David Kohl

David Kohl is professor emeritus at Virginia Tech. He travels the U.S. as an agriculture “Road Warrior,” speaking about ag finances, trends and outlooks. As a regular columnist for Corn & Soybean Digest, Kohl lends his insight to farm management, specifically the financial end of farm management.

Feb. 3, 2012

gallery

Rural Weird

Is there a landmark you direct people to because they just have to see it? Does your neighbor have an obnoxious mailbox? What do you drive by that makes you chuckle every time? Take a photo and email it to csd@csdigest.com and we’ll add them to our Rural Weird album!
Feb. 1, 2012

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Manage Input Costs With the 80/20 Rule

What a difference a decade makes! Corn prices are up 300%, but so, too, are your two largest input expenses: land and fertilizer. For most of you, the 2012 grain crop will be the most expensive you’ve ever grown. On the other hand, profits also are up by 300%, to an estimated $75-150 profit/acre....More
Feb. 1, 2012

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Raise the Bar: Proactive and Progressive | Risk Management Drives Most Long-Term Decisions at JCS Family Farms

Can you trace a kernel of your corn back to its field, seed lot and agronomic program? Can you delegate field operations to free your time for marketing and risk management?...More
Jan. 27, 2012

Article

Customer Accounts and MF Global Bankruptcy

MF Global failed on Oct. 31, 2011, producing the eighth-largest bankruptcy in U.S. history and the largest commodity brokerage collapse of all time. While this is not the first time a major brokerage firm has failed, what sets MF Global apart is the fact that $1.2 billion in customer funds were missing at the time of the failure, and still remain missing three months later. This shortfall affects approximately 38,000 futures brokerage accounts, a large percentage of which were held by individuals and entities in the agricultural sector....More
Jan. 20, 2012

Article

Farm Lease Termination How-To

Many farm leases, especially those between family members, are not written but are verbal "handshake" agreements. Because nothing is in writing, the parties may have different recollections of their agreement, making lease disputes more difficult to resolve. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. For unwritten leases, six months advance notice must be given to legally terminate the lease. In contrast, the termination of a written lease is determined by the terms of the written lease. If nothing is specified, a written lease terminates automatically on the last day of the lease with no automatic renewal....More
Jan. 20, 2012

Article

Beginning Farmer Land Contract Program Launches

As of Jan. 3, 2012, the Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher Land Contract Guarantee Program is available nationwide. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued the final rule for this farm bill program in December 2011....More
Jan. 11, 2012

Article

Farm Transition Planning: Focus on Long-Term Farm Needs

You’re involved in the day-to-day operation of your farm – making decisions, meeting deadlines, planning for next year. You’re up to your ears in machinery maintenance, input purchases and marketing – not to mention getting this season’s crop harvested. That’s why it can be challenging to step back from the fires you’re putting out today to think about a bigger picture: your farm’s legacy....More
Jan. 1, 2012

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Learning the Hard Way Farming in Africa

Weather is a challenge that every farmer faces. In Illinois, it rains throughout the year, some months more than others, but usually it rains a few times per month. This is not the case in Ghana where I farm....More
Jan. 1, 2012

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Constantly Connected | Social Media, Mobile Technology Help Boost Farm Productivity

Mike Haley marks the fifth generation on his family’s farm in West Salem, OH, but he’s hardly old school when it comes to technology. He’s part of a growing population of farmers who are becoming more connected through mobile technology and social media....More
Jan. 1, 2012

Article

Corn and Soybean Digest

Be Daring, Think Different

Change may not always be welcome or understood at first. But those who can find the value will benefit. All I can ask of you, a valued reader, is to keep an open mind toward change. To challenge yourself. To think different....More