Rising inflation, interest rate increases, a conflict in Europe, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer preferences are creating an environment of unexpected consequences. Managing a farm or ranch business in an economic environment with extreme volatility can be challenging, but also opportunistic. At a recent agricultural conference, Dr. Steve Isaacs,…
For many farmers in Washington state, paying their employees overtime pay has not been required in the past. No matter how long the day, employees earned their hourly pay rate. It was simple, convenient and predictable for the farmer and the employee. However, a November 2020 Washington Supreme Court case…
In the February issue of Wheat Life, I discussed what kind of entity farm ground should be held in. I have had several people follow up, asking how to transition their farm ground without setting up an entity like an LLC. While I believe an LLC has several advantages, it…
Congress initially authorized federal crop insurance back in the 1930s to help agriculture recover from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) was created in 1938 to administer the program, which was initially limited to major crops in main production areas of the U.S….
The financial bottom line will be a key element in any farm and ranch game plan in 2022 and beyond. While the past two years have been both financially and mentally challenging, managing through uncertainty has had a silver lining. Prices for many commodities increased dramatically prior to inflating costs,…
One of the most popular questions my firm gets is “how should I own my farm ground?” Many people inherit farm ground from their family and start to wonder if it would be better to put it in a corporation, an LLC or some sort of a trust. The answer,…
How much crop insurance coverage is needed, and how do we get there? This is an age-old question that is answered with “depends.” Please allow me to elaborate. Like beer or soda, all have different preferences and/or tolerances for risk. We believe the best outcome for crop insurance is that…
Benjamin Franklin famously stated, “Nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes.” The last two years could be summed up in many ways, but certainty is not one. Paycheck Protection Program loans, Employee Retention Credits and Farm Service Agency payments popped up seemingly overnight, sending producers and practitioners…
The song, “On the Road Again,” by Willie Nelson would be very appropriate for my summer travels engaging with producers, lenders and agribusinesses. The spectrum of audiences and events ranged from multiday young farmer and rancher conferences to lending schools, online events and the occasional strategic planning venue where I…
Absent a significant change in life circumstances (e.g., the death, disability or desired disinheritance of a current heir), I advise clients to review their estate planning documents every three to five years. The purpose of the review is not to determine whether changes in state or federal law necessitate revisions…
