Charting your expenses by line items over the past three to five years can clarify your cash flow requirements.

‘Cash is king:’ what does that really mean?

Among other meanings, it refers to the strength of your business' cash flow

We’ve all the heard the expression “Cash is king.” It’s a catchy phrase, but what does it really mean and how can we practically apply that concept on farms today? I submit what “cash is king” really means is to have money available to pay ongoing farm expenses such as crop inputs, wages, loan payments […] Read more

Agco’s new FarmerCore program aims to help dealers identify how best to enhance and expand their services across their sales territories.

Agco introduces FarmerCore dealer program

A retail-level development initiative aims to improve the company's overall service to farmers

When it comes time to buy equipment, the quality of the local dealer, or lack of one, has typically played a big part in many producers’ decisions. A good local dealer is a big advantage for farmers and helps drive sales. It’s a factor of which major brands are well aware. Since its inception in […] Read more


Farm equipment built for sale into markets outside of North America will not likely conform to engineering standards here. Importing these machines may cost producers much more than they expected over the long term.

Shop in ‘grey market’ at your own risk

Importing machines built for sale outside North America not advisable, Farmers’ Advocate says

Several years ago, my neighbour sold his farm to a Dutch farmer who wanted to move his operation to Canada. That immigrating farmer brought much of his European equipment with him when he arrived. It was a kind of novelty to see an unfamiliar tractor design working in a Canadian field. However, despite the fact […] Read more

The process of farmer consultation on new equipment starts long before any metal is welded together.

Understanding farmers’ equipment needs

As the pace picks up on advancements in technology, consulting customers for their feedback becomes more important

A few years ago, I was invited to attend an R&D facility to test-drive a prototype version of an MFWD tractor with a CVT transmission — then I was asked to give my impressions of what I liked or didn’t like. It was interesting to participate in the early evaluation of a new tractor. Prototype […] Read more


Many future farmers are headed toward a “perfect storm” that may make difficult-but- necessary conversations both more difficult and more necessary.

Tips to navigate transition storms

The cash flow needed to acquire land can fall outside of long-term profitability

Last month, in the U.S., we heard Steven Bohr of Next Generation Ag Advocates encourage young farmers with tools for transition. The average price per acre in Iowa, as of last Nov. 1, is estimated at US$11,835, and 34 per cent of the land has owners over 75 years of age. Sixty per cent of […] Read more

Regardless of the size of a farm operation, advancing one’s leadership skills can pay dividends.

Is my kid a leader?

Mediocre leadership can strain family and employee relationships — and one's own health

It’s actually two questions. It isn’t just how much leadership potential have my kids got? It’s also, how much better will they get if I provide the right training and support? And the reason parents need to ask both questions is because science is learning an immense amount about what leadership potential looks like. “Leadership […] Read more


The younger generation on the farm needs to know whether there is ever going to be an opportunity for them to assume leadership of the operation.

Do the kids really want to take the lead on the farm?

The next generation, and the parents, both have to be clear on how they can prove it

An intergenerational farm transition is never easy. There are tough conversations, there are disagreements, and, always, there is compromise. The kids who want to take over the farm worry about when, if ever, that’s going to happen. They want to know how they are going to get there and what their parents are going to […] Read more

A farm’s founders and successors alike need clarity of expectations.

Write the first draft now for your next chapter

You no longer have the luxury of avoiding hard conversations

Imagine how wonderful life would be on your farm if you did not have to guess what other folks on your farm team really want for their lives, and for the farm business? I had the great joy of speaking to 540 young Iowa farmers last month. Many of them are stuck in getting equity […] Read more


An artist's rendition of a Landsat satellite in Earth orbit.

Checking crops from orbit may be underused option

The available satellite imagery of our crops may be an underused tool for field analysis

Glacier FarmMedia — Last fall on her farm near Holland, Man., Anastasia Kubinec was struggling with a decision about a canola field. In one part of the of the field, it seemed like the crop was ready to combine. But other areas were possibly too wet and too green. One option was going in with […] Read more

More parts and components are now being stocked on site, as a lack of products caused major disruptions during the pandemic.

Supply chain chaos eases at parts counter

Shortages are now fewer on many, but not all, components

Glacier FarmMedia — Manufacturers of ag equipment and some agricultural dealers in Canada have changed their practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now stocking more parts and components on site because a lack of products caused major disruptions during the pandemic. “I know it can be a challenge for producers, dealers and manufacturers […] Read more