Make the best out of options
by Ernie Verslues, MFA President and CEO
Ability, motivation and attitude are three keys to being your whole-farm solution.
This edition of Today’s Farmer covers December/January, a span of time that the agriculture industry typically uses to analyze data and performance from the past year. From there, it’s on to develop plans for the coming year.
Team MFA is busy partnering with you to get this accomplished.
There is frequent conversation about whether there has ever been a time with more uncertainty and volatility than right now. The list of reasons is long, so to be brief:
changes in agriculture bring new issues every year. What really matters is how we prepare our operations with the information we have.
The industry needs clarity on key policies and programs that will impact profitability for all of us. MFA staff and the board continue to work through ag groups to communicate a sense of urgency to our legislative body. A wish list for immediate attention includes:
• An update to the Farm Bill that expired in 2023 and is operating on extensions. We need adjustments to risk management programs, particularly reference prices and crop and livestock insurance to reflect current conditions.
• Extension of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD) and key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, including bonus depreciation and estate tax exemptions critical for family farm transferrals.
• Regulatory common-sense decisions and clarity on chemistry vital to protecting crops.
• Infrastructure improvements to rail, water and highways.
• Biofuel mandates and credits.
• Commitment on conservation and sustainability practice requirements.
Unfortunately, the list isn’t new to us. And, clarity isn’t likely to come before making final plans for next season. In that light, it’s good to recall an old saying, “Don’t make plans, make options.” That way, we can focus on what we can control and pivot when needed. From my perspective, options come from our approach to the task at hand.
Lou Holtz is an accomplished football coach best known for his years coaching Notre Dame. He often shared three words with his players and team: Ability-Motivation-Attitude. That’s a great message when it comes to addressing the things an organization can control.
Ability is what we are capable of doing: How do we best capitalize on limited resources, both monetary and in human capital?
Motivation determines what we do: How do we structure our operations, equipment and staff and use industry partnerships to maximize value?
“Ability, motivation and attitude are three keys to being your whole-farm solution.”
Attitude determines how well we do it: Are we partners in your operation? Are we delivering solutions for combined success?
As agriculture continues to evolve, MFA must keep pace with or stay ahead of change. That will continue to look different because agriculture looks different. MFA’s executive vice president of operations, Jason Weirich, shared a comment with me that he heard at a recent industry meeting, “Technology won’t replace you. Someone using technology will.”
We have some really good technology right now that powers equipment and facilities, drives precision agronomy practices and provides different ways for producers to communicate with our team. We will make the best of all of them. We know that ability, motivation and attitude are three keys to being your whole-farm solution.
From our team to you, may you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.