Fielding Questions

Episode Description: Another round of disaster relief payments are coming to Northern Plains crop farmers with crop losses due to drought in 2020 and 2021. AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Crop Insurance and Commodity Marketing Education Rob Fronning has more details about the USDA's new Emergency Relief Program. Hear more about it in the latest Fielding Questions podcast episode, presented by AgCountry Farm Credit Services.

Episode Description: The cold, wet weather is delaying spring planting in the Northern Plains. Prevent plant is one decision farmers will need to make in the next few weeks. AgCountry Farm Credit Services Crop Insurance Supervisor Nick Dreyer says this prevent plant year is different from others. Strong commodity prices and global demand incentivize getting a crop planted, if possible, this spring. Several Northern Plains farmers may end up planting past the final planting date.

Episode Description: Do you have all you need for a successful farm transition? AgCountry Farm Credit Services Consultant in Succession and Retirement Planning Bobbi Sondreal walks through the basics of farm transitions and succession planning in the latest episode of the Fielding Questions podcast.

Episode Description: The late spring is top-of-mind for farmers and traders. AgCountry Farm Credit Services Market Education Specialist Katie Tangen says the weather will influence the acreage mix. Hedging is encouraged, but Tangen said there are some considerations. "One of those is the amount of capital available to hold a hedge position or to play in options or is it better to look at a hedge-to-arrives," said Tangen. "At this point in the year, we would guys holding old crop hedges and new crop hedges and that tightens the liquidity even further." A conversation with your lender is advised.

Episode Description: Episode Description: In the latest AgCountry Farm Credit Services Fielding Questions podcast, meteorologist Paul Trombley offers insight into the upcoming planting season and beyond. A slow spring warmup has been a reality across Minnesota and the Dakotas. Trombley also reviews the potential drought situation. "Thankfully, things have gotten better. If you look at September 2021, almost the entire state of Minnesota was in moderate to severe drought and that was seen into the Dakotas." That has been changed in eastern North Dakota and most of Minnesota.

Episode Description: In the Fielding Questions podcast, AgCountry Farm Credit Services market education specialist Katie Tangen previews the USDA Prospective Plantings Report and considers market strategies during a very volatile time. Listen to the full podcast.

Episode Description: In the latest RRFN and AgCountry Farm Credit Services Fielding Questions episode, AgCountry Market Vice President Ron Haugen talks about inflation. “This year, we’re getting hit with chemical and fertilizer expenses higher than previous years. Those continue to increase, but all of our customers try to trim expenses where they can,” says Haugen. “Our customers, when you take the period we’ve gone through leading up to this, it was tough to turn a profit. In 2020 and 2021, they were able to make some profit, but in 2022, we’re seeing high prices. On the other side, we’re seeing high input costs as well. A farmer’s net return could be less than the previous two years.”

Episode Description: Episode Description: In the Fielding Questions podcast, AgCountry Farm Credit Services succession and retirement planning consultant Andy Zenk offers insight into the basics of a will. “Identifying what your definition of fair and equitable distribution of the assets is the primary result when we’re doing a will or an estate plan,” said Zenk. Listen to the full podcast.

Episode Description: Risk management is a must with so much uncertainty with weather. AgCountry Farm Credit Services Insurance Specialist Joel Lynse discusses the importance of crop insurance. In the Fielding Questions podcast, Lynse considers the crop insurance options available to the producer and their risk tolerance.

Episode Description: Episode Discription: AgCountry Farm Credit Services Market Education Specialist Katie Tangen says the market will be "sloppy" in preparation for the January 12 USDA supply/demand report. Once that report is released, more focus will be on the South American crop. The importance of a marketing plan is also discussed in the Fielding Questions podcast. If you have questions, reach out to AgCountry on Twitter, Facebook and the website.