Women Landowners Ag Conference Highlights Farm Succession Planning

Oct 13, 2022

By Julie Harker

Passing a farm to the next generation will be a key topic at the 21st annual Women Landowners Ag Conference, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in Concordia, Mo.

The conference, started by the USDA Farm Service Agency and University of Missouri Extension, provides information to women of all ages who have to make management decisions on their farms, said Katie Neuner, MU Extension agricultural business specialist.

“Farm succession planning is always a popular topic,” Neuner said. “It’s the plan to leave your legacy to future generations. While most family farmers want to leave their farm to a family member, we have not properly prepared the next generation to take over.”

According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, the average age of on-farm decision-makers is 59, and 66% of primary farm producers are 65 or older.

“We hope our conference participants will learn some valuable tools to use as they think about their own succession plans,” Neuner said.

This year’s keynote speaker is Rena Striegel, president of Transition Point Business Advisors(opens in new window), which provides farm succession planning services through The DIRTT Project(opens in new window) (Dedicated Internal Resource for Training and Transition). Striegel, who grew up on a dairy and hog farm in What Cheer, Iowa, is a certified business coach and holds an MBA from the University of Iowa. In addition to her hands-on work with business owners, she is a frequent contributor to farming publications such as Top Producer Magazine, Progressive Forage, Farm Journal and Cattle Business Weekly.

Other workshop topics include pasture renovation, which can help remedy issues resulting from drought. Small farm businesses will also benefit from marketing tips, Neuner said. Participants can learn about USDA programs from representatives of several different agencies.

“If you are just beginning or have been farming your entire life, there is something for everyone,” she said.

Source : missouri.edu

Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.