Mind Your Farm Business – RealAgriculture

On this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney explores why cybersecurity has become an essential pillar of farm risk management alongside weather and markets. Featuring Eugene Ng and Marvin Slingerland of MNP, this episode delves into how cybercriminals actively exploit trust-based rural relationships through fraudulent invoices, compromised email accounts, and…Read More

On this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney sits down with agricultural business management expert Dr. David Kohl to discuss what separates the most resilient and successful farm businesses from the rest. They dive into Kohl’s “two-in-ten” rule, with the idea that in commodity agriculture, farmers may have two great…Read More

On this Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney sits down with Rena Striegel, president of Transition Point Business Advisors, to discuss why farm succession plans fail when families focus solely on transferring assets rather than leadership. They dive into the dangers of the "shadow CEO," the misunderstandings surrounding sweat equity, and why true…Read More

When margins tighten, farm management decisions become even more important. Yet some of the toughest decisions producers face aren't driven by markets, weather, or policy—they're shaped by human behaviour. On this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney speaks with Ben Brown, agricultural economist at the University of Missouri, about the... Read More

Higher interest rates, tighter margins, and questions around land values have many farmers wondering if another 1980s-style farm crisis could be ahead. In this episode of Mind Your Farm Business, host Shaun Haney is joined by Evan Shout of Farmer Coach and Maverick Ag to compare today’s farm financial picture to the conditions leading into…Read More

In an era of relentless market volatility and policy ambiguity, many farm businesses are searching for certainty, but that may be the wrong goal altogether. Instead, the best way forward might be embracing uncertainty itself, says Dr. Trey Malone, agricultural economist at Purdue University. In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Malone…Read More

Thanks for tuning in to the Mind Your Farm Business podcast! In this episode, host Shaun Haney is joined by Ursina Studhalter, chartered professional accountant, author of Farming Frontiers substack, and sheep farmer, for a practical conversation on the not-so-glamorous — but absolutely essential — task of farm bookkeeping. From managing receipts to choosing accounting…Read More

If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, putting out fires, juggling cash flow and reacting to problems instead of steering your farm, this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast is for you. Host Shaun Haney welcomes Saskatchewan farmer and business coach Josh Kerpan to unpack how producers can transition from overwhelmed operators…Read More

When the going is good, it’s tempting to focus on growth and measure success by the size of your acreage. But is bigger always better? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney is joined by Dean Klippenstine of MNP for a conversation that challenges the thinking that bigger is…Read More

On this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney is joined by Chris Hardwick, entrepreneur, adventurer, and leadership coach, for a candid discussion about the psychology behind decision-making on the farm, especially when fear, risk, and ego collide. Hardwick blends life experience with business lessons to help farmers and business owners…Read More

Whether you’re pricing inputs, closing a land deal, or hiring custom work, negotiation is woven into the fabric of farm business decisions. But too often, it’s done on the fly—with vague goals and little planning. In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by Mark Raffan of Negotiations Ninja…Read More

In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by estate planning expert and bestselling author Dr. Tom Deans to discuss why avoiding conversations about succession, wills, and wealth can lead to disastrous consequences for farm families. Deans, author of Every Family’s Business, Willing Wisdom, and The Happy Inheritor, shares…Read More

What does it really mean to “scale” a farm business? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by Evan Shout, president of Maverick Ag and co-founder of Farmer Coach, to explore the many shapes growth can take and discuss why more land isn’t always the answer. From managing…Read More

In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney sits down with Ted Oakley, managing partner of Oxbow Advisors and author of Second Generation Wealth, to discuss the critical topic of passing down wealth and responsibility in farm families. Ted draws from decades of experience helping families manage major liquidity events…Read More

What makes a good farmer a great one? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney digs into that question with Margy Eckelkamp of Top Producer at Farm Journal. From battling through the 1980s farm crisis to navigating today’s economic curveballs, Eckelkamp shares how the most successful farm operators think…Read More

Farm transition and succession planning are two of the most avoided yet critical discussions for family farms. In this candid and solution-focused episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney welcomes back renowned farm family coach and author Elaine Froese to break down the roots of procrastination and explore how to move…Read More

People have been using handshakes to solidify deals since at least as far back as ancient Roman times. A handshake in those days would show that each person was unarmed, thereby establishing a relationship of honesty and trust. Fast forward to today with the progression of law and contracts, a need for more formalized agreements…Read More

From identify theft, to phishing scams, to data breaches and ransom wear, cyber threats are just as real to individual farmers and farm businesses as they are to the general public. Understanding where online and digital threats come from is key to building a solid risk management plan, says Eugene Ng, cyber security expert with…Read More

You've got to name it to tame it. What does that mean when it comes to how we manage in high-stress situations? In this second half of the conversation on burnout and managing stress, author and mental health advocate Dr. Jessica Metcalfe walks listeners through how to address burnout and anxiety on a daily basis…Read More

Farming is a high-stress profession that sees many participants shouldering heavy loads of worry and anxiety that can lead to burnout. Author and mental health advocate Dr. Jessica Metcalfe says it's important for farmers and ranchers to recognize these conditions and take proactive steps to ensure the weight of agriculture doesn't overwhelm their business and…Read More