For Den Hoed Dairy, perfect management wasn't enough to stop a hidden, invisible force from silently bleeding their family dairy dry. When the Den Hoed family transitioned their operation from Washington state to Wisconsin, they expected a deeper land base—but they walked straight into a multi-million dollar production trap. Despite harvesting their own feed, running their own logistics, and keeping iron costs low, their dairy herd was hit with a devastating 44% cull rate and calf losses exceeding 50%. The culprit wasn't their work ethic; it was stray voltage—up to 7 volts of earth current pulsing through the facility, shocking their cows every time they tried to drink. In this episode of Legacy Farmer Live, Colton Den Hoed reveals how standard utility tests failed to see a $1.5 million annual drain, the dangers of 100% loan-to-value equipment financing, and how they used data-backed pro-formas to secure a miracle bank approval to build on completely clean ground

"The average producer is being completely priced out of modern equipment—and the balance sheet is taking the hit." Sitting down with Phil Peabody, Chief Lending Officer at Capital Farm Credit, we peel back the curtain on what a portfolio wide look at the 2026 ag credit crisis actually looks like. Margins are tighter than they've been in decades, and lenders are noticing that over-expanded intermediate equipment debt is quietly chewing out the middle of the American farm balance sheet.

"We signed the lease because they told us we were pre-approved... and then they just dropped us right on our butt."  Imagine doing everything right: running a farm for nine years, finally securing the lease, and getting the "green light" from your lender—only to have them pull the rug out from under you months later with a "straight-up no." In this episode of Legacy Farmer Live, we sit down with an alfalfa producer facing the brutal reality of high-altitude farming and a banking system that doesn't understand the dirt.  Stop hoping for a better year. Start building a better business. ********************************* 🎙️Want FREE High Level Strategy For Your Operation? Apply for Legacy Farmer Live, our new series where farmers across North America can call in & get free advice from our Director of Coaching, Lance Weaver, for their operations. Secure your spot today → https://share.hsforms.com/2jyvetB3VRtePB08Pc8N6Twpxxq6?comet_source=YT&comet_custom=LFL-Bank-Dropped-Farm

The biggest threat to your farm's survival isn't the weather—it's the financial Debt Cycle. Hear the story of Ava, who left her career as a top ag loan underwriter because she was handcuffed from truly helping farm families. This is a powerful wake-up call for every Producer, Dairyman, and Rancher. We expose the Ag Banking Crisis, why young loan officers are unqualified, and why the bank may be devaluing your assets, like a multi-million dollar Dairy Barn.   Ready to take control of your farm's financial future? Let's make it happen. FREE Proven System Training That Has Helped 400+ Family Farms Eliminate Stress, Increase Profitability, Decrease Debt, And... Protect Their Family's Financial Future! → https://start.legacyfarmer.com/proven-system-1?comet_source=POD&comet_custom=Ava-Podcast   Join our Free Legacy Farmer Facebook Community → https://www.facebook.com/groups/legacyfarmerboardroom?comet_source=POD&comet_custom=Ava-Podcast  

From growing up on a Michigan family farm to navigating the highs and lows of ag banking, Matt shares his journey of tough moral decisions, financial lessons, and why he ultimately joined Legacy Farmer. In this conversation, you'll hear the raw truth about banking red flags, farm financial struggles, and how farmers can take back control of their operations.

What happens when farmers finally take back control of their operation — and their future? In this powerful episode, former ag banker turned business coach Jen Erickson shares the hard truths, overlooked red flags, and critical lessons she's learned from working with hundreds of farm families across the country. We dive into what most farmers are never taught about numbers, legacy, and leadership — and why waiting for the bank to "bless" your operation could be the biggest mistake you make. Whether you're stuck, scaling, or starting over, this conversation is a must-watch if you're serious about protecting your farm, your family, and your future.  Ready to take control of your farm's financial future?  Let's make it happen. FREE Proven System Training That Has Helped 300+ Family Farms Eliminate Stress, Increase Profitability, Decrease Debt, And... Protect Their Family's Financial Future! → https://start.legacyfarmer.com/proven-system-1?comet_source=YT&comet_custom=Jen-pod    

In this episode, we sit down with Tork Whisler — co-host of Barn Talk to talk about the weight of legacy, lessons from failure, and what it really means to lead the next generation of farmers. From family dynamics and business recovery to social media and the future of agriculture, this conversation covers it all. Whether you're navigating farm transitions, building something of your own, or just here for a raw and honest story — this one's for you. Ready to take control of your farm's financial future? Let's make it happen. FREE Proven System Training That Has Helped 300+ Family Farms Eliminate Stress, Increase Profitability, Decrease Debt, And... Protect Their Family's Financial Future! → https://start.legacyfarmer.com/proven-system-1?comet_source=pod&comet_custom=BarnTalk2

Most family farm operations are run on emotion—and that's exactly why so many are collapsing. In this episode, Jace Young sits down with Legacy Farmer Business Coach Katie Taylor to talk about the mindset shifts, strategic moves, and leadership skills farm families must embrace if they want to survive and thrive in today's ag economy.  Ready to take control of your farm's financial future? Let's make it happen. FREE Proven System Training That Has Helped 300+ Family Farms Eliminate Stress, Increase Profitability, Decrease Debt, And... Protect Their Family's Financial Future! → https://start.legacyfarmer.com/proven-system-1?comet_source=Pod&comet_custom=Katie-Podcast

Most farmers trust their banker to guide them on the health of their operation. That's the first mistake. In this episode, Jace sits down with Lance—Legacy Farmer's Director of Coaching and a former ag loan officer with over a decade of experience—to expose what's really going on inside the banking system… and why so many farmers don't see the collapse coming until it's too late. This is the hard truth every farm family needs to hear—before they lose control of their finances, their land, and their legacy. Protect your farm today with our FREE training --> https://start.legacyfarmer.com/proven-system-1?comet_source=Pod&comet_custom=Former-Ag-Banker    

Today's episode hits on a tough truth: nobody is coming to save you. In this episode, I share a recent conversation with a farm owner feeling the pressure of tough decisions and past mistakes. We dig into why ego, fear of being exposed, and avoiding tough conversations hold people back—and how those same issues can sink a family operation. I also talk about my own experiences, the lessons I learned from my granddad's mistakes, and how I hit rock bottom before finally realizing it's on me to change. At Legacy Farmer, we're not here to save anyone. We're here to lead those ready to transform their business and their life. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Let's get into it. If you're ready to make a change and need guidance on where to start, we're here to help. Book a call with our team to discuss how we can support you at  https://www.legacyfarmer.com/?utm-source=Pod&utm-medium=Organic&utm-content=No-One-Is-Coming-to-Save-You&comet_source=Pod