Running a farm both on the field and in the office are two separate businesses

Running a successful farm takes a lot of hard work both in the fields and in the office.

Leaders at Hebert Grain Ventures tell aginfo.net that farmers should view their operations as separate businesses.

“You run two [businesses],” said Kristjan Hebert. “You run a farm operation, and you run a real estate business. Understand the numbers on both of those. It’s no different than, you know, Walmart sells stuff and they have a building. If you have a hotel, you need it to be full. So, is your farm profitable? Is your real estate operation profitable? Yes, they’re at different rates. Then, how much cash flow does your farm operation have, and how much equity does your real estate operation have? You need to know both of those numbers because your real estate equity allows you to buy land, and your cash flow from your farm allows you to pay for it.”

Hebert says knowing that information will make lending requests a lot smoother.

Related Stories
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom shares how recent trade talks are influencing U.S. red meat global sales and the importance of key trade agreements like the USMCA.
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig recaps discussions surrounding a potential federal aid package for farmers and shares insights on producer sentiment in the Heartland.
Winter weather will challenge livestock producers working to rebuild their herds despite harsh conditions.
A court decision that overturns Enlist labels would remove two major herbicides from use and reshape EPA’s future mitigation policies for other pesticides.
Rural businesses report softer sales, tougher hiring, and restrained investment — a backdrop that can pinch farm support capacity even if posted prices cool.
Friday’s release will be the first WASDE report in about two months, and early estimates indicate a corn surplus is still on the way.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Wed, 11/19/25 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT
As we continue our Countdown to Convention sponsored by Culver’s, we see how FFA helps students and alums like Kat Walker build skills for life through ag education.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Bernt Nelson provides an updated outlook on the current U.S. cattle market.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses the status of USDA disaster aid, including delays to Stage 2 of the SDRP program, and what farmers should watch for as lawmakers negotiate an end to the government shutdown.
Taryn Fischels, Product Marketing Manager for Precision Upgrades at John Deere, joins us to share a sneak peek of her chat with FarmHER’s Kirbe Schnoor on the Dirt Diaries podcast.
Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.