September 14, 2017

Managing Risk: A Conversation with Kirkpatrick Farms

Kirkpatrick Farm operators, Bryan and Susan Kirkpatrick along with their daughter, Andrea, raise food-grade corn and seed soybeans with an emphasis on improving the productivity of their land. The Kirkpatrick’s were early adopters of precision ag technology. The Kirkpatrick’s have operated a seed warehouse for local distribution for over 35 years and has developed a large, successful business built upon customer service.

 

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Farm Absorption Capacity and Producer Sentiment

November 9, 2026

If crop prices slip or input costs climb, how much room does your farm have to adjust? Use a three-question scorecard to assess your fixed costs per unit, enterprise mix and balance sheet. Then see how your score compares with responses from 400 producers in the October 2026 Ag Economy Barometer survey.

Contingency Planning with Cash Flow Shortages

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A contingency plan is a course of action designed to help a business determine how to respond to possible future events. Contingency plans are often referred to as “Plan B”. One of the most common contingency plans used by a business, particularly a small business, relates to how to respond to the departure or absence of key personnel. Contingency plans relating to how to respond to changes in projected cash flow are also important. Given the recent increase in input prices for fertilizer and fuel and wide variability in expected prices, it would be prudent for a farm to examine the sensitivity of their cash flow and repayment capacity to changes in crop prices. This article illustrates the use of contingency plans for a case farm in southwest Indiana.

Financial Stress, Labor Decisions, and Farm Resilience: Tools to Evaluate Your Operation

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UPCOMING EVENTS

ARC/PLC 2026: Making Your Crop Risk Management Decision

Compare PLC, ARC-CO and ARC-IC before making your 2026 farm program election. Join Purdue’s Michael Langemeier November 16 for a free webinar covering the pros and cons of each option, with time for Q&A.

Top Farmer Conference 2027

January 8, 2027

A management programs geared specifically for farmers. Surrounded by farm management, farm policy, agricultural finance and marketing experts, and a group of your peers, the conference will stimulate your thinking about agriculture’s future and how you can position your farm to be successful in the years ahead.