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109. How to Build a More Resilient Farm Business with Cover Crops — Kevin Wiltse
Description
In Part 2 of John Haskell's conversation with Kevin Wiltse, the focus shifts from implementing cover crops to building a resilient farming business that can withstand changing markets and weather. Kevin explains why resilience comes from designing flexible production systems, reducing dependence on expensive inputs, and treating forage as a profitable enterprise rather than simply a tool for soil health. By integrating livestock, perennial forages, and annual crops, he shares how his operation has become more adaptable while improving both profitability and land stewardship.
The conversation also explores the importance of making management decisions based on economics instead of tradition. Kevin discusses when annuals outperform perennials, why he adjusts his cropping plans based on projected profitability, and how lowering operating costs helped eliminate the need for an annual operating loan. The episode offers practical insights for producers looking to build businesses that are financially resilient, environmentally sustainable, and prepared to adapt as conditions change.
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In this episode, we cover:
- Why perennial and annual forage systems each have a place in a resilient farming operation
- How integrating livestock can reduce costs while improving soil health and profitability
- The management changes that allowed Kevin to eliminate the need for an annual operating loan
- Why projected losses should trigger a change in management, not business as usual
- How flexible forage systems create opportunities to custom graze cattle and generate additional revenue
- Why profitable farms are managed as integrated systems, not individual enterprises
Connect with Kevin:
- Green Cover Seed Podcast: Building a Drought Resilient Grazing Operation Using Perennials and Cover Crops with Kevin Wiltse
- Green Cover Seed Podcast: Kevin Wiltse - Integrating Livestock Producer Stories Webinar Series
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- Check out all of our past webinars here
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