News
Retirement Planning for Farmers and Ranchers
Retirement planning is often overlooked in agriculture, but preparing for the future is just as important as managing today’s operation. Taking time to understand retirement savings options can help build long term financial security and provide greater peace of mind in the years ahead, by Jason Fewell
Strong Farms Depend on Strong Women
The International Year of the Woman Farmer celebrates the women whose leadership, hard work, and expertise help farms and rural communities thrive. From managing operations and making business decisions to caring for livestock and raising families, women play a vital role in agriculture every day. Strong farms depend on strong women, by Morgan Stutrud.
The Hidden Cost of Avoiding Succession Conversations
Farm succession planning is more than an estate decision — it directly impacts financial stability, leadership development, and the future of the operation. Delaying these conversations can create costly uncertainty and family tension, while early planning helps strengthen both the farm and the family behind it, by Linda Burbidge.
2025 North Dakota State Averages
North Dakota farmers showed resilience in 2025, as strong yields, higher livestock prices, and government support helped push average net farm income to $163,455. Although cash income declined, higher inventory values and steady commodity prices helped keep operations financially stable, by Lynsey Aberle.
2025 State Averages Presentation
Explore key insights from this year’s ND Farm Management state and regional averages and see how they can inform your operation. View the presentation to discover trends that matter to North Dakota agriculture.
Keeping up with Record Keeping
Keeping records up to date during the busy season reduces stress and improves accuracy. Tracking finances, inputs, and livestock as they happen helps you make better decisions and stay prepared for the unexpected, by Jason Fewell.
Having a Resilient Farming Operation
Farm financial stress is real, especially with low prices and rising costs. While it can’t be eliminated, careful planning, knowing your costs, and building working capital can help your operation stay resilient during tough times, by Jason Fewell.
Protecting for Tomorrow
Farmers are getting older, and the question of who takes over is becoming urgent. From those still hanging on to those thinking about stepping away, the decisions made today about protecting and passing on farmland will shape whether it stays productive, stays in the family, or quietly slips away, by Darren Wilcox.
How to Ask for Help When You Don’t Want to Ask for Help
Winter can be especially heavy in rural communities, where work never stops and struggles are often carried in silence. When isolation, stress, and uncertainty pile up, even the strongest people can find it hard to keep going—and asking for help can be a quiet but powerful first step, by Linda Burbidge.
Building Resiliency, Gaining Perspective
North Dakota farmers are facing tighter margins and new challenges, but upcoming data may show how they’re finding ways to adapt. The 2025 ND Farm Management report will reveal key trends in resilience, innovation, and the strategies shaping the future of North Dakota agriculture, by Morgan Stutrud.
Making Your Farm More Resilient: Practical Ways to Spread Risk
North Dakota farming is full of curveballs—from wild weather to unpredictable markets. The best defense? Spreading your risk. Learn practical ways to diversify crops, strengthen marketing, and adopt practices that keep your farm resilient year after year, by Leah Maertens.
The Backbone of the Books: Why Honesty, Consistency, and Integrity Matter in Farm Bookkeeping
Farming brings plenty of unpredictability—weather, markets, and regulations all shift in ways you can’t control. But your financial records should never be uncertain. Honest, consistent, and integrity-driven bookkeeping gives farmers a clear picture of what’s working, builds trust, and provides confidence to make sound decisions for the future, by Morgan Stutrud.
Risk vs Uncertainty
Risk can be measured and managed—but uncertainty cannot. While farmers and ranchers use tools like insurance and hedging to handle risk, uncertainty from global events or market shifts is harder to control. Building strong working capital and knowing your cost of production can help you stay financially stable when the unexpected happens, by Jason Fewell.
Hiring Your Child on the Farm: What You Need to Know
If you’re paying a child under 18 for farm work from your personal account, you could be missing out on significant tax benefits. Hiring them officially through your farm not only keeps things compliant—it can also lower your taxable income and teach valuable skills along the way, by Kelcey Hoffmann.
Strength in Numbers: Be Part of the Data
Be part of the data driving better decisions in North Dakota agriculture. The ND Farm Management Program transforms real, on-the-ground farm information into powerful insights that support smarter financial choices—not just for your operation, but for the entire ag community. Join a network of producers helping shape the future of farming, by Morgan Stutrud.
2024 North Dakota State Averages
Despite shifting markets and rising costs, North Dakota producers experienced a relatively stable year in 2024. While some financial pressures emerged, strong yields and improved livestock returns helped balance the scales. Read the full report for detailed insights and data, by Lynsey Aberle.
Making Yourself Your Number One Priority
Agriculture often demands putting others’ needs before your own, but it’s essential to prioritize your health. Remember, your farm and community need the best version of you—taking care of yourself is key to long-term success, by Leah Maertens.
