Siskiyou Daily News: Seminar addresses estate planning for livestock producers

Seminar addresses estate planning for livestock producers

December 26, 2007

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - In a recent press release, livestock producers asked the following questions:

What would happen to your ranch and estate if you and your spouse were killed in a car wreck tonight? Would it survive to be passed to your heirs, or would taxes and legal fees eat it up?

These are issues that will be addressed in a workshop series that will be held this winter and spring, called ’Ties To the Land: Succession and Estate Planning for Livestock Producers.’

The first of two workshop series in the nearest location to Siskiyou County will be held in Klamath Falls, Ore., on Jan. 29 at the Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center, located at 3328 Vandenberg Rd. The second follow-up sessions are yet to be scheduled for the spring, after calving season, the release said.

The workshop will begin with registration and beverages at 9:30 a.m., with the program starting at 10 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m.

All livestock producer families are welcome. Farmers and private business owners are invited to attend, as well, although examples will be oriented toward livestock operations, according to the release.

Speakers will include estate planning advisors, a legal expert, a CPA and a farm/ranch business management advisor, the release said.

Topics to be addressed at the first session include:

* Do you need to have a succession plan? What happens if you don’t;

* Family communication. How to organize and conduct family meetings;

* An introduction to institutional constraints and opportunities; and

* Team building for a positive succession outcome.

At the second session, more specific and detailed information will be presented that builds on what was covered in the first session.

Registration for the series (both sessions) costs $50 per family ranch operation. A lunch will be served and may or may not cost extra, depending on the success of finding sponsors, the release said.

Advanced registration is requested at least one week before the workshop. Registration forms are available at the OSU Extension office in Klamath Falls and on the ’Calendar’ page of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Web site, at www.orcattle.com/calendar.htm.

For more information, contact Bob Miller at bpmiller@sisqtel.net.