Even though we’re freshly in 2025, farmers need to think ahead to the coming years

As farmers prepare for next season, there is a lot to consider.

The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers says you need to think long term.

“Yeah, what I’m focused on is thinking beyond not only ’25 but into ’26 or ’27. We can’t just assume that things are going to bottom in and bounce back quickly. So, for my clients, we’re really looking at their farm operations, their land holdings, and deciding what’s most efficient, where we’re maybe losing some efficiencies and some returns and kind of making plans around that. They focus on getting back to the basics of marketing, along with a lot of farmers I deal with. You know, a lot of us would admit that the good times kind of got us spoiled on the thinking things would never change, and so we kind of got away from some of the basics of blocking and tackling for a football analogy. But basics and marketing are planning to go beyond ’25,” said George Baird.

Baird also says it is important to not rely on a new Farm Bill. While progress is being made on Capitol Hill, he says no one can assume when a five-year deal will be reached.

Related Stories
Tyler Schuster is an ag industry advocate who mentors and supports the next generation, especially women finding their place in the cattle industry.
NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what cattle producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and John Rose (R-TN), who say bipartisan cooperation will be key to getting the Farm Bill to the president’s desk.
The EPA has approved over-the-top dicamba applications for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, outlining new rules that impact herbicide use for U.S. crop producers.
Top issues facing the beef industry took center stage at CattleCon this year in Nashville.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Quinn Rutt of Upstream Ranch previews the Nebraska cattle operation’s 49th Annual Production Sale where buyers can expect standout sire groups and a blend of long-standing ranch practices with modern genetic selection.
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.
Jessi Grote from the AgriSafe Network provides winter safety guidance for rural communities still recovering from the recent winter storm.
CattleCon 2026 officially kicks off Tuesday and continues through Thursday, bringing producers together to shape the future of the U.S. cattle industry.
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.