How to Manage Risk in Economic Downturn
Seven strategies to help farm managers manage risk in economic downturns, including innovation, diversification, financial tools, and government support for long-term success, by Darren Wilcox.
Managing Through Good Times And Bad
Farming is cyclical, and careful planning during downturns is essential. Managing cash flow, marketing crops, and controlling expenses are key to surviving tough times, by Jason Fewell.
Agriculture Futures Market 101
Farmers can optimize selling strategies by understanding “carry” in commodity futures markets, helping manage storage costs and maximize profits, by Linda Burbidge.
Prioritize Mental Health on the Farm
The importance of prioritizing mental health on the farm, addressing stress, isolation, and the need for support in agriculture, by Morgan Stutrud.
Manage Costs to Boost Farm Profitability
Focus on managing costs, cutting inputs, and renegotiating contracts to boost farm profitability. Understanding production costs is key, by Linda Burbidge.
How to Farm in the Ups & Downs
Farmers face ups and downs in business. Managing finances, understanding costs, and supporting mental health during tough times is essential, by Jason Fewell.
How to Maximize Farm Profitability
Partial budgeting helps farmers assess the financial impact of decisions, identify cost savings, and optimize profitability for better management, by Linda Burbidge.
Why You Should Care About Financial Ratios
Financial ratios help farmers assess liquidity, profitability, and efficiency, guiding decisions for short-term gains and long-term growth, by Morgan Stutrud.
What Were Farm Incomes in 2023?
North Dakota farmers faced a decrease in net farm income in 2023 due to lower crop prices and fewer inventory changes, despite a slight increase in cash income, by Lynsey Aberle.
Monitoring Cash Flows Throughout the Year
Farmers and ranchers have to regularly monitor cash flows to adapt to changing weather, markets, and unexpected expenses. Regular updates can help avoid financial surprises, by Jason Fewell.
Strong Working Capital Can Serve as Farmers’ Security Blanket
Strong working capital helps farmers manage cash flow, face unexpected challenges, and seize market opportunities. It’s a key component of financial stability, offering security in unpredictable times, by Darren Wilcox.
Plan Ahead for Tax Time
Planning ahead for taxes in agriculture is crucial. Focus on prepays to maintain working capital and secure supplies while navigating changing markets, by Kelcey Hoffmann.
Retirement Planning for Farmers and Ranchers
Retirement planning is often overlooked in agriculture, but preparing for the future is just as important as managing today’s operation. Taking time to understand retirement savings options can help build long term financial security and provide greater peace of mind in the years ahead, by Jason Fewell
Strong Farms Depend on Strong Women
The International Year of the Woman Farmer celebrates the women whose leadership, hard work, and expertise help farms and rural communities thrive. From managing operations and making business decisions to caring for livestock and raising families, women play a vital role in agriculture every day. Strong farms depend on strong women, by Morgan Stutrud.
The Hidden Cost of Avoiding Succession Conversations
Farm succession planning is more than an estate decision — it directly impacts financial stability, leadership development, and the future of the operation. Delaying these conversations can create costly uncertainty and family tension, while early planning helps strengthen both the farm and the family behind it, by Linda Burbidge.
2025 North Dakota State Averages
North Dakota farmers showed resilience in 2025, as strong yields, higher livestock prices, and government support helped push average net farm income to $163,455. Although cash income declined, higher inventory values and steady commodity prices helped keep operations financially stable, by Lynsey Aberle.
2025 State Averages Presentation
Explore key insights from this year’s ND Farm Management state and regional averages and see how they can inform your operation. View the presentation to discover trends that matter to North Dakota agriculture.
Keeping up with Record Keeping
Keeping records up to date during the busy season reduces stress and improves accuracy. Tracking finances, inputs, and livestock as they happen helps you make better decisions and stay prepared for the unexpected, by Jason Fewell.
Having a Resilient Farming Operation
Farm financial stress is real, especially with low prices and rising costs. While it can’t be eliminated, careful planning, knowing your costs, and building working capital can help your operation stay resilient during tough times, by Jason Fewell.
Protecting for Tomorrow
Farmers are getting older, and the question of who takes over is becoming urgent. From those still hanging on to those thinking about stepping away, the decisions made today about protecting and passing on farmland will shape whether it stays productive, stays in the family, or quietly slips away, by Darren Wilcox.
How to Ask for Help When You Don’t Want to Ask for Help
Winter can be especially heavy in rural communities, where work never stops and struggles are often carried in silence. When isolation, stress, and uncertainty pile up, even the strongest people can find it hard to keep going—and asking for help can be a quiet but powerful first step, by Linda Burbidge.
Building Resiliency, Gaining Perspective
North Dakota farmers are facing tighter margins and new challenges, but upcoming data may show how they’re finding ways to adapt. The 2025 ND Farm Management report will reveal key trends in resilience, innovation, and the strategies shaping the future of North Dakota agriculture, by Morgan Stutrud.