Stop Kicking the Can on Farm Succession Planning | Farmstrong Series
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Reference: Impact Farming
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Stop Kicking the Can on Farm Succession Planning | Farmstrong Series
Farm succession is one of the most important conversations in agriculture, yet it's also one of the easiest for farm families to put off.
But what happens when the unexpected occurs? What happens when the person making all the key decisions is suddenly unable to run the operation? And what happens when years of hard work, family relationships, and the future of the farm are left without a clear plan?
In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, as part of our ongoing Farmstrong series, I'm joined by Rob Saik and Derryn Shrosbree for an important conversation about farm succession, transition, and continuity planning.
Both grew up on farms, founded their own companies, and have spent years working alongside farmers. They also bring personal experiences with farm succession that weren't necessarily positive, giving them a unique perspective on why these conversations matter.
We explore why Derryn prefers the term continuity planning, what it means for farm families, and why planning for the future needs to happen long before retirement is on the horizon.
We also dig into whether larger or more business-minded farm operations are better at planning, the consequences of having no continuity plan, and how decisions around technology, debt, expansion, and investment can impact the next generation.
And because farm succession is about more than paperwork and business structures, we explore the push and pull between generations, balancing the goals of today's farm owners with the ambitions and security of those who will carry the operation forward.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Rob and Derryn's personal experiences with farm succession and what they wish had been different.
- The difference between succession, transition, and continuity planning.
- Why continuity planning deserves more attention in agriculture.
- Whether larger and more business-focused farms are better at planning for the future.
- The financial, legal, and family consequences of not having a continuity plan.
- Why younger farmers need to plan for the unexpected, too.
- How technology, debt, expansion, and investment decisions affect long-term farm sustainability.
- Balancing the current generation's goals with the next generation's ambitions.
- Practical lessons and advice for farm families who haven't started the conversation.
We also finish with a few personal questions for Rob and Derryn about the books that have shaped their thinking, experiences that have profoundly moved them, and what they're most excited about right now.
Continuity planning is about protecting what you've built, preparing for what you can't predict, and giving the next generation a stronger foundation to build upon.
Don't keep kicking the can down the road. Start the conversation.
Thanks for tuning in,
Tracy Brunet
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🔗Resources & Links:
Farmstrong works with farming families on financial planning and strategies to help them protect their assets and plan for the future.
Connect with Farmstrong to learn more about its services and discuss your family's financial planning needs.
🌐 https://farmstrong.ca
📧 derryn@farmstrong.ca
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More with Derryn Shrosbee:
Explore all of Derryn's previous segments on The Impact Farming Show
This episode is part of our Farmstrong Series on The Impact Farming Show, where we explore the financial, business, and succession issues facing Canadian farm families.
If you enjoyed this conversation, explore Derryn’s other episodes for more practical succession planning insights, family transition strategies, and actionable advice to help secure your farm’s future, with more conversations with Derryn coming in future episodes of The Impact Farming Show.
2. Farm Succession Across the Globe: What Farmers Are Facing Right Now - Panel Discussion
🎧🎥 https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=614
3. Simplifying Farm Succession: A New Approach for Canadian Farm Families
🎧🎥 https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=619
4. The Future Won't Wait: Building Stronger Farm Transitions This Summer with Derryn Shrosbree
6. 10 Siblings, One Farm & The Succession Conversations That Matter | Farmstrong Series
🎧🎥 https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=642
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About the Guests:
Derryn Shrosbree
Founder of 33seven and Farmstrong.png)
For the past 16 years, Derryn has focused on building financial freedom for farmers in Canada. His mission is to protect the Canadian farmer from risk and tax.
He worked in Tokyo and on Wall Street for five years each, structuring and trading credit derivatives, before shifting his expertise to farm continuity planning.
Born in South Africa, Derryn completed an undergraduate degree in mathematics, an honours degree in Australia and earned a Master of Science in mathematics from the London School of Economics.
He lives with his family on a market garden farm 1 hour north of Guelph. The farm markets vegetables directly to restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area.
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Rob Saik
Founder and CEO of T1 Technology Corporation
Robert Saik is a distinguished agrologist, entrepreneur, and international consultant with over forty years of experience in the agriculture industry. In 2021, he was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Most Influential Agriculture Leaders and one of Canada’s Top 10 Ag Mentors.
He is the founder and CEO of T1 Technology Corporation which is the developer of AGvisorPRO a global mobile connectivity platform for agriculture as well as visorPRO.ai a solution leverage AI in the farm equipment and construction sectors.
Robert has worked with prominent figures, including Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Bill Gates, and was one of only three private citizens to address the 2020 FAO-UN High Level Special Event on agriculture sustainability.
He is the author of “FOOD 5.0: How We Feed the Future,” which explores the evolution of agriculture and the impact of technology. Robert's newspaper column, prAGmatic, focuses on sustainable agriculture. He has founded over 15 companies in farming, agriretail, distribution, media, and ag tech, including AGvisorPRO and visorPRO®.
Robert's first book, “The Agriculture Manifesto,” was a 2014 Best of Amazon Books, and his TEDx Talk, “Will Agriculture be Allowed to Feed 9 Billion People?” has over 170,000 views. He is also the executive producer of Know Ideas Media, a company addressing GMO use in food production.
In addition to his business ventures, Robert has established scholarships at the University of Alberta and Olds College and serves on several boards, including Proteum Energy. He is an advisor to Olds College, a member of the A100, Strategic Coach, Singularity University, and Abundance 360, and a partner in Perigro Venture Partners.
Robert has received numerous awards, including the Provincial Distinguished Agrologist of the Year (2006) and Canadian Agri-Marketer of the Year (2016).
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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
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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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