370 | What the Top 20% of Farm Businesses Do Differently with Dr. David Kohl & Lynn Paulson

What will separate the most successful farm businesses from the rest over the next decade? Dr. David Kohl and Lynn Paulson of Bell Bank join Peggy Coffeen to discuss the economic and global trends producers should be watching—from consumer demand for protein and AI-driven agriculture to global competition, regenerative agriculture, the coming land transition, and relationship-based lending. They also break down what separates the top 20% of farm businesses: knowing the numbers, having a plan, managing risk, building strong relationships, and consistently doing the small things right. 00:00 – Economic & Global Trends 01:05 – Protein & Precision Agriculture 02:15 – Following the Consumer 03:01 – Global Competition 04:37 – The Changing Global Landscape 07:18 – Regenerative Agriculture 08:58 – Agriculture’s Story to Consumers 10:59 – The 2032 Land Opportunity 12:42 – Land Ownership vs. Control 14:04 – Advice for Young Producers 17:09 – Planning & Financial Management 20:23 – Family Business Accountability 22:01 – Relationship Lending 26:33 – What Makes a Good Lender? 29:01 – What the Top 20% Do Differently 30:32 – Excellence at the Margin