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Margy Eckelkamp

Margy Eckelkamp is the brand leader for Farm Journal’s Top Producer and The Daily Scoop, specializing in business reporting for CEO farmers and agricultural professionals. She provides actionable intelligence to help operations navigate farmland dynamics, diversified revenue streams and overall profitability. Margy’s expertise spans regulatory and EPA issues, ag retail trends and tech innovations – topics she explores in depth on The Scoop podcast. Her nuanced analysis of modern business management ensures agricultural leaders are equipped to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Latest Stories
On the surface, strong livestock prices and government payments are painting a rosy picture for the farm sector. A closer look at input costs, commodity prices and interest rates says otherwise.
“We must ensure that we make a way for young and beginning farmers to fill our boots,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“Whatever your case might be, it’s about how to help absorb potential unforeseen shocks and potential short term losses if they occur,” says John Steeves with Rabobank.
“In today’s economy, the ability to farm often depends on the ability to commute,” says Daniel Munch, economist at American Farm Bureau Federation.
“We’re only 15 days into this. It feels like a year, right?” says Matt Clark, senior rural economy analyst. “I catch myself feeling very overwhelmed by the news flow, a lot has happened in 15 days.”
Zach Arend will share lessons from the rodeo arena at the Top Producer Summit in Kansas City.
“It’s unlikely that changes in tariffs will impact prices headed into the Super Bowl, however, we’ll see how it plays out in the coming weeks,” Dr. Michael Swanson says.
Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1,000,000 or more) accounted for 48% of the total value of production and 31% of agricultural land in 2023.
With an unassuming pursuit of excellence, 2024 Top Producer of the Year Christine Hamilton leads her team driven by the pursuit of doing things in a better way but not for the sake of being the best.
“The agricultural economy is inherently cyclical, and ag lenders are navigating the changing conditions across the sectors they serve,” said Jackson Takach, chief economist of Farmer Mac.