Videos

EQUIP TV

• Agritechnica 2011, Hanover

  Scott Garvey, Grainews machinery editor, travels to Hanover Germany to visit Agritechnica, the world's largest farm machinery show.

• In the field with new vertical and minimum-tillage implements

  Here's a chance to see how some vertical and minimum-tillage implements perform in the field and hear what manufacturer and dealer reps have to say about them. Also Todd Botterill, a tillage equipment dealer, offers his advice on how to select the right one for your farming needs.

• Grainews was on hand when Bourgault officially launched its new 3320 drill and 7950 air seeder cart

  Mark Cresswell, R&D and marketing leader at Bourgault, discusses the new seeding equipment the company introduced to dealers just before this year's Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina.

• Grainews editors test drive the new Chevy Silverado 2500HD

  Grainews editor Lyndsey Smith and machinery editor Scott Garvey take a look at the features and performance of a Chevy Silverado 2500HD pickup equipped with a Duramax diesel engine and Allison automatic transmission.

• The Cross Slot seed drill is put to work

  New Zealand-based Baker No-Tillage gave farmers a chance to see its seed drill, which has been updated to meet the demands of North American farmers, perform under various field conditions during an on-farm demo in North Dakota.

• Combine adjustment tips

  Les Hill, a combine performance expert from the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, discusses how farmers can get the most out their combines this season.

• Seed Hawk's customer training day

  Scott Garvey, Grainews machinery editor, visits the Seed Hawk factory to participate in a customer training event and finds out why the company offers this after-sale support for buyers.

Dealing with Transition

Starting a successful farm career is hard. Ending a successful farm career can be even harder. In this video series first prepared for AgVision TV, host Kevin Stewart talks to farm family coach Elaine Froese (www.elainefroese.com) about the ways to maintain healthy family relationships while transferring the farm to the next generation.

• Treating children fairly isn't always fair

  There comes a time when a spouse who’s been working off the farm asks the question — How many farms can this family support? The answer may not be easy.

• Making a succession plan

  Recent studies have shown that only about half the farmers who plan to retire in the next few years have a succession plan. Elaine reviews some of the excuses, and how to get beyond them.

• Ten barriers to succession planning

  If we think there's no deadline, we tend to put it off, but if you want the children to take over, the deadline may be looming sooner than you think.

• Dealing with death

  It's inevitable, but too often we fail to plan for it. In this segment, Elaine suggests steps to leave a lasting legacy, and to ease the burden for the farm and the family when a farmer passes away.

• Does your family know what to do when you die?

  It's inevitable — all of us will pass on sometime. Elaine recommends compiling a binder containing everything from financial information to instructions for your funeral.

• The farmhouse conflict

  One of the main sources of conflict in the multi-generational farm is the farmhouse. Elaine talks about how to make the transition if a new generation is moving in.

• Freeloading

  The brother who stayed on the farm is getting free room and board. The sister who left fills up with gas when she comes home on the weekend. Elaine talks about ways to ensure perception and reality of equitable benefits from the family farm.

• Giving up the farmhouse

  The farmhouse is both the heart of the family, and the heart of the farm. Passing it to the next generation can be a difficult process, but there are ways to do it which can work out well for everyone.

• Is Grandma a bully?

  After her parents and/or her husband have passed away, Grandma often ends up owning the farm. If it seems as if she’s taking too much control, it may be because of poor treatment in the past or concern about her future.

• Farmers don’t have to retire

  Changing the management or ownership of a farm need not be viewed as “the first nail in the coffin.” Elaine talks about how to make the transition to something different and enjoyable.

• Gifts don’t have strings attached

  “Here you go, but you can only do this with it.” If there are conditions attached to a gift of money, it’s not a gift, but manipulation. Lending, however, is a different matter.

• The challenges of gifting money

  When times are good, older farmers want to share the wealth with their children. That’s a fine idea, but if there are strings attached, there can be pitfalls.

• Difficult discussions

  Mom and Dad may always say they want the kids to take over, but there comes a time when they actually have to start letting go. Elaine suggests ways to start that difficult discussion.

• Decision making and emotions

  The red one or the green one? The business side of farming requires a cost-benefit, but farmers need to admit that emotions are also a factor, and now how to manage them.

• The importance of wills

  Many of today’s farms are large, sound and well- managed businesses, but surprisingly many lack proper arrangements in the event of a death of a shareholder. Elaine discusses the importance of both wills and powers of attorney.

• Where is the Stash of Cash?

  “We’ll feed the farm first.” The farm is important, but sometimes it turns into the monster that eats all the cash. Elaine Froese talks about how farmers are important too.

• Getting Away

  Studies show that rest and getting away from the business can help productivity. That should include the farming business.

• Stinking Thinking

  Making assumptions about other members of the extended farm family can lead to problems. Elaine talks about how to open helpful dialogue.

• Stubborn Farmers

  How to get around the “my way or the highway” attitude that leads to family conflicts and delays the planning needed for the farm’s future.

• Auditing the farm family

  An audit isn't necessarily something to fear. Farm family coach Elaine Froese has developed a tool for each family member to define what they want from their farming operation.

• Valuing the farming child

  Not every child wants to stay at home to operate the farm. Some move away to new locations and new careers. How do you fairly allocate the value for each child in a succession plan?

• The monster that is the farm

  “We’ll feed the farm first.” The farm is important, but sometimes it turns into the monster that eats all the cash. Elaine Froese talks about how farmers are important too.

• The daughter-in-law barrier

  It’s been called the “land mine issue.” Introducing that new person to both the family and the business does not always go smoothly.