If you farm through an LLC or an S corporation, the old rule that capped your whole operation at a single payment limit is gone. Starting with the 2026 program year, those entities get a payment limit for each owner who is actively engaged in the farm — the same treatment general partnerships have always… Read more »

For decades, the “base acre” has been the fundamental unit of the American farm safety net. It represents a farm’s historical production footprint, dictating how much support a producer receives when market prices drop or yields fail. However, for years, many farmers felt boxed in by outdated acreage records and payment caps that simply didn’t… Read more »

10 Practical Tips For Farm Transition Management Walk into almost any farm kitchen, sit in on a lender’s annual review, or attend a commodity meeting, and one topic is quietly looming in the background. That topic, estate and transition management, consistently ranks among the top three challenges facing the agriculture industry, both domestically and globally.… Read more »

Financials That Work for You While on the speaking circuit this year, I overheard a conversation between two producers about their financial statements. One suggested that financials had to be organized and developed to please the banker. The other producer directed a question at him: Do you use the financials to manage your business? The… Read more »

Beyond the Harvest: Preparing for 2026 The days are getting shorter and many are wrapping up harvest and preparing for the unpredictable elements of old man winter in the home stretch of 2025. Top of mind for many who are in the planning stages is what lies ahead for 2026. Will the economic uncertainty persist?… Read more »

Modern dairy farming stands at a crossroads, with technology offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, animal welfare, and profitability. Among these advancements, dairy robotics, particularly robotic milking systems (RMS), are reshaping the industry’s landscape. The promise of increased productivity, reduced labor dependency, and enhanced herd management is compelling, driving many producers to consider this significant investment.… Read more »