I’m lucky enough to have grown up on a combination row crop and cattle operation in Iowa that’s been in my family since the early 1900s. My dad and my brother currently farm together on the land. They grow corn and soybeans and have a cattle feeder operation, where about two-thirds of the cattle feed comes from their own crops. Right now, the cattle side of the business is more than pulling its weight to keep the entire operation in a good place. I talked to my dad, Jeff Howe, about the financial decisions he’s made over the years and how he thinks those have impacted where the operation is today. As a farmer for over four decades, he shares valuable insights for younger producers on what they can do to position themselves for long-term financial success.

Spend Smart, Borrow with Purpose – Financial discipline across generations

One thing my dad has done really well is staying financially grounded. He’s been farming for over 40 years and in that time, he’s only owned four pickups, all of them except this last one were manual transmission and single cab. He doesn’t care about looking glamorous on the outside. But… he cares that his balance sheet looks good.

“My biggest goal was to try to avoid as much debt as I could,” Jeff says. “I’m old fashioned in that my main goal is to try to do what I can with the least amount of debt possible.”
 

That mindset—focused on frugality and financial independence—is one that’s shaped by experience. Many seasoned farmers were raised to believe that paying cash was a sign of strength, and that owning assets outright was the safest path forward. But today’s producers are navigating a different reality—one where the startup costs are extraordinary. Regardless of generation, when used wisely, having access to capital can help expand operations, invest in technology, meet cash flow demands and improve efficiency. The goal is to make debt work for the operation, not against it. That’s the kind of financial thinking that keeps farms resilient, no matter the generation.

Be Ready When Opportunity Knocks – Positioning your farm for growth

Looking for opportunities—and being in a position to capitalize on them—is another important part of my dad’s success story. His conservative financial approach has given him the flexibility to make smart moves when the timing is right.

Over the years, he’s been able to make strategic investments that have strengthened the farm, including expanding his land base and growing his cattle operation. Those decisions have paid off, especially now, as the crop side of the business faces more pressure from market fluctuations.

He’s also intentional about how and when he secures inputs. He looks for programs with favorable terms and incentives—like early order discounts or flexible payment options—and takes advantage of those whenever possible. Programs like the ones Nutrien Financial™ offers have helped him lock in pricing and manage cash flow more effectively.

“These programs have saved us a lot of money,” he says. “And it’s something I wasn’t doing for the first 30-35 years of farming, but locking in prices at the beginning of the season without having to pay upfront has helped out a lot.”

Build in Safety Nets – Building resilience through planning

If there’s one thing that longtime farmers know much better than others, it’s that the highs and the lows never last. Markets shift, weather changes and no season is guaranteed, which is why it’s important to be smart about how you manage the good years—so you’re ready for the ones that aren’t as strong.

“I’ve seen enough highs and lows that I’ve learned you can’t farm without having some kind of a safety net,” he says. “For us, crops are the safety net. Our corn and soybeans get us revenue, assurance and insurance.”

The cattle market—even though it’s high right now—doesn’t come with as many assurances, so that side of the business has been a bit riskier than the crops, but the entire operation is set up in a way that both the crops and the cattle support one another.

“The cattle business is a little bit more of a challenge because there’s not a safety net unless you make one for yourself,” he says. “I’ve been more aggressive trying to come up with a fail-safe way that we won’t lose a lot of money. I still feel that there’s going to be a day of reckoning in this beef market. It’s not going to stay as high as it has. Anytime you spend that much money purchasing animals, you better have some sort of plan that if the worst happens, you may still lose money, but you won’t lose your business.”

Beyond diversification, some producers rely on alternative forms of capital to help weather tough seasons. For our family, having two generations working together adds another layer of resilience. We support each other in ways that a solo operator might not be able to.

And that’s exactly why building in safety nets—whether through diversification, financial planning or family support—is essential. You don’t want a bad year to completely take you out.

Build Staying Power – The long-term mindset behind lasting success

My dad was a math teacher before he became a farmer. He started teaching so he could coach basketball and baseball—his love for sports was a driving force. That same determination to reach a goal has served him well in farming, where persistence and grit are essential.

From the outside, it’s easy to see that he’s built a successful farm. But what you don’t see until you’re out on the land are the awards he’s earned for consistently producing over 300-bushel corn, or the unwavering commitment he brings to every part of the operation. His financial decisions have been critical, but it’s his dedication to the crops and cattle that truly sets him apart. He and my brother feed cattle twice a day, every single day, within the same 10–15-minute window—weekends, holidays, even Christmas morning. They’ve never outsourced that work. They do it themselves, not just because they have to, but because they want to.

“I’m too darned independent to work for anybody else,” Jeff says. “I love teaching, but there’s just something about being your own boss. I’m afraid I’m too independent to do anything but what I want to do every day, and that’s what I like the most about being a farmer.”

Like my dad and my brother, most farmers are committed to the industry year after year, whether it’s been a good year or a bad one. Smart financial decisions, like diversifying your operation, taking advantage of financial offers that make sense (like those on Nutrien HUB), and maintaining a conservative approach to spending have played a crucial role in the success of my family’s farm. But it’s the consistency, the care and the drive to keep showing up that truly make the difference.