THOUGHT PIECES

Reservoir levels have improved in some areas, but overall conditions still point to a tight year in parts of the region. Snowpack, timing, and local conditions will all play a major role in how the season unfolds. For producers, water impacts more than just irrigation season. It influences crop decisions, input strategy, margins, and the… Reservoir Update

Employee Spotlight: Kari Rickenbach Kari Rickenbach serves as Permanent Crop Associate at Root Ag Advisory, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the permanent crop industry. Her background spans both farm operations and financial management, supported by a degree in horticulture from Washington State University. That combination of practical experience and industry knowledge continues… Employee Spotlight: Kari Richenbach

Farm performance is rarely shaped by just one factor at a time. 🌾 Factors influencing how agricultural operations plan, respond, and perform include: Water – Irrigation outlooks continue to shape early-season decisions. Availability, timing and allocation all influence crop selection, input planning, and overall risk heading into the season. Margins – Tighter margins are changing… Farm Performance Factors

Agricultural real estate is more complex than a typical property sale. For farm and ranch landowners, transactions often involve water rights, leases, tenant relationships, succession planning, tax considerations, and long-term land value, not just a listing price. With over $2B in closed transactions, Root Agricultural Advisory helps clients navigate these decisions with guidance built specifically… Importance of Using an Agricultural Real Estate Broker

Early forecasts in the Pacific Northwest are already signaling reduced irrigation supply, with some junior water rights expected to receive less than full allocation. While the latest outlook focuses on the Yakima Basin, similar conditions could develop across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as snowpack and winter moisture determine irrigation availability. For producers, irrigation outlooks like… PNW Expecting Irrigation Water Shortage

Employee Spotlight 👉 Meet Braylie Braylie is a Financial Analyst at Root Agricultural Advisory, providing financial and operational analysis that helps farmland buyers and sellers make informed, long-term decisions. With a degree in Agricultural Business with an emphasis in agronomy, she understands both the production side of agriculture and the financial factors that influence land… Employee Spotlight: Braylie Stevens

Tater tots may be fun and familiar, but they still start with what matters most: productive ground, strong management, and the people behind it. From Russets in the field to the final product, it all depends on smart planning and land that performs. A few tot facts for the day: 🥔 Tater tots were created… Happy National Tater Tot Day

🌾 The USDA has launched a new portal increasing transparency around foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land. Greater visibility into land ownership may influence how farmland markets evolve, particularly as the industry navigates high land values and elevated interest rates. For agricultural landowners, investors, and operators, improved data transparency adds important context to conversations around… Increasing Agricultural Transparency

When farm margins tighten, equipment purchases are often the first thing producers delay. Instead of buying new machinery, many farms extend the life of existing equipment or shift to the used market to manage cash flow. For farmers, it’s a practical way to preserve liquidity during uncertain cycles. For landowners and ag investors, slower equipment… Tight Margins Effects on Equipment Purchases

Farm management goes far beyond the field. Farm managers: Manage the flow of information – This includes overseeing reports, budgets and landowner-level financials to keep records clear, organized and decision ready. Coordinates operations and planning – Including lease negotiations, tenant coordination, crop planning, capital projects and long-term strategy tied to land performance. Navigates compliance and… What a Farm Manager Actually Does