This episode takes a unique approach to ag finance: “Think like a lender. Act like an investor. Farm like an operator.” Jake explains how sophisticated lenders and institutional investors evaluate farming operations differently than producers often evaluate themselves. The discussion challenges farmers to step back and ask an important question: “If your farm walked into your office asking for a loan… would you approve it?” We break down: What lenders actually look at first when evaluating an operation What separates a “bankable” farm from a risky one Why consistency and decision-making discipline matter more than acres alone How lenders think in terms of risk while farmers often think in bushels The conversation introduces a practical framework for understanding farm financial health through three key buckets: Liquidity — Can you survive? Working capital Cash flow flexibility Burn rate management Equity — Can you withstand shocks? Land values Leverage ratios Collateral strength Efficiency — Can you win long-term? Cost structure ROI on assets Decision quality Jake also explains why institutional investors continue to value farmland as an asset class, what they see in agricultural real estate, and whether current farmland prices are sustainable. Additional topics include: Whether farmland is overpriced, fairly valued, or still undervalued What could actually cause land values to decline Why farmland may remain strong while farm cash flow weakens Long-term land financing versus operating lines Flexible financing structures and matching debt to asset life How growth-oriented operations approach lending differently What top-tier operators are doing differently in today’s economy Conversations successful operators are having with lenders right now The episode also explores how data, performance analysis, and decision-making tools used in athletics and business could transform financial management in agriculture. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: [email protected]/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.