FTC Episode 357: What Should You Know About Our Canadian Farming Neighbors?

U.S. and Canadian farmers share many similarities, however agricultural trade may seem to pit the two against one another right now. Our guest is Shaun Haney and he provides a Canadian view of trade talks and agricultural priorities for his home country. What do U.S. farmers need to better understa…

FTC Episode 356: How Changing Populations Will Impact the Future of Farming

Exports are a very important part of U.S. agriculture. This nation has done a good job of growing exports over the past few decades, but are today’s buyers the buyers of the future? How are populations changing and what does that mean for U.S. farmers and the mix of crops that are grown? We have an…

FTC Episode 355: A Beginning Farmer with $35,000/Acre Input Costs

Farming is often a capital-intensive venture. Tanner Sherman is a first-generation farmer on land where his input costs may be $35,000 per acre. So how do you get started AND make a living? I’ll take you to central California where managing 125 acres is a high intensity job that can create enough c…

FTC Episode 354: Are Green Energy Projects Opportunities or Dangers for Farmers?

Many farmers have been offered contracts to devote some of their acres to solar, wind and other energy developments over the past few years. Are those projects on the decline with a new administration or are they stronger than ever? We take a look at the current market place and potential opportuni…

FTC Episode 353: Lessons on Small Town Success

Chugwater, Wyoming is a town of under 200 residents in the southeastern part of the Cowboy state. I recent had a chance to meet their mayor, a relatively young newcomer from Pennsylvania. What he’s learned and what he’s shared with the community holds lessons for all of us on building better farms,…

FTC Episode 352: Tips From a Corn Yield Champ

David Hula consistently raises some of the highest corn yields in the nation. His farm near Chesapeake Bay has challenges many other farmers don’t face, yet those extra hurdles have helped him learn better ways to increase bushels and profits and make him a source of advice to many other row crop f…

FTC Episode 351: Adding Value to What You Grow & Raise

Kim Ratcliff had some roots in ranch life, but she was working in New York City. When life events changed, she found herself helping to manage the family ranch and building a direct-to-consumer model that has been very successful. Her work offers insights into ways many of us can add value to the c…

FTC Episode 350: How Long Can You Survive a Negative Balance Sheet?

A lot of row crop farms have negative balance sheets for this year. How are lenders reacting to farm numbers that are often in the red? What are top farms doing that we can all learn from to stay well in the black? What is the route to profitability in challenging times?

FTC Episode 349: Increasing Profits by Becoming a Market Maker

Roy Pfaltzgraff and Emily Kamala farm in northeastern Colorado. Their goal is to be “market makers” by growing crops for a premium that have specific end-users in mind. It’s a route that has its challenges and opportunities but a path that has them talking with many other farmers about how they can…

FTC Episode 348: Best Tips from Top Producer’s Next-Gen Award Winning Farmer

Dalton Dilldine was recognized as Top Producer’s Next Generation award winner. His farm in the Delta region of northeast Arkansas provides opportunities to grow several crops. We discussed how he stepped into a leadership role right out of high school and how he balanced education, farming and a pr…