By Glen Moeller, Retired Farmer & Iowa Landowner Recently, I came across a letter I wrote in April 1997 to the chairman of the Iowa Corn Growers recommending that we as an Association should support the expansion of the hog industry in Iowa. The consolidation that has occurred since 1997 has given the livestock industry […]
30
Apr
Apr
By Mike Downey, Land, Lease & Farm Succession Consultant In the article, “Inheritance is a gift, not a right”, we quoted a retiring farmer saying “We are land rich but dirt poor.” This was his assessment after review of he and his wife’s estate after 50 years of farming and building a respectable land base. […]
17
Apr
Apr
By Mike Downey, Land, Lease & Farm Succession Consultant A common question we receive from young and beginning farmers is how can they position themselves for renting and purchasing land. Often times they are focused on the unthinkable task of bidding against their neighbors the next time a farm comes up for sale or rent […]
05
Apr
Apr
Thank you to WMT and iHeart Radio for asking us to be a contributor to their Ask the Expert call in show. Here is a short clip from the 30 minute segment. We look forward to contributing in future programs in the upcoming year.
05
Apr
Apr
By Mike Downey, Land, Lease & Farm Succession Consultant In nearly 20 years of helping farmers and landowners, the number one question I’ve observed as it relates to cover crops is: Who Pay’s For It? There are many articles and publications from the industry that explain the long term benefits of cover crops, their payback, […]
19
Mar
Mar
Original Article Link: https://www.agupdate.com/iowafarmertoday/opinion/columnists/farm_transition/perfect-storm-looms-in-agriculture-again/article_414a12f2-45bc-11e9-8af9-8bb9191d4209.html In 1992, I had the good fortune to meet my business mentor at my very first college interview. He told me that 10 years in the future, I would be the same person that I was that day with the exception of the books I would read and the people I would […]
11
Feb
Feb
By Steve Bohr & Mike Downey, Next Generation Ag Advocates Many of us have stories and memories of our Dad or Grandpa’s Farmall M they began their farming careers with which are now their old Farmall M’s. Our grandfathers’ generation had an opportunity that many of us may never – the ability to start and […]
31
Dec
Dec
By Mike Downey, Certified Farm Succession Consultant I was recently handed a note written by Mom she wishes to have her children read one day. She opened her letter with these three statements: Inheritance is a gift, not a right It is our wish to treat all of our children fairly, but not necessarily equally […]
03
Dec
Dec
We would like to thank the Iowa Farmer Today for asking us to contribute to this story about flexible cash rent lease arrangements. Our leasing program that is mentioned in this article is quite simple. It is a flat fee of $10 per acre that can be paid by the landowner, the producer, or this […]
13
Sep
Sep
Article by Betsy Freese from Successful Farming The corn crop around Lisbon, Iowa, this morning is on pace for record yields, but the four men gathered for a discussion are not throwing a party. Markets are down and agriculture is five years into a financial tailspin. Helping farmers transition to the next generation is on […]