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Margy Eckelkamp

Margy Eckelkamp is the brand leader for Farm Journal’s Top Producer and The Daily Scoop, specializing in business reporting for CEO farmers and agricultural professionals. She provides actionable intelligence to help operations navigate farmland dynamics, diversified revenue streams and overall profitability. Margy’s expertise spans regulatory and EPA issues, ag retail trends and tech innovations – topics she explores in depth on The Scoop podcast. Her nuanced analysis of modern business management ensures agricultural leaders are equipped to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Latest Stories
Amid uncertainty in the agricultural outlook, property experts share national and regional insights.
Two studies illuminate food prices for the holiday barbecue season.
On the surface, strong livestock prices and government payments are painting a rosy picture for the farm sector. A closer look at input costs, commodity prices and interest rates says otherwise.
“Whatever your case might be, it’s about how to help absorb potential unforeseen shocks and potential short term losses if they occur,” says John Steeves with Rabobank.
“In today’s economy, the ability to farm often depends on the ability to commute,” says Daniel Munch, economist at American Farm Bureau Federation.
“We’re only 15 days into this. It feels like a year, right?” says Matt Clark, senior rural economy analyst. “I catch myself feeling very overwhelmed by the news flow, a lot has happened in 15 days.”
“It’s unlikely that changes in tariffs will impact prices headed into the Super Bowl, however, we’ll see how it plays out in the coming weeks,” Dr. Michael Swanson says.
Former Top Producer award winners reveal their management goals for the year ahead.
In the third quarter, farm income and loan repayment rates weakened.
John Newton, former Senate Ag Committee economist and now executive head at Terrain, highlights three priorities and a timeframe for a final farm bill.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
Formulating your farm’s succession plan is likely not a straight line. Polly Dobbs, an Indiana attorney who is part of a seven-generation farm family, says it’s important to stay focused on your end goals.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.