David Kohl

Contributing Writer at Farm Progress

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Articles

A century of agricultural resilience

1 day ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

When my neighbor, Bob, shared his weathered hands across the fence line, I shook hands with living history—a man whose eyes had witnessed the ravages of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic when three of his brothers died while he survived a 106-degree fever. He felt the economic stranglehold of the Smoot-Hawley tariffs, endured the desperate years of the Great Depression, and survived the global chaos of both World Wars.
Six keys to sustainable success

1 week ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

A recent co-facilitation of a farmer and rancher panel yielded valuable advice for young and beginning producers as we approach the spring and summer seasons. The following insights come from experienced middle-aged and seasoned producers who shared their hard-earned wisdom:Balancing Control and Growth: The Next Generation in Family BusinessIn family business,your parents and grandparents donot owe you a living.
U.S. agriculture's divergent paths amid 2025 economic challenges

2 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

As the first quarter of 2025 concludes, American agriculture stands at a fascinating crossroads. While grain farmers, row crop producers, and specialty sectors like almonds and wine face a concerning downturn, the livestock industry—particularly beef—rides high at its market peak. Diversified producers with value-added operations connected to the broader economy continue to thrive, though their success hinges on both domestic and global markets avoiding recession.
Turbulence ahead

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

This winter, my air travel has been eventful. Ice, snow, tornadoes, and heavy turbulence have turned routine flights into restless nights and disrupted sleep. On two occasions, my flights were diverted during final approach—only to learn later from the news that runway issues had caused the detours. Interestingly, the turbulence in the skies mirrors the economic uncertainty on the ground.
8 Steps to taking over the family farm business

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

David Kohl, Contributing Writer, Farm FuturesAt a recent conference of Young and Beginning farmers and ranchers, I received this question from a participant:What advice would you give a young person taking over a family business and how would you prepare? Based on my experience, here are several guidelines that can help create a smoother transition. Work outside the family business first. Spend two to four years working for someone else, making mistakes on their time and money.
What does the next decade hold?

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

This winter, speaking events have been intermixed with weather and flight disruptions and some white knuckle interstate driving experiences. Despite these challenges, groups have been very engaging with thought-provoking questions. One of the more common questions from many of the groups is: How do you see the ag sector changing over the next five-ten years? This list, while not comprehensive, provides my viewpoints from the road.
How do you stack up in farm business?

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

David Kohl, Contributing Writer, Farm FuturesGetty images/Nikola StojadinovicRecently I finished my 33rd year serving as an educator at TEPAP, the Executive Program for Agriculture Producers held annually in Texas. This program’s participants, content, overall engagement and intent have evolved over the years. A significant trend I’ve observed is the increased participation of younger producers and agriculture executives under the age of 45.
Success is more than checking the boxes

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

In our unpredictable world of agriculture—where prices fluctuate, input costs vary, and extremes are the norm—planning is not just helpful, it is essential. Research shows that businesses with a written plan are four times more profitable. A Canadian study even found that farmers and ranchers with a solid business plan reported twice the mental resilience. The message is clear: a well-thought-out strategy is not just good for the bottom line—it is good for peace of mind, too.
Why fingerprinting has a complex relationship with addressable advertising

1 month ago | digitalcontentnext.org | David Kohl

On February 16, Google relaxed its restrictions on fingerprinting for ad targeting and user tracking across a wide range of devices. Their December 2024 announcement reignited debates about privacy, security and the role of passive device identification in digital advertising. The announcement was certainly a radical reversal from 2019, when Google said it would block fingerprinting for its lack of transparency.
The five percenter management mindset

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | David Kohl

David Kohl, Contributing Writer, Farm FuturesHow time flies as we move into the second quarter of the 21st century. For many of us, the turn-of-the-century feels like yesterday, but changing forces of technology, geopolitics, weather, and consumer and society trends in the U.S. and globally will create extreme economic volatility. The next quarter-century will require a more intensive management mindset regardless of the size or the type of agricultural business endeavor.

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