Episodes

  • A Will Does Not Make a Transition Plan

    A Will Does Not Make a Transition Plan
    Oct 9 2025
    Lisa Quist from Nationwide explains the critical difference between estate planning and transition planning for agricultural operations. Through a detailed case study of Bill and Sue's farm, Lisa reveals how typical "I love you" wills can unintentionally destroy family farms by dividing every acre into equal shares among all children, regardless of who's actually farming. Learn why beneficiary designations trump wills, how joint account ownership can override estate plans, and why old contracts can derail inheritance intentions. Lisa explains that while only an estimated one-third of farms have transition plans, the real number with complete plans may be closer to ten percent due to confusion between estate and transition planning. The episode covers the six essential components of comprehensive transition planning: succession planning, business structure evaluation, risk management, financial independence, mentorship and knowledge transfer, and estate document creation. Lisa emphasizes the importance of communication with all heirs about plans, assembling the right professional team including attorneys and CPAs who understand agriculture, and treating transition documents as living plans that require regular review.
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    34 mins
  • Midwest Farm Real Estate: Market Trends and Sector Analysis

    Midwest Farm Real Estate: Market Trends and Sector Analysis
    Sep 25 2025
    Regional Appraisal Manager Jade Kruschke breaks down Compeer Financial's latest benchmark data revealing surprising stability in Midwest farm real estate despite declining commodity prices. Using comprehensive analysis of thousands of farm sales across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, Jade explains why land values continue modest appreciation even as market activity contracts significantly from previous years. Learn how recreational land is dramatically outperforming cropland with shorter marketing times, why capitalization rates keep falling as investors accept lower returns for farmland stability, and what's driving Wisconsin's stronger performance compared to neighboring states. The episode explores sector-specific insights across swine, poultry, and dairy operations, revealing how beef-on-dairy programs are reshaping producer profits while facility transactions remain limited. Jade also examines development pressures near metro areas and explains why cash rents have remained surprisingly stable despite rising land values.
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    39 mins
  • AI in Agriculture

    AI in Agriculture
    Sep 19 2025
    Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts opens with a fresh macroeconomic update on the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut decision, driven by weakening job growth despite persistent inflation concerns, before diving into artificial intelligence applications with Jennifer Coleman from The Directions Group. Jennifer breaks down the different types of AI and showcases cutting-edge tools for agronomy, livestock management, and real-time field monitoring currently being used on farms worldwide. She also addresses AI's limitations, including its inability to access unpublished data, make ethical decisions, or replace human intuition and relationship-building skills. The discussion covers implementation barriers including economic costs, cultural resistance, technological challenges, and quality concerns, while emphasizing why core farming skills like contextual decision-making and hands-on precision work remain irreplaceable.
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    34 mins
  • Dairy Market Update: Supply Pressures, Beef Revenue, and Protein Demand Trends

    Dairy Market Update: Supply Pressures, Beef Revenue, and Protein Demand Trends
    Sep 18 2025
    Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts hosts Sara Dorland from Ceres and Compeer's Jim Moriarty to dive into the dairy industry's current challenges as milk supply recovery across the US, New Zealand, China, and Europe creates temporary oversupply pressures. With Class III milk prices dropping and futures pointing even lower for early next year, the experts explain how beef-on-dairy programs are providing crucial revenue support to farm profitability. Learn about the dramatic shift in consumer demand from butterfat to protein products, driving explosive growth in cottage cheese, high-protein milks, and cultured products that processors can barely keep on shelves. The episode explores how low feed costs are helping maintain farm margins despite lower milk prices, why base plans may return to manage production growth, and what's driving massive new dairy processing investments. The group also discusses construction cost challenges limiting farm expansion, the potential impact of Fed rate cuts on investment decisions, and fertilizer supply concerns heading into next year.
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    29 mins
  • September Squeeze: Farm Bill Uncertainty, Plunging Corn Prices, and Fed Rate Decisions

    September Squeeze: Farm Bill Uncertainty, Plunging Corn Prices, and Fed Rate Decisions
    Sep 4 2025
    Compeer's AgEdge team tackles the perfect storm facing agriculture as Congress returns from recess. Ag Economist Megan Roberts joins legislative affairs experts Ben Duncanson and Perry Aasness to break down the critical 30-day window ahead, where funding the federal government, extending the Farm Bill, and potential Fed rate cuts all hang in the balance. With USDA slashing 2024 farm income forecasts by $11.3 billion and corn prices dropping to $3.90 per bushel amid record yields, producers face a brutal cost-price squeeze just as production expenses climb higher. The team explains why the "Skinny Farm Bill" containing crucial farm credit provisions—including increased FSA loan limits and rural community investment authority—may have to wait until appropriations battles are resolved. Learn how the September 16-17 Fed meeting could deliver the first rate cut of 2025, what the unemployment report means for monetary policy, and why additional ad hoc disaster assistance might be necessary before year-end.
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    22 mins
  • Navigating the New Crop Insurance Landscape

    Navigating the New Crop Insurance Landscape
    Aug 21 2025
    Crop insurance expert Alex Offerdahl and Compeer's Cole Patrick break down the game-changing updates to federal crop insurance programs following the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. With over two decades in the crop insurance space, Alex explains how increased subsidies are making coverage more affordable while expanding protection options for farmers. Learn about the dramatic changes to Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), which now offers 90% coverage with 80% government subsidy, and why the elimination of conflicts between crop insurance and FSA programs creates new opportunities. Cole adds insights on how these changes, combined with updated ARC and PLC reference prices, are reshaping farm risk management strategies. Discover practical examples showing how premium costs could drop by half while maintaining the same coverage levels, plus get a roadmap for navigating critical coverage decisions. This episode provides essential guidance for maximizing your farm's financial protection in an uncertain agricultural economy.
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    49 mins
  • Weathering the Storm: Climate Resilience for Agriculture

    Weathering the Storm: Climate Resilience for Agriculture
    Aug 21 2025
    Atmospheric scientist Eric Snodgrass breaks down the weather patterns shaping agriculture in 2025. From record-breaking tornado counts to unprecedented flash flood warnings, Eric explains the science behind this year's extreme weather, including how the Bermuda High pressure system has pumped massive amounts of moisture into the Midwest. Learn about the connection between increased crop populations and local precipitation patterns, why derecho events are becoming more common with a 50% annual chance in Compeer territory, and practical strategies for building farm resilience through soil health management and crop insurance. Eric also shares current yield predictions and harvest outlook, providing essential insights for farmers, ag lenders, and industry professionals navigating today's volatile weather and its economic impacts on agriculture.
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    34 mins
  • The New ROI of Sustainability: How Farmers Are Adapting

    The New ROI of Sustainability: How Farmers Are Adapting
    Aug 21 2025
    Jennifer Coleman from The Directions Group explores how sustainability in agriculture is evolving amid today's challenging economic landscape. Jennifer breaks down the "three-legged stool" of sustainability (environment, production, and economics) and reveals why farmers are demanding faster returns on their sustainability investments. Learn about the current state of practices like no-till farming, cover crops, precision agriculture, and integrated pest management, plus how macroeconomic pressures, policy uncertainties, and labor shortages are reshaping farm decision-making. Through real farmer testimonials from Iowa, Ohio, and Montana, discover how producers are adapting their sustainability strategies, requiring 1-2 year paybacks instead of longer-term investments, while still prioritizing soil health and environmental stewardship. Jennifer also discusses the shift toward service-based models in ag retail, the role of AI and data in farming operations, and why multi-purpose solutions are becoming essential for modern agriculture operations navigating unprecedented uncertainty.
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    38 mins