Are you getting inconsistent information on what’s needed regarding ownership structure, pass-through entity reporting, and FSA’s September 15, 2026 deadline? You’re not alone. Straight Talk
It’s well after dark, and the day’s work is finally done. The machinery is parked, the cattle are fed, and the markets are closed. But
The IRS has increased the optional standard mileage rates for the second half of 2026 in response to rising fuel costs. The revised rates apply
As founder-led companies grow, simple pay arrangements can become complicated. New non-family leaders join, the next generation steps in, and the business becomes more professionalized.
Families already have several ways to save for a child’s future, from 529 plans to Roth IRAs and custodial accounts. Trump Accounts add a new
By: Emma Hill, Pinion Financial Institutions Advisor Access to reliable child care remains a major workforce challenge for Kansas employers and working families. With the
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced new actions aimed at advancing regenerative agriculture and creating additional opportunities for farmers and ranchers who implement
When evaluating farmland, producers often focus on the big-ticket items: acres, yield potential, irrigation, and price. But one factor that can materially affect the value
The much-anticipated federal regulations tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act were published June 2, 2026. The regulations update and align FSA rules with
There is a specific, frustrating paradox that hits successful businesses right as they enter their next phase of growth. On paper, revenue is up, sales
A sweeping federal rule tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is set to significantly change how agricultural producers qualify for—and maximize—USDA program
Pinion is now working with the MyAgData tool, approved by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA), to submit live coverage reports
Farm Bill Clears the House, but Senate Dynamics Cloud Its Future The House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of the farm bill (Farm, Food,
When there’s no obvious next generation to take over, how do you ensure your operation will continue to prosper after you’ve worked your final season?
Businesses around the world consider the cost and benefits of sustainability projects. Sustainability is sometimes viewed as a “cost center” — spending money without returns.
Summary of the Decision and Its Impacts In November, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether President Trump lawfully used the 1977 International
The IRS issued an increase in the standard mileage rates for business travel, effective January 1, 2026. While the IRS states that standard mileage rates
As 2026 begins, U.S. producers and ag businesses face a dynamic policy landscape marked by major legislative and regulatory changes on the horizon, creating a
California’s specialty crop growers are facing mounting climate challenges that make it more difficult to maintain productivity and manage risk. At the 2025 Sustainable Ag
Ag businesses today face the same complex mix of challenges, but it’s the forward-thinking producers that make strategic-based decisions year-round who build the most resilient,
Tighter margins and the financial stresses in agriculture have left many Ag lenders weary right now of the farm economy and the profitability outlook for
The Trump administration unveiled a $12 billion aid package on Monday for farmers affected by trade market disruptions and related economic challenges such as higher
Updated Guidance for Banks and Ag Lenders The IRS has recently issued interim guidance pertaining to Section 139L. As a reminder, the One Big Beautiful
Over the next 20 years, ownership of 40% of U.S. agricultural land is expected to change hands. This gap creates one of agriculture’s biggest challenges:
Maya Angelou’s words ring true: “You can’t really know where you’re going until you know where you have been.” It’s a truth that applies as
According to a recent study, nearly 98% of companies now disclose some form of sustainability information. This is a clear signal that data-driven accountability has
By Carolina Vargas, Ph.D., Agricultural Economist and Farm Business Management Advisor for Pinion As a leader of an agricultural commodity-based business, it is important to
By Sarah Sterling, MA, LPC Sarah Sterling is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Peak Counseling & Wellness in Colorado. Her passion for agriculture stems from
Farmers have always been each other’s best teachers. Long before formal education reached rural areas, knowledge about crops, weather, and livestock was shared over fences,
As concerns around climate change intensifies, sustainability managers across the food and agriculture sector are facing a critical challenge: how to prepare their organizations for
As companies in the food and ag sectors work to meet increasing expectations for sustainability reporting, they often encounter significant hurdles in managing the data
Farmers are no strangers to change, but 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable years yet. Global conflict, shifting trade policies,
For the food and ag sector, long-term success is often managed, in part, by building a robust sustainability strategy. And with new regional and international
Congress’s newly enacted ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, part of a $3.4 trillion fiscal package, includes sweeping legislation that will reshape how financial institutions approach
Congress recently passed a $3.4 trillion fiscal package that delivers a mix of tax cuts, farm support, and biofuel incentives. Signed into law by President
In a pivotal step toward advancing their sweeping economic agenda, Senate Republicans on Monday unveiled their version of a multitrillion-dollar tax and spending package, aiming
Automated accounting uses software to take over repetitive tasks like payroll, bookkeeping, expense tracking, and data collection. Think of it as your digital financial assistant
In today’s economy, stretching every dollar matters. But efficiency isn’t just a cost-saving tactic — it’s how ag businesses set the stage for sustainable growth.
