This is what farmers and landowners must know about soil quality
Every farmer and landowner wants to get the most production out of their farm operations. But to accomplish this, land quality and soil quality must be preserved. Without a high level of soil quality, farm fields struggle to produce at a level that provides the profits and return on investment needed to stay in the […]
Swart added to Cotton-Grave team
New faces to help lead established farm management agency into the future. In 1960, Ben Abben, the namesake of Abben Cancer Center, started Ben Abben Farm Management, creating a farm management, real estate and appraisal operation. John Cotton came on board in 1965, launching Abben-Cotton Land Management and Realty serving the tristate region. Following Abben’s […]
Here’s what to look for when searching for a successful tenant farmer
There are too many factors to count that can work for or against a farm in any given year. So many, in fact, that it is nice to know what can actually be counted on to be consistent – or at least as consistent as possible – year in and year out. That is why many […]
You’ve inherited farmland. What’s next?
Meta description: There are many factors to consider after you have inherited farmland, including land value, income location, taxes and what to do next. Inheriting a farm can be a welcome opportunity or an intimidating challenge, depending on who you are and the situation you find yourself in. For some people, this inheritance may have been […]
What farmers and investors need to know about soil productivity
Soil. When you get down to it, it’s the basic essential of every farming operation. Without healthy soil, your farm is going to struggle to produce at a level you need to reach your business goals and achieve success. As advances in agriculture have continued, farmers have been able to get the most out of […]
How did Iowa farmland values fared in 2020?
The price of land is something every farmer and landowner keeps an eye on. It makes up a large majority of assets in the farm sector in this country, and it is often seen as a key indicator of the agriculture economy’s health. So, after a year with many unexpected barriers, many people in our […]
These are the characteristics of a good tenant farmer
A landowner who leases farmland needs good tenants. Some might claim that goes without saying, but it’s an important point that is worth driving home. In these relationships, the tenant’s success is simply the landowner’s success, as well. That’s why anybody who owns farmland needs to trust that they have tenants who are going to […]
7 tips for keeping up with farming technology
Farmers have more tools than ever to work with to ensure their land produces and their farming operations achieve success. New technology seems to be released every day that is specifically geared toward helping farmers. But how do you or your tenant farmers stay updated with technology when trying to keep track of every shiny […]
110-plus years of serving farmers
Combined, John Cotton and Gary Grave have nearly 110 years of combined experience in the farm management industry and since 1982, the two men have worked side-by-side at Cotton-Grave serving regional agriculture owner-clients in a variety of capacities. This year, the agency itself celebrates 60 years in Spencer. “The quality of today’s farmer is outstanding […]
How farmers can plan for financial challenges
Farm income in the U.S. has been under a lot of pressure as of late. From the global pandemic, to ongoing trade issues, to natural disasters, farmers have had to weather plenty of challenges to their operations in 2020. Of course, this is not the first time farmers have had to overcome hurdles that lead to financial challenges. […]