting, could be...

As harvest plows forward and farmers stuff their bins with soybeans, some are starting to turn their thoughts to what to plant next year. If you're considering increasing corn acres, you may want to start thinking about marketing opportunities now.

But with higher input price forecasts for 2019 and trade disputes casting a cloud over commodity prices, cost cutting is about to get harder as experts encourage farmers to a field-by-field look at their land expenses.

Demand for marketing assistance loans through USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation is the highest in a decade, and experts think even more farmers will turn to them this fall despite out-of-date loan rates and rising interest costs.

Economist have long argued that free trade results in numerous advantages, but after more than 200 years of theory and practical application, economists still haven't convinced consumers it's best policy. A Princeton professor explains why he thinks it's the biggest failing of...

The U.S. moved forward with $34 billion worth of tariffs on Friday, and Beijing responded in kind. We roundup reaction from across the agricultural sector.

A letter landed in farmland owners' mailboxes earlier this month offering quick cash to buy their land. While it bore many signatures of a scam, the man who signed the letter says he's a real estate wholesaler, looking to identify distressed properties that could benefit from a...

If the U.S. follows through with its proposal to implement $50 billion of tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliates, it could damage far more than just agricultural exports. It could create major disruptions in currency markets.

Cotton acres are set to hit 13.5 million acres this year as global demand grows, production falls and wheat prices dry up.

Implement dealer financing is on the rise, and while it raises some concerns about farmers' overall debt load, convenience could be the biggest factor in the sector's growth.

A host of first quarter earnings reports reflect a slow start to planting, while two of the nation's largest grain traders say global dynamics have shifted in their favor.

Kansas farmland values under pressure as profitability problems force farmers to make tough choices.

The farm business beat is open for business. It's never really gone away, but now it's getting full-time attention from a familiar face.

Create a little goodwill with noncash awards for good performance.

Family members may have severed connections, but they can attempt strategies to move forward.

Recent land sales in Iowa and a new Kansas City Federal Reserve bank report show farmland values remain strong despite lower grain prices.

Family members may have severed connections, but they can attempt strategies to move forward.

Having a healthy presence on the internet can help farms of all sizes build relationships and showcase their operations.

Positive outcomes are possible through forgiveness, acceptance and admitting fault.