Cattlemen’s podcast shines light on Farm Credit

Capital Farm Credit’s Casey Cook and Pat Shields participated in the Cattlemen’s Call podcast during CattleCon earlier this month, along with Anne Thompson of the Farm Credit Council.

The podcast was recorded live during the convention in San Antonio, with the panelists discussing how farm credit is different from other lending institutions and how our experts work with customers to make their businesses stronger and plan for the future.

“A lot of us are producers. We're in agriculture,” said Shields, who is currently chair of the Texas Beef Council. “We're involved locally in our communities. We're involved in trade associations, and we also see the need for knowledgeable ag financing individuals, where we can help young people that are just getting into the business all the way up to the major agribusiness and corporations that need agricultural financing. That's the main thing that sets us apart.”

Cook said relationships are vital between lenders and customers, because there will be good times and bad, and everything in between.

“There will be a day where there's going to be a tough conversation between a borrower and lender, and it's going to happen, because the nature of the beast,” Cook said. “So make sure you have that connection. Make sure that lender is a trusted advisor.”

Shields reiterated that Capital Farm Credit is there to help with the expertise and guidance that comes with experience and true partnerships.

“Those are all the things that we understand, because we’ve been there,” he said. “Just be honest and be prepared.”

The podcast was sponsored by Farm Credit. The segment, which runs about six minutes, can be heard here.