“Leveraging the passion and potential of our youth is crucial for the future of the pork industry,” says Lori Stevermer, President of NPPC.
Matt Gunderson, vice president of Farmers National Company, says having these advisers will give your plan the sturdiest foundation.
A hush went over the room of women representing varying stages of life – some just starting out in the workforce, others smack-dab in the middle of motherhood and career balancing, and even empty-nesters facing the final years of their career.
Sign-ups are now open for the 2024 College Aggies Online Scholarship Program Last year, $20,000 in scholarships were awarded.
I wanted to be defensive. I wanted people to understand why it’s important and why it matters. I wanted to find a way to explain “our side of the story.”
Franklin FFA students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the swine show ring.
It looked like a bunch of run-down pig pens to most people, but not Nick Adams. All he could see was opportunity.
From a pragmatic approach to purchasing new technology to making more of the buying decisions on the farm, there are some interesting trends transpiring as more Next Gen farmers identify as an owner/operator on their farm.
Courtney Archer’s research uses the NUtrack Livestock Monitoring System to track behavioral changes and analyzing stress and immune markers to identify pigs predisposed to tail biting
Harrison Furlow opens up about leadership and the future of the pork industry.
Understanding the impact of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on reproductive performance and retention of gilts could be very beneficial to the U.S. pork industry, says Lindsey Britton of North Carolina State University.
When a South Dakota farmer wanted to return home, putting up his own nursery barn was the avenue that helped him be his own boss and continue as the fourth generation pork producer in his family.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
The good news is there are legal devices to do whatever a farmer wants to do. The key is using the right mechanisms for the relationship piece.
There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.
Erin Mies and Kristen Ireland of People Spark Consulting offer insights on how to create process and equip people.
When raised by farmers, our earliest lessons in leadership, stewardship and life in general occur with the rhythms of the seasons. It turns out, even in a season of loss the learning continues.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
Formulating your farm’s succession plan is likely not a straight line. Polly Dobbs, an Indiana attorney who is part of a seven-generation farm family, says it’s important to stay focused on your end goals.
The clock is ticking — and the current estate-tax exemption is set to plummet at the end of 2025. The smaller exemption coupled with inflation and land values likely means increased assets and estate-tax rates.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.
“Proving you can do the small things well makes you that much more ready to take on the big things.” World Pork Expo was not only buzzing with pig farmers, it was also full of interns exploring the pork industry.
Challenge accepted. Eight college students from across the country will gather at the World Pork Expo for their first meeting to foster the next generation of leaders in the swine industry.
“This is how we’ve always done it.” This is just one of the many excuses Nate Huntley hears about why farmers are skeptical about cover crops, trying new manure application or lowering carbon emissions.
Wild, unconventional, early adopters. It’s not uncommon for Nate Huntley or Josh Nelson to turn a few heads in Wright County, Iowa.
The first 10 days were hell, says Kyle Baade, a Nebraska pork producer. After that, if a visitor showed up, he says they would have no idea the farm had any issues. Here’s his PRRS story and how it changed his life.
Unclear. That’s how Heidi Vittetoe, co-owner of JWV Pork in Washington, Iowa, would describe her outlook on the pork industry. Three pig farmers get honest about the pork outlook and what’s ahead.
A family operation that has stood the test of time, pivoting and leveraging resources along the way, “This’ll Do Farm” operated by father-son duo, Tork and Sawyer, has a story worth sharing.
As this week’s Farmer Feature, a wife, mother and boots-on-the-ground co-owner of a swine nursery operation, Heidi Flory, shares how she contributes to the pork industry both on and off the stage.