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Farm business and financial planning
1. Communicate during farm succession
Economic strain can bring questions about transferring a farm to the next generation into sharper focus. The roundup urged families to communicate through succession decisions. A transfer affects both the business and the people involved, so discuss expectations and concerns rather than treating it only as a transaction.
2. Explore financing alternatives
For farmers who had trouble obtaining financing through a regular banker, the article suggested exploring alternative loan assistance. It did not endorse a lender or establish that a particular option would suit every borrower. Compare terms, costs, eligibility, and repayment obligations before committing.
3. Consider farmland availability
The roundup anticipated that more farmland might come onto the market in the winter of 2019–20. That was a time-specific observation, not a forecast for today. Anyone considering a purchase or lease should use current local listings and financial figures.
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4. Consider seed prices in the context of the season
Successful Farming reported in 2019 that seed companies were keeping prices broadly constant for 2020. That historical note says nothing about current prices. Evaluate seed costs against the operation’s current budget, local recommendations, and production plans.
5. Make a grain marketing plan
In a related December 6, 2019 article, Cargill MarketGuide product line leader Greg Lumsden advised farmers to understand USDA crop-estimate methods, calculate production-cost breakeven prices, and write down a marketing plan. He said: “Get to know your breakeven prices on cost of production. Really come up with a written marketing plan.”
A practical plan should connect sale targets and timing to rotation, storage and transport logistics, and cash-flow needs. Lumsden also advised focusing on controllable decisions and market offers rather than trying to build a plan around trade-news speculation. His comments addressed the 2020 market context; use current prices and costs when making present-day decisions.
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6. Compare equipment trade-in and outright sale
Before replacing equipment, compare the dealer’s trade-in offer with likely proceeds from a private sale, then account for the replacement cost and the time and effort each route requires. The better choice depends on the actual numbers and the value of convenience for the operation.
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7. Make technology decisions with margins in mind
The roundup said experts encouraged farmers to consider technology investment during periods of low commodity prices, but it supplied no quantified return or vendor recommendation. Weigh a proposed tool against its cost, the problem it is meant to solve, and the operation’s ability to use it.
8. Connect with consumers through digital tools
Digital technology can help a farm communicate with consumers. The 2019 roundup framed consumer connection and product quality as business considerations alongside yield; it did not prescribe a platform or promise a financial return.
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9. Get involved in local and state organizations
Participation in local and state organizations can give farmers a way to make their views heard. The useful organizations and opportunities depend on a farmer’s location and interests.
Agronomy and conservation choices
10. Consider strip tillage as a transition
The roundup presented strip tillage as a possible step for farms seeking soil-health improvements but not ready to move directly to no-till. Whether it fits depends on the farm’s soils, equipment, rotation, and goals; the article did not establish a universal result.
11. Look at affordable conservation practices
Edge-of-field practices, including saturated buffers, were among the conservation options highlighted. Successful Farming reported in 2019 that saturated buffers could remove nitrate concentrations by 41% to 98%. That range is the roundup’s attribution; the original study or data publisher was not identified in the reviewed material, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed outcome for a particular site.
12. Assess whether cover crops pay on your farm
The roundup included cover crops as a soil-health strategy but did not show that they pay on every farm. Costs and outcomes depend on local conditions and the practice’s purpose. Seed species and mixes should be selected for the farm’s location, goals, and management plan rather than assumed to be interchangeable.
13. Consider cutting a tillage pass
Successful Farming reported in 2019 that eliminating a tillage pass could save $2 to $7 per acre in fuel costs. That historical estimate is not a current calculation: fuel prices and production systems vary. Consider pass reduction in light of both operating costs and soil-health objectives.
14. Manage weeds on prevent-plant acres
After the 2019 season, prevent-plant acres posed a distinct weed-management challenge. The roundup raised the issue but did not provide a current, location-specific control prescription. Consult applicable local and seasonal guidance before choosing a management approach.
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15. Watch for corn diseases with local guidance
The article noted that diseases observed in 2019 could recur in 2020. That was a warning about the next season at the time, not a statement about current disease pressure. Current decisions should be based on local observations and season-specific agronomic guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Livestock and animal-health preparedness
16. Consider whether cattle diversify the operation
The roundup proposed adding cattle as one possible way to diversify a farm business. It did not establish profitability or suitability. Consider the investment, labor, facilities, and fit with the existing operation before taking on livestock.
17. Treat African swine fever preparedness as a dated example
The article described a preparedness exercise in which 14 U.S. states simulated that African swine fever had arrived. That is a historical 2019–20 reference, not evidence of current disease status. Use current official animal-health information for present-day biosecurity or response decisions.
Family and personal well-being
18. Recognize pressure on the sandwich generation
The roundup included the strain on people balancing care for children and older relatives. Farm-family well-being can be affected by caregiving as well as business pressures; acknowledging the demands is a useful starting point for discussing support and responsibilities.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute19. Treat self-care as mental-health maintenance
The article framed self-care as part of maintaining mental health and noted that it need not be extravagant. The point was to take personal well-being seriously, not to prescribe a particular routine.
How to use a 2019 list responsibly today
The 20 entries were ideas for consideration in a specific period of agricultural uncertainty, not a single prescription for every farm. Historical prices, savings figures, disease concerns, market conditions, and expectations about farmland should not be carried forward as current facts. For decisions now, use up-to-date local agronomic and market information, and evaluate financial choices against the operation’s own costs and constraints.
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