What makes a good farmer a great one?
In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney digs into that question with Margy Eckelkamp of Top Producer at Farm Journal. From battling through the 1980s farm crisis to navigating today’s economic curveballs, Eckelkamp shares how the most successful farm operators think and act differently.
These top producers aren’t always the biggest in acres or herd size — but they’re the ones making bold decisions, learning fast, and treating their farms like businesses built to last. “It’s not about acres and animals. It’s about aptitude and attitude,” Eckelkamp says.
She highlights lessons from past Top Producer award winners, including 2025 honouree Mark Arnusch. You’ll hear how he’s restructured operations, embraced leadership, and taken calculated risks to grow stronger teams and bottom lines. These aren’t just success stories — they’re playbooks for how farmers across North America are raising the bar in real, tangible ways. From financial smarts to long-term vision, Eckelkamp outlines the mindset shifts that separate great farm CEOs from the rest.
If you’re ready to sharpen your edge and think bigger about your operation — whether you’re calving cows or combining canola — this episode will fire you up. Plus, if you or someone you know fits the mould of a top producer, Eckelkamp shares how to apply for the Top Producer, Women in Ag, and Tomorrow’s Top Producer awards.
Disclaimer: Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries are not responsible for the information provided in this podcast, and this information does not necessarily reflect the views of Royal Bank of Canada or any of its subsidiaries. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its subsidiaries.
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