A couple we’ll call George and Mary have farmed in south-central Manitoba for the last 35 years on a third-generation family farm. Each is 60 years old. Their dilemma is generational transfer. Their issue is the fundamental low level of profitability that could, if not handled properly, cause the farm owner to lose their ability to […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Farm transfer could lead to “hobby farm” status
Passing on an unprofitable farm can raise tax challenges for the next generation
Farm Financial Planner: Estate planning for the very long term
This tree farmer’s crop will take decades to mature, but tax planning is still key
David, a name we’re giving to a tree farmer in eastern Ontario, is 83. His wife passed away some years back. He converted a 47-acre former hay and horse farm to trees. Now there are 25,000 trees growing, a crop that, given natural mortality, he is unlikely to see mature. The trees are varied, including […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Keeping the farm and keeping afloat
Recently widowed Linda wants to keep the farm together with a viable tax plan
In north-central Manitoba, Linda is 75, recently widowed and wondering what to do with the family farm. She has 880 acres rented out for $1,500 per month for grain and pasture. Two sons in their 40s have off-farm jobs, but even if they wanted to go home and farm, there isn’t enough land for a […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Keeping that farming door open
There are still succession strategies when adult children aren’t sure if they want the farm
In central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Harry, 58, and Linda, 56, have run a 2,240-acre grain and oilseeds operation for 35 years. Their farm income has been supplemented by Linda’s consulting practice with a large company. They have two adult children in their 30s who are not likely to carry on the family farm, […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Farm succession through intergenerational money lending
Lending cash to the kids: A “family bank” can transfer assets to the next generation
A couple we’ll call Bob and Tess, both 59, have farmed in central Manitoba for four decades. Their farm has 3,000 acres, mostly in grain. Bob’s health has declined, and he feels he cannot carry on much longer. Their son, Fred, is 24. He hasn’t been farming, but he would like to supplement his income […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Transferring farmland, minimizing taxes
With good advice, land can be transferred to the next generation with minimal taxes
In Alberta, a couple we’ll call Henry, 63, and Maryann, 57, are third-generation farmers. They have 1,900 acres and a herd of 40 beef cows, far less than the 300 cows they had before the BSE crisis two decades ago. With too much land for their smaller herd, they rented land to neighbours and Henry […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Selling to get out from under debt
With no farming children and little income flowing in from the farm, it’s time to sell
A couple we’ll call Harry, 74, and Anne, 72, have been farming in central Manitoba for four decades and would like to retire. They have 1,600 acres — 600 for grain and the remainder for pasture and hay. Their children, two sons and two daughters, have careers away from the family farm. The problem: pay […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Sell the farm or lease the land?
Sell the place and keep the cash, or hold on to your family legacy?
In south-central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Perry, 50, and Lucy, 45, are feeling pressure to operate the family grain farm. Perry’s parents recently passed away and the 480-acre farm is Perry and Lucy’s. If they go back to the farm from their off-farm careers, they will give up a combined annual off-farm income totaling […] Read more
No farm profits mean a change of plan is needed
This family’s generational ownership shift plan doesn’t work without farm profits
A family we’ll call the Browns has farmed in southern Manitoba for four decades. Over the first 30 years, they grew their farm to 2,000 acres of pasture and grain. Today, Jack Brown is 67 and Molly, his wife, is 66. Their son, Max, and his wife Chloe have three children under 10. Farm income […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: What to do with farm equity?
With no children and no debt, farming couple needs a wealth transition plan
A couple we’ll call Mark and Susan, both 59, have been farming in south-central Manitoba for three decades. They have had off-farm work too, both in a machine shop Mark owns where Susan does administrative work as an employee. The farm, 1,440 acres valued at $3.45 million, and the off-farm business, organized as a corporation, […] Read more
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