After months of speculation, the U.S. House of Representatives has unveiled a wide-ranging tax and spending package. While still in the proposal stage, the legislation
Trade disputes, funding cuts, worker shortages, and delays in tax reform and the farm bill are impacting U.S. agriculture. Each of these policies and legislative
“After more than a decade of working with farms, livestock operations and other agribusinesses, I’ve found that the most successful entities aren’t determined by geography,
Trade disputes, funding cuts, and delays in tax reform and the farm bill are negatively impacting U.S. agriculture. Each area will have both short- and
Cash flow is king when it comes to preserving working capital and a strong balance sheet. It can be your best defense when you have
The official announcement made by President Trump on April 2 was met with a wide level of concern across many industries. Pinion advisors present a
Please note: The following information is current as of March 13, 2025, at 10:45 a.m. CT. Pinion will continue to monitor changes and create updates.
Weak commodity prices and an international trade war have inflicted pain on American agriculture – at a time when U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses can
The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017 included provisions largely viewed as positive for the agricultural sector. Many of those
Are you feeling it? The shift in purchasing power. The drive for transparency. The growing passion for food’s journey. While it’s true that climate change
On his first day in office, President Trump sought to make a significant display of his priorities by issuing dozens of executive actions. Executive orders
As the new year moves into full swing and we transition to a new administration, employers should prepare for increased immigration enforcement and significant changes
What key issues will your agricultural operation face over the next 20 years? Are your concerns in line with other producers’ worries? Farming has grown
The IRS issued an increase in the standard mileage rates for business travel, effective January 1, 2025. While the IRS states that standard mileage rates
On December 12, 2024, President Biden signed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. The law exempts from income tax qualified wildfire relief payments
Whether your leadership transition is months or years away, there are crucial steps you can take now to prepare for a successful outcome. But successful
The 2024 federal elections will have significant impacts on policies that affect U.S. food and agriculture. With election day in the rear-view mirror, it is
As producers begin their annual reflection upon the past year and shift the focus into next year, planning considerations around tax and financial strategies become
What individual farmers can do to mitigate risk in the midst of crisis: 1. Have a farm emergency action plan in writing. “Most state departments
Recovery from Hurricane Helene is well underway in the Southeast, and many farmers are struggling with decisions on what to do with damaged crops and
If you’ve previously brushed off the notion of cyber threats, it’s time to reconsider. The food and agriculture industry has just become the seventh most
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced August 14, 2024, as the deadline for commodity and specialty crop producers that suffered losses as a result
What keeps a farmer in business through droughts, rising costs, falling prices and other invisible struggles? What helps you weather through? “As an Ag marketing
The estate tax exemption doesn’t sunset until the end of 2025. So why worry about it now? Unfortunately, this historically high estate and gift tax
In recent years, securing new employees has been an overwhelming concern for businesses, with several reasons contributing to the shortage of job seekers. The pandemic
After nearly two years of rising interest rates, many farmers are tapping into their cash reserves from prosperous years to avoid taking out new loans.
