Farm Transition: How Do You Plan for Tomorrow When Today Feels Impossible?

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In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, I tackle one of the hardest realities facing Canadian farm families today: how do you even think about transition planning when you’re just trying to survive?

Margins are tight. Input costs are soaring. Grain prices are weak, and the cost of cattle is through the roof. While many others are upside down and facing a tough reality due to uncertainty of government policy and trade wars. For many, it feels nearly impossible to look beyond the next season.

But here’s the truth: planning for the future isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. Transition planning isn’t just about retirement, it’s about protecting your farm, your family, and your legacy against the unexpected.

You’ll hear:

• Why transition planning actually supports farm survival during tough times.

• How to rethink what “transition” really means.
   
• What Tracy means by "the generational clock is ticking."

• The urgency of the next decade:
  • A May 2025 University of Alberta study shows 88% of Canadian farmers don’t have a formal succession plan.
  • By 2033, 60% of farmers will be over 65.
  • Two-thirds of Canadian farms have no succession plan, and 85% of retiring farmers haven’t identified a successor.

• Practical, low-cost steps you can take today to start—even if you feel like you can’t afford the time or money.

• Why starting small now can prevent family conflict, secure financing, and safeguard the farm’s future.

This conversation is about farming dreams and keeping the family farm alive for generations to come. Transition planning isn’t about someday—it’s about making sure your farm can weather both today’s storms and tomorrow’s unknowns.

Tune in for strategies, stories, and hope for farm families who feel stuck between survival and succession.

I hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I enjoyed creating this episode.

Thanks for tuning in friend,

Tracy

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🔗 Resources & Links

• Farm Succession Planning Checklist https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/free_resources
• More episodes on farm transition & family dynamics: The Impact Farming Show Archives
• Farm Marketer – Canada’s Top Ag Media Platform: FarmMarketer.com

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⚠️ Disclaimer - As always, this information is not intended to provide business or medical advice. To ensure that your own circumstances have been properly considered and that action is taken based on the latest information available, you should obtain professional advice from qualified business or medical professionals before acting on any of the information in this post.
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The Impact Farming Show

Welcome to Impact Farming, Farm Marketer's video and audio show dedicated to helping Canadian farmers excel in the business of farming. Our goal with this show is to introduce our audience to the people and ideas that are going to make an IMPACT on their farming operation. 

Show Host - Tracy Brunet
CEO of Farm Marketer 

Tracy and her husband are cattle ranchers in South East, Manitoba. As host of the show, primary producer and agvocate, Tracy is passionate about helping farmers succeed in the business of farming. 

In each episode, Tracy chats with today's most successful farm advisors and industry leaders to bring our audience the best and most important ideas. 

Connect with Tracy Brunet - Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Linked in

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