David Kohl

3 days 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.

1 week 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.

2 weeks 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.

4 weeks 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.

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.