The USDA Risk Management Agency offers two popular federally subsidized livestock insurance programs: Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP). The deadline for
When a piece of farm equipment breaks down, chances are slim to none that you take it to a general repair shop. If you can’t
Farmers need three key things for their business: the best price, the best quality, and the best service. All of these come at a cost
The beginning of the year is a great time to perform an overall financial check for your business. “We recommend that farm operations do this
By Quint Shambaugh, land advisor and principal at Pinion Have you considered a conservation easement? Most ranchers, farmers and landowners are no stranger to the
As the calendar year draws to a close, many farm co-ops are also approaching their fiscal year-ends. As a co-op CEO, now is a good
6 in 10 Americans have a retirement account, while only 1 in 3 have an estate plan. While the majority of Americans see the importance
As a farm manager, you’ve invested in high-tech field equipment like GPS tractor systems, efficient irrigation systems and automated milking parlors to make your life
Across the U.S., farmers are feeling the pinch of a shrinking workforce. Between competition from other industries, an aging workforce population, and other factors, farmers
Ask any successful family business leader “What is your most important accomplishment?” The overwhelming response is: ‘my legacy’. And yet, only one in six have
In light of the recent cyberattack that shut down Dole’s North American production, businesses are reminded once again of the importance of cybersecurity and keeping
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the leading international standard setting body for GHG accounting and reporting. In September of 2022, the GHG Protocol
In December 2022, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Montréal with a focus
This year has been anything but conventional, and the lending environment is trending the same. We are seeing decades-high inflation and interest rates as high
With planting and input decisions already heavy on their minds, ag businesses are asking how they should manage their decisions around raised input costs and
As the world strives towards a zero-carbon economy, more than 4,000 businesses worldwide have committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the Science-Based Target
AB 157, signed into law by Gov. Newsom on September 27, 2022, includes the creation of the “California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program”,
On August 16, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The $750 billion law contains funding for health care and climate and
Like many growers and livestock producers, you’ve probably vowed to keep up with technology, at least to some extent. You’ve heard that technology can help
On Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 10:30 am eastern standard time, KCoe Isom, the Mann Deshi Foundation, and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum will host
Under the USDA’s Farm Service Agency new disaster program, Emergency Relief Program (ERP), producers who lost crops, trees, bushes, and vines due to qualifying disaster
A multi-generational (six-generation) agriculture business that had been passed down from parents to their three sons engaged a succession planning expert. The three sons were
Technology has been empowering agriculture since machines replaced the ox and plow. Consider what GPS-guided tractors, moisture tracking sensors, plant genetics, and livestock breeding have
Until now, farmers and ranchers faced a roadblock between the key metrics they could collect and how to truly use them. The good news is
Both ag producers and consumers are moving towards a shared goal of water, soil, and yield stewardship. To this end, ag businesses are trying to
Farmers and ranchers don’t have to look far to find income opportunities. Revenue opportunities are often literally on the ground beneath their feet. As landowners,
Rarely has U.S. agriculture been at such a pivotal, transformative era. Globally, and here in the U.S., the world’s major governments, food companies, and the
Changes in land ownership and the farming workforce are unfolding across U.S. agriculture. Among key drivers, of course, is the aging population of American farmers
Negotiating wind and solar leases can be complicated. The contract language must define provisions a farm or ranch can live with for two or more
From Ag trade and government agencies to the farmers prepping fields for Spring planting, there is one certainty stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine:
Food and fiber aren’t the only commodities U.S. farmers and ranchers will bring to market in the next decade. Look for solar and wind ventures
Over the past few years, U.S. agriculture has seen more women coming back to join their family farms. “Women have realized it takes brains, not
What a year it’s been for carbon markets. The subject has really taken the food and agriculture industry by storm. After many months of discussion,
President Biden recently signed into law the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that has been stalled in Congress for several months. Below is a summary
With the fourth quarter of 2021 already in progress and harvest season behind us, now is a great time to perform an overall financial checks
