Management

If you are interested in becoming an organic operation, good records are essential, says Kristen Adams, certification service director at MOSA (Midwest Organic Services Association) Certified Organic. MOSA is one of the agencies that certify operations as organic. She says her recommendations will help producers in their transition to organic no matter what certifying agency they use.

About 12 years ago, a guy named Jack called me up and, although no one in his family knew it, he had terminal cancer. Succession planning had suddenly become a priority, and he didn’t know what to do.

As a producer, it is very likely you have had to borrow money from a bank at least once in your career. In addition to having the necessary collateral, farming experience, good credit and many other requirements, your banker probably told you that you have to produce “good” financial statements for their review at least once a year.

It starts out wonderful. You have a natural fondness for each other, you share common passions, and your life goals seem to align quite well.

Congress often completes its work for the year just before the holiday season – right at the last minute. 2020 was no exception to that rule, despite the unique circumstances wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to shape our nation in unprecedented ways.

Improved management practices and increased attention to genetic selection helped overcome the added milk production and marketing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.