Stop guessing. Start managing your operation with clarity and confidence.

Profitability and succession are inseparable. Markets are volatile, input costs are unpredictable, and margins are tighter than ever. The farms and ranches that thrive are the ones that understand their numbers, structure their business intentionally, and make decisions with clarity, not guesswork.

This in-depth workshop, to be held Saturday, January 31, during the 2026 NDFB Farm and Ranch Conference, will help producers uncover hidden profit leaks, tighten decision-making, and build an operation that performs in both good years and tough ones.

Led by Chris Barron of Ag View Solutions, this two-part workshop begins on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 9:15 a.m. and runs until noon. It will provide participants with practical, data-driven insights they can immediately apply to their own farms and ranches.

Session 1: Structuring Your Business for Long-Term Growth

This session will examine the essential components of establishing a robust, well-structured business framework. Key topics will include:

• Establishing an appropriate business framework to support accurate and meaningful financial reporting

• Preparing your operation for successful generational transition

• Strengthening your organizational foundation to withstand external risks and industry challenges better

Participants will leave with actionable strategies for improving clarity, efficiency, and long-term resilience within their business.

Session 2: Maximizing Profitability by Staying Focused on the Numbers

This session provides a detailed, practical look at understanding and managing your true cost of production. Areas of focus will include:

• Detailed analysis of key line-item expenses such as land, equipment, fertilizer, seed, and return to management

• A deep dive into machinery and equipment economics, including per-pass cost analysis and strategies for optimizing equipment investments

• Identifying high-value decision points that directly influence profitability

• Integrating cost-of-production data into your marketing strategy, enabling a shift from price-based to margin-based grain merchandising.

Participants will gain clarity on the numbers that matter most and learn how to apply them to strengthen their marketing, operational, and financial strategies.