Is It Time To Retire From Farming?

Oct 2, 2014

How to Retire From Farming

Is it time to retire from farming?  Is it time to have a farming exit strategy?

It’s been a heck of a run for farmers, but for those who don’t plan to be farming a decade from now, this may be a good time to develop an exit strategy.

Heresy, you say! Maybe. But before you start gathering sticks to burn me at the stake, here are some realities to consider. If you’re planning to farm another 10 years and you’re in a financial position to ride out a few rough years, this probably doesn’t apply to you. But if you plan to scale back or even retire in the next four or five years, it may be a different story.

Today we have more farmers than ever beyond retirement age, many have put off retirement because of the excellent market of the past few years and sacrificed some of the things they wanted including more time with family, fishing, travel or just some well deserved relaxation!

During the last few years, farmers have managed to do well despite a period during which we’ve been alternately hit with drought and excess water. When crops were small, we’ve been bailed out by crop insurance and record high commodity prices. Meanwhile, our land was appreciating at double digit rates, China was buying more corn than we could produce, and cash rents rose steadily.

So now, we finally have what we’ve been hoping for: Good weather and a big crop. And what do we get for it? Three dollar corn!

  • Farmers face several challenges that didn’t seem like such a big deal when corn was selling for $8:
  • Costs have risen sharply in recent years. Farmers are paying high prices for seed, fertilizer, pesticide and fuel. And let’s not even talk about the cost of new equipment!
  • Interest rates can’t stay near zero forever, and the Federal Reserve Bank is finally winding down its “quantitative easing” policy, which has kept easy, cheap money available. Farm debt remains low, but at some point, farmers will find themselves needing to borrow for equipment. Interest on credit lines will creep up on existing debt.
  • International demand has grown less dependable, as China continues to aggressively inspect shipments and refuse those that include an unapproved but widely used Syngenta modification. By at least one industry estimate cited by the Wall Street Journal, exports to China are down by 85% compared to a year ago.
  • Public pressure on genetically modified products is real and is taking its toll regardless of the scientific merits of the anti-GMO arguments. General Mills has taken genetically modified products out of Cheerios, though stockholders recently rejected a measure to extend that ban to the entire product line. This kind of market factor introduces risks we never had to worry about before.
  • China is aggressively buying farmland in foreign countries and building the worlds largest grain storage facilities to ensure their food supply is not interrupted.

Meanwhile, farmers are sitting on land that remains within spitting distance of all-time highs. Many farmers are enjoying huge increases in their net worth. But despite the remarkable stability of farmland values, anything that goes up can go down if the factors that drove it up change too dramatically.

That’s why this is a good time for farmers who are nearing the end of their careers to begin turning their land and equipment into cash that can secure their future.  There are always better times than others to cash in, the winter of 2014 seems to be the best in our history. This doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Some may elect to sell some of their land and scale back their operations (and risk). Some will find it attractive to sell their land and lease it back.  The options for your exit strategy are varied and plentiful.

Many will find that, after evaluating these factors, there’s no need to change anything. Others will see a need to make major changes, up to and including retirement or a career transition. The important thing is to look at the big picture and make informed choices rather than simply plodding along.

We can help you shape your exit strategy with the best options available today.  We offer listings and auction products with a full range of options including live and online auctions.  We are experts in the marketing of farmland, farm equipment and related farm assets. Give us a call at 855-376-3478.

Jason J Smith

Jason J Smith

Auctioneer & Land Broker

Jason is an experienced farmland broker and auctioneer with extensive experience in farmland sales across this Midwest.  Jason has worked with hundreds of clients to create advantageous outcomes.  If you are selling land schedule a consultation with Jason by calling or using the calendar.

Phone: 515-537-6633

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Whether you’re ready to start the selling process, or even remotely curious, we will gladly provide you with a FREE Market Analysis! If you are in a position to sell land in the Midwest, we want to help you achieve the top of the market on your sale.

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