The Conversations That Can Change Your Farm’s Future with Peter Manness
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Reference: Impact Farming
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The Conversations That Can Change Your Farm’s Future with Peter Manness
Farm succession planning isn't just about deciding who gets the farm. It’s about getting the family talking.
In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy sits down with Peter Manness, P.Ag., Farm Management Consultant with MNP, to talk about one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of farm transition planning: communication.
Peter has more than 20 years of experience working with agricultural producers and helps farm families navigate business planning, financial planning and farm transition planning.
Together, Tracy and Peter explore why families can struggle to have conversations about the future, the assumptions parents and children can make about one another, and why avoiding difficult conversations today can create much bigger problems tomorrow.
Peter also shares five questions he recommends families start asking when they don't know where to begin—including questions about expectations, future participation in the farm, family members' roles, the farm's legacy and meaningful personal belongings.
Most importantly, Peter challenges the idea that succession planning is about creating the perfect plan.
“The outcome is the planning, not the plan.”
Because people change. Circumstances change. Plans change. What matters is getting the family talking, creating action and making progress.
In This Episode
- Why communication can be more challenging than the actual succession plan
- Why farm families often avoid conversations about the future
- The difficult questions families need to be willing to ask
- The assumptions parents and children can make about one another
- What parents may be thinking about the future of the farm that their children don't know
- What the next generation may want that their parents don't know about
- The difference between treating children equally and treating them fairly
- How an outside advisor can help families have conversations they struggle to have on their own
- Why the “perfect plan” may not be as important as getting the family moving forward
- Five questions Peter recommends families ask to get the conversation started
- Why communication creates action—and action creates progress
If your family knows you need to start talking about succession, but you don't know where to begin, start with this episode and discover the top 5 questions Peter asks every farm family he works with.
Thanks for tuning in,
Tracy
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🔗RESOURCES:
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Learn More About MNP Agriculture
🌐https://www.mnp.ca/en/industries/agriculture
Explore MNP Transition & Succession Planning Resources
🌐https://www.mnp.ca/en/clients/agriculture/transitionsmart
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Continue Exploring Conversations with MNP
Discover more episodes featuring MNP experts as they share practical insights and guidance for Canadian farm families.
Overcoming Resistance in Farm Transition Planning
🎥 https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=583
Walking in the Shadows: Taking Over the Family Farm with Trevor MacLean
🎥 https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=624
Military Leadership Meets Farm Succession with Joe Bitz
🎥 https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=635
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About the Guest:
Peter Manness P.Ag.
Farm Management Consultant / MNP
Peter Manness, PAg, is a Business Advisor in MNP’s Farm Management Consulting group. Working throughout Manitoba, Peter delivers management consulting services and helps implement solutions on a wide range of issues for primary agricultural producers, agricultural industry organizations and producer groups including Hutterite Colonies.
With over 20 years of industry experience, Peter has firsthand knowledge of agricultural production; he understands the challenges the agriculture sector faces today and can quickly identify opportunities. His services include business and strategic planning, farm financial planning, operational and production reviews, feasibility analysis, farm transition planning and cost of production analysis.
Peter works closely with clients to deliver solutions tailored to help them meet their business and personal goals. He takes pride in helping clients solve their operational problems so they can become stronger farm managers and stay competitive and profitable.
Peter was designated a Professional Agrologist (P. Ag) in 2004 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness at the University of Manitoba. Peter grew up on a mixed farm near Domain, Manitoba.
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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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