Latest News From Top Producer

The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

These 10 steps can help keep your employees from walking away.

Prioritizing culture is often overlooked when it comes to employee management and retention.

Mark Faust shares objectives in seven key areas that can intensify your operation's vision, divergence and focus.

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

The Panama Canal is now cutting its daily ship transits by half this winter due to severe drought.

Could agriculture face a Southwest-type meltdown?

Whether you’re 35 or 65, things happen. Don’t risk the future of your farm by putting off your succession plan. Get started, make a plan and put it into action.

Consumer preferences can totter between fads and trends. For farmers to capitalize on consumer demands, they must be able to sort out which market opportunities to pursue, says Rob Dongoski with Ernst & Young.

Matt and Lisa Moreland hoped at least one of their sons would return home to farm after college. What they didn’t anticipate? All three sons wanted to come back. Here are four things the family learned in the process.

This year, more than ever, requires you to spend time with your tax adviser to pin down the right amount of taxable income to report. Good luck.  

You’ve done the hard part. You’ve set up a trust and allocated assets. Now, who will oversee it after you’re gone? Choosing a trustee is a major financial and personal decision.

When you hear of a new record sale of farmland it raises eyebrows — and your farmland’s worth. With this key asset rapidly increasing in value, you need to analyze your estate plan. 

Profitable farmers create financial habits that separate them from others. These habits, consistently applied through the years, add up, and the results are evident.

Sarah Frey started a simple produce delivery route that has evolved into a fresh fruit and vegetable operation that distributes products nationally.

For the sixth time in the past seven months, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

The 2023 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers.

For a fifth straight month, the rural economy has posted signs of trouble. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

You’ve heard the horror stories. The ones about farm families who spend months in court fighting over assets. The result? A destroyed business and fractured family. Why does this situation play out over and over?

To commemorate his 60th trip around the sun, Duane Hansen set a new world record.

During the 2023 Top Producer Summit, Top Producer will recognize remarkable farmers who have taken risks, built thriving businesses and given back to their communities.

For the first time since September 2020, the rural economy is showing signs of weakness.

As the leader of a business, you have two choices. As trends and economics change, you can adapt and capitalize on the opportunities, or you can stay the course and watch your business decline. 

Think about how your farm has grown in size and scope over the past decade. Has your financial reporting followed suit? 

China contains the largest population of any country in the world. All those mouths drive demand across the globe and for your farm’s products.

The global economy is facing numerous headwinds and tailwinds. Many of the forces at play will impact your farm.

Become a master time manager in 2022

Well-organized and protected farm data can pay dividends.

The difference between strategy and serendipity is small when you are prepared.

You would much rather spend your time doing versus sitting and thinking. But, if you aren’t consistently thinking about the future of your farm, who is?

President Joe Biden's tax plan has both good and bad news for farmers, says Paul Neiffer, a CPA and principal with CLA and author of the “Farm CPA” blog.

Is now the time to expand your tech expertise? 

Is your operation poised for financial stability? 

The concept and calculation of return on investment (ROI) is pretty simple. Yet, it is often poorly defined and poorly understood.

It’s time. You need to finally make your farm’s succession plan a priority. As you take a first or second or 20th step in the process, shoot to avoid some common landmines.

Research repeatedly proves employee-referred candidates are three times more likely to be a good match for the job.