Understanding how multi-generation farms approach big-picture topics can help farm management teams (i.e. family members) better navigate difficult conversations on the future of the farm. In this second part of a discussion with Justin Funk, managing partner of AgriStudies, podcast host Shaun Haney explores how differences in how generations set goals, measure progress, use technology,... Read More

When different generations work together in the farm business, conflict can arise over responsibility, ownership, succession, and day-to-day operations of the farm. Justin Funk, managing partner of AgriStudies, has done extensive research on what makes intergenerational farms unique in how they operate. In this Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Funk shares how differences in doing... Read More

Biologically speaking, some stress is good for the body. Stress responses are necessary at times to act quickly, to run, or to see a project through. That said, too much stress or being under stress for too long can lead to both mental and physical hardship. Farmers, as a group, are 68 per cent more... Read More

What a particular cost or investment adds to the business should be easy to assess and measure, but in reality calculating return on investment (ROI) can be inconsistent and difficult. As David Widmar, of Agriculture Economic Insights explains, ROI should be a simple calculation, but it's not a perfect measure of performance as there are... Read More

If your farm is not one that holds regular meetings, this is your encouragement to start small... but start. That's because research shows that business that hold regular meetings are more profitable than those that do not. We're not talking about a morning tailgate chat on what's ahead — that's an operational meeting to start... Read More

The rules of order around a boardroom table may seem unimportant to a discussion on farm management, but the more complex a farm becomes, the more important good governance becomes. Brian Hayward, long-time agriculture business leader and now author of The Great Chair: A Window on Effective Board Leadership, says that as soon as a... Read More

Professional development isn't just for those in corporate agriculture and it's not just for those looking at taking on a new role, either. Vik Kail, human resources leader for Corteva Agriscience, says that there's a place for professional development, both formally and informally, for all levels of employees, including owners and managers. Kail looks at... Read More

Farming with family can be rewarding, and also stressful. Transitioning a farm's ownership from one generation to the next can be emotionally-charged and high stress, but would it be easier or any different if you were selling the business to a non-family member? Dick Wittman of Wittman Consulting says that many farmers may feel as... Read More

In leadership, aggressive behaviour can actually be less harmful to business than passivity. In other words, being unwilling to discuss a problem is actually more detrimental that having an argument about it. But just knowing that doesn't make dealing with conflict any easier says Kelly Dobson, chief leadership officer at LeaderShift. In this Mind Your... Read More

Branding a farm is a concept that is maybe in its infancy for some farm owners. We all know the power of branding, and there are certain companies out there that all of us can think of, but what about your farm? There are farms that have retail or direct consumer models that if branded... Read More