Next Generation Beef Producers
Next Generation Farming Week: June 9 - 15, 2025
Nearly 300 million acres of U.S. farmland are expected to change hands in the next 20 years. Beyond the transfer of land, and the often-complex succession planning process, investing in the next generation involves the transfer of skills and knowledge. Now’s the time to cultivate multigenerational success through asset, resource and financial stewardship.
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There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.
Having faith and patience, and seeking help from mentors helped first-generation Kentucky cattleman start farming full time.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
Formulating your farm’s succession plan is likely not a straight line. Polly Dobbs, an Indiana attorney who is part of a seven-generation farm family, says it’s important to stay focused on your end goals.
The clock is ticking — and the current estate-tax exemption is set to plummet at the end of 2025. The smaller exemption coupled with inflation and land values likely means increased assets and estate-tax rates.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.
Legacy. It’s a six-letter word, but it carries the weight of generations for agricultural families. The weight this word carries makes it valuable for families to understand what their legacy is and how to uncover it.
From the sands of Iraq to the pastures of Michigan, a war veteran’s heart for service is now regenerating the soil.
Entrepreneur decided to “be that guy,” to open Utah’s new packing facility. With 323,000 beef cows in the state, this new facility is primed to fill a big need for additional processing.