Farm Credit Bank of Texas’ Post

Decoding the Gates Agri-Empire: A recent article takes a closer look at the $113 million Nebraska farmland saga. Unearth the intricacies of Bill Gates' stealthy acquisition spree, meticulously veiled behind 20 shell companies sprawled across three states. From Willowdale Farms to Mt. Edna, explore the unassuming names concealing Gates' 20,000 acres in 19 counties. Delve into the controversial 'buy-borrow-die' strategy, where Gates, the world's former richest man, takes out a staggering $700 million loan against Nebraska farmland. Beyond the financial maneuvers, examine the unnoticed shifts in local dynamics, as Gates' stealthy investments reshape the landscape and stir concerns about the future of farming in the heartland. Learn more in the full article: https://lnkd.in/eKuqbhFk

Why farmers and ranchers come to me for their farm/ranch transition help: 1. They know my agriculture background, and want to work with someone that understands and supports what they’re navigating. 2. They’ve been procrastinating, and finally a health scare caused them to pony up and start actually doing some planning. 3. Taxes. Always taxes. 4. They had a bad estate planning experience, either from parents or grandparents. They don’t want their kids to whether the same storm they had. 5. They know that farming and ranching has changed, and they want to give the next generation the best chance to succeed. The thing is, procrastination and needing to focus on the day to day are the biggest reasons why farmers and ranchers do NOT start planning. You may be procrastinating your farm straight into bankruptcy. It’s not an easy process, but I hope that agricultural attorneys and I can provide the guidance you need to navigate how to create a successful plan that Keeps the farm AND the family together. #agriculture #agestateplanning #farmtransitions #ranchtransitions #familybusiness

"What does a bank and a commercial laboratory have in common with your cattle operation? The answer is family values. Dr. Ray Ward founded Ward Laboratories Inc. on honesty, integrity and the vision to rebuild and support rural communities. Jon Schmaderer, president of Tri-County Bank, expressed in a recent interview that their organization also shares a goal to support and grow rural communities through banking upholding values of integrity, transparency and teamwork...." Read more about a banker's perspective on how our services are linked to your resource management including financial success in this Progressive Forage article!

New from Tim Bupp, Shareholder and Chair of the Estate Planning practice group: Estate Planning for Farm Families Part 3: Economic Tools for the Farm Estate Plan. A good estate plan for a farm family needs to recognize and take advantage of the various tools available for protecting the farm operation and aiding farm family succession. Our Commonwealth has recognized the importance of farming to our communities, and has created a number of beneficial programs that can aid family farmers to continue the farming operation into the next generation. This article describes only a few of those beneficial programs. Continue reading by clicking here https://lnkd.in/eGdq3P33......

Rural law practitioners - this webinar could be one for you!

"American values threatened by farm losses, USDA chief says" Very interesting article. So many of our challenges in farming, ranching and rural America are so closely intertwined and connected that they cannot be addressed separately. These issues are important to me as a Land Broker, a property rights advocate and as a resident of rural America. One of the challenges we face is impressing upon urban and corporate America that these are issues that affect our entire nation. https://lnkd.in/g2b9BXpk

Piggy Bank: Lessons in Patience and Prosperity Did you know the tradition of filling up a piggy bank before breaking it mirrors waiting for a pig to fully grow before harvesting? It teaches us patience, maximizing returns, and respecting resources. Let's embrace the wisdom of waiting for the right moment to capitalize on our resources. #FinancialWisdom #Patience #SavingsJourney

PRODUCER SENTIMENT, FARMLAND VALUE EXPECTATIONS, AND FARM FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE — by Michael Langemeier and James Mintert Farmland is by far and away the largest asset on most farm balance sheets. At the U.S. level, farmland accounts for over 80% of all total farm assets. Given the importance of farmland prices to the financial health of farms, it is useful to explore factors that impact farmland price expectations. This farmdoc daily article examines the relationship between producer sentiment, farmland value expectations, and farm financial performance. Producer sentiment and farm financial performance expectations were related to short-term farmland price expectations, but not long-term expectations. Respondents who expect farmland prices to increase in the next 5 years tend to think that farmland is a good investment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/geq4X2EB #farmland #assets #prices #financial #investments #sentiment

Discover the importance of crop insurance in supporting our farmers and ranchers. Watch the testimonial video now! https://bit.ly/3v5iO9M #protectcropinsurance #farm #agriculture

Here at County National Bank, we recognize the importance of agriculture. Here are 3 tips for young and beginning Farmers: 1. Develop a business and marketing plan. You will work smarter and improve your odds when you focus and organize your goals. 2. Decide on what type of operation you want to run. New farmers should either be very efficient, low-cost producers or should add value that someone else will pay for. 3. Ask your banker about how to get access to state and federal credit enhancement programs.