COMMON GROUND BLOG

Find trends and outlooks, education and more on financing rural America from Farm Credit Services of America.

Apr 22, 2024 | The Business of Agriculture

Economic data increasingly points to interest rates staying higher longer. Financial efficiency will be critical in the year ahead, and we step you through three ratios that will help you focus on the right areas of your farm or ranch.

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Sep 13, 2021 | Crop Insurance

Margin Protection: Risk Management for Price and Cost Changes

Margin Protection reduces risk better than any other subsidized product on the market, especially for those whose yields are consistent with or higher than the county in which they farm.

Aug 24, 2021 | The Business of Agriculture

Cap Rate Calculator: Streamlined for Ease of Use

Three required fields – purchase price, cash rent and property taxes – deliver information for better buying decisions.

Jul 23, 2021 | The Business of Agriculture

Moving Beyond "Know Your Costs of Production"

Learn more about how to factor cash flow, accounting and economic costs into your management decisions.

Jun 25, 2021 | The Business of Agriculture

Return on Investment

Learn more about what ROI means, how it is calculated and how to integrate it into the decision-making process.

May 21, 2021 | The Business of Agriculture

The Economics of Family Living

Our latest webinar covered easy-to-overlook expenses, tips for measuring and tracking family living and benchmarks to consider.

Apr 19, 2021 | The Business of Agriculture

Side by Side Digital: The Art of the Side Hustle

Our latest educational offering aimed at young and beginning producers looks at key steps for ensuring a side hustle is a good investment of your time and resources.

Apr 8, 2020 | The Business of Agriculture

Three Tools for Better Decision-Making

“Being price takers, not price makers, being weather takers, not weather makers, we need to focus on those things that we can control.” Christa Wilson, RVP for our related services.

Mar 27, 2020 | The Business of Agriculture

Steps for Managing COVID-19 Uncertainty

A guide to managing market volatility, potential supply chain disrupters and more in this era of COVID-19.

Jan 21, 2020 | Crop Insurance

Indemnity Payments for 2019 - A Measure of Crop Insurance's Value

"This gives you an idea how important crop insurance can be in helping producers meet their obilgations." Tony Jesina - FCSAmerica SVP for insurance

Dec 23, 2019 | The Business of Agriculture

Lessons Learned in 2019 You Can Apply to 2020

Economists Brent Gloy and David Widmar talked with Chad Gent, our senior vice president of credit, about lessons learned from the past year.

Oct 28, 2019 | The Business of Agriculture

Get a Handle on Farm Machinery Investments

When you are planning to buy equipment, consider the economics and be sure you are making the purchase for the right reasons.

May 30, 2019 | The Business of Agriculture

Understanding Luck vs. Good-Decision Making to Become a Better Farm Manager

“Good decisions can have bad outcomes,” says ag economist David Widmar, “and bad decisions can have good outcomes.”

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FCSAmerica serves farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. For inquiries outside this geography, use the Farm Credit Association Locator  to contact your local office.