May 21, 2021
Farm Succession/Transition Planning Series
An eleven-episode podcast series on farm succession/transition planning. Purdue ag economists Brady Brewer hosts members from the Purdue Farm Transition team and the Purdue Institute of Family Business to discuss topics related to succession planning and ownership and management transitions on the farm business. Whether you’re in the early thinking process or more than half-way through the transition, there’s something here for everyone to learn and take home to the farm business.
ARTICLES WITHIN PUBLICATION:
Farm Transition Planning
Maria Marshall, professor and director of Purdue’s Institute for Family Business, joins Brady Brewer to discuss farm succession planning. They answer why it’s important to start planning both a management and an ownership transfer ahead of time, who to have on your team of advisors, and the things you can do to start to prepare.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Transitioning Business Management
Following our episode about Farm Transition Planning, we now take a closer look at some of the key areas of forming and executing a farm succession plan. To kick this series off, Purdue Agricultural Economists Michael Langemeier and Brady Brewer cover the topic of transitioning management of a farm from one generation to the next.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Feasibility of Adding a Family Employee
Adding to our series about Farm Transition Planning, in this third Purdue Commercial AgCast episode, we discuss how to evaluate if the farm can add an operator or hired employee.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Human Resources for Transition Planning
Keeping the farm business running between generations and management tiers can be difficult, but job descriptions and keeping open communication is key. Purdue agricultural economists Brady Brewer and members of the Purdue Farm Transition team Jenna Nees, Denise Schroeder, and Kyle Weaver discuss the importance of having a strong HR strategy and some common issues that many farms face as they transition management roles.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Conflict Management for Transition Planning
In this fifth episode of our series about Farm Transition Planning, we focus on conflict management – what is conflict, what causes it, how do we handle it within a farming business to come to a resolution.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Business Governance for Transition Planning
Adding on to our transition planning series, in this 6th episode, Purdue agricultural economists Brady Brewer and members of the Purdue Farm Transition team Renee Wiatt and Maria Marshall focus on how and why to set up governance policies in a farm business.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Business Entities
When it comes time to transition your farm business to the next generation, whether your farm is set up as a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC, how your business is structured will affect many aspects. Deciding on a business entity requires much thought and advice. In this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode, our seventh in our Farm Transition Planning series, Purdue ag economist Brady Brewer and members of the Purdue Farm Transition team Kelly Heckaman and Ed Farris discuss business entities.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Operating Agreements
Who can join the farm? And how? What terms are set on compensation if equity and contributions aren’t equal? In this episode, our eighth in our Farm Transition Planning series, Purdue ag economists Brady Brewer and Michael Langemeier discuss agreements that are important in a farm business with Purdue Farm Transition team member Ed Farris. They talk operating agreements and common provisions, as well as buy/sell agreements.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Contingency Plan
Planning for the unexpected helps the farm business continue and thrive when life throws a curve. Dr. Maria Marshall and Renee Wiatt join Dr. Brady Brewer to discuss what is in a contingency plan, risks that a contingency plan can cover, and why having one is needed for a successful farm transition.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Retirement Planning
In this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode, the tenth in our Farm Transition Planning series, Purdue ag economists Brady Brewer discusses retirement planning with the Purdue Farm Transition team, Kelly Heckaman, Jeff Pell and Denise Schroeder.
Read MoreFarm Succession: Non-Family Transfer
In this Purdue Commercial AgCast episode, the eleventh in our Farm Transition Planning series, Purdue ag economists Brady Brewer discusses transferring the farm to a non relative with the Purdue Farm Transition team, Dr. Maria Marshall, Director of the Purdue Institute of Family Business and Renee Wiatt, Farm Business Management Specialist, and Dr. Julia Valliant of Indiana University, Research Scientist with the Ostrom Workshop.
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Each year, numerous emerging technologies claim to boost your production, reduce input usage, or streamline your farm’s operations. However, the effectiveness of these technologies varies across different farms. Purdue ag economists James Mintert, Michael Langemeier, and Chad Fiechter examined how technology affects long-term farm growth and profitability, and share insights from farm financial records and farmer surveys during their 2025 Commodity Classic Learning Center Session on March 4, 2025. Watch the recording now!
READ MOREContingency Planning with Cash Flow Shortages
Contingency plans related to how to respond to changes in projected cash flows are important. Given the expected drop in crop prices this fall 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. Using a case farm in southwest Indiana, Michael illustrates how contingency plans could be used.
READ MOREMaria Marshall and Renee Wiatt join host Brady Brewer in this episode to discuss how the many generations of family engaged in a family business interact with one another. One of the challenges in a family business is understanding the differences in generational perspectives on the business and possible succession. This AgCast episode reviews results from a recent survey conducted across the Midwest which examines generational differences within farm families seeking to transition their businesses to the next generation.
READ MOREUPCOMING EVENTS
We are taking a short break, but please plan to join us at one of our future programs that is a little farther in the future.
(Part 1) 2024 Indiana Farmland Values & Market Trends
Interested in the latest trends and insights on U.S. & Indiana farmland values? This AgCast episode shares insights from the Farm Sector Balance Sheet, USDA data collection methods, regional variations in land values, and the influences of factors such as interest rates and development pressures on farmland prices. Gain an in-depth understanding of trends, market dynamics, and future expectations for farmland values.
READ MOREIndiana farmland prices have continued the trend of record highs in 2024, according to the latest Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rent Survey. The average price of top-quality farmland reached $14,392 per acre, a 4.8% increase from June 2023. Average and poor-quality farmland also saw gains, with prices increasing 3.7% and 4.4% to $11,630 and $9,071 per acre, respectively.
READ MOREComparing Net Returns for Alternative Leasing Arrangements
Obtaining control of land through leasing has a long history in the United States. Leases on agricultural land are strongly influenced by local custom and tradition. However, in most areas, landowners and operators can choose from several types of lease arrangements. Flexible cash lease arrangements provide a base cash rent plus a bonus which typically represents a share of gross revenue in excess of a certain base value or threshold.
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