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Addressing every facet of the farm

Farmers are busy preparing every facet of their operation for the year ahead.

Matthew Oppriecht with Compeer Financial says crop insurance is one of many fixed inputs that needs to be reviewed on an annual basis.

“Hail insurance is a nice extra to add on top of it.  It’s very valuable here in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin.  We look at multi-peril, revenue protection, just a wide variety of products and services that fit each farmer’s need.”

With margins expected to remain tight in 2018, he says farmers can choose levels of coverage based on affordability.

Compeer VP of Core Markets Rachel Dux (dukes) tells Brownfield she works with clients on loans, leases, and appraisal services.

“They really just need to look at their bottom-line.  They need to look at places they can cut expenses, and/or find a way to increase income within their operations.  Commodity prices don’t look to have a very fast recovery, so it’s (time) to dig in the trenches for now.”

She says the Federal Reserve is expected to increase interest rates this week, which could make refinancing less attractive in the near-term.

Brownfield spoke to Dux and Oppriecht at the Compeer Financial Outlook Meeting in Rochester Tuesday.

 

Matthew Oppriecht audio:

Rachel Dux audio: