Overcoming Challenges as a Next Generation Rancher

I spent the weekend at the Illinois Beef Association Summer Conference, where I presented a workshop, "Table Truths in a New York Minute." The theme this year is “Reclaiming our Legacy,” and I was joined on the program by several dynamic speakers including radio personality, Trent Loos, Masters of Beef Advocacy trainer, Daren Williams, and world economic policy analyst, Ross Korves. Hot topics of the event were climate change legislation, HSUS agenda, global market economics and agriculture advocacy. Throughout the conference, I met a group of incredibly dynamic individuals, including father-son due, Dale and Cliff Pfundstein of Sterling, IL. Cliff has returned home to the family's cattle operation, and they detailed the many challenges facing multi-generation ranches. Listen to what they have to say about this topic.

The Pfundsteins identified that finding enough income to add a new partner and communicating ideas are the two biggest challenges facing mult-generation farms. What challenges do you face in your operation? How do we overcome those challenges?

BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Very few young people become farmers today; only 6% of all farmers are under the age of 35 in the United States agriculture industry today.