With the election over - despite moves to "recount" - the work of the nation will move forward. It looks like it will be a bumpy ride moving toward the new administration yet there's a sense of purpose in Washington. For the newly elected to Congress, and for those that held their jobs, next month means getting back to work.

And while it's pretty easy to get caught up in the election rhetoric, for the farm, the focus must remain growing food – whether for livestock or direct consumption, we'll all need the fruits of your labor. And perhaps that's the message.

WORK AHEAD: New leadership in Washington will be about getting work done; on the farm that never goes away.

Sure, one administration or another can meddle in your business with rules and regulations, but at the end of the day you must get in the tractor and do work. And if you're ranching, those cattle are counting on you. It's that simple.

While it appears the arguments and in-fighting won't go completely away a "matched set" in Congress and the White House could make a difference. The work on your farm doesn't go away, and to succeed it's time to plan. December is a great time to sit down and assess where you are in the process for 2017.

For the cattle producer, it's about counting head and figuring potential returns. For the crop producer it's about measuring income and figuring the need for seed, and more. In essence it's back to work with an eye toward figuring out how to eek some kind of profit out of what has turned into a long-haul through soft farm income.

Once while I was listening to a radio program, where the people on the air were whining about this, or complaining about that, someone with me commented that those "people need mortgages." The message was that debt could be a real focus on your time and effort. If you've got a mortgage to pay, you're not too worried about extra stuff. And farming is like that – you have a job to do and it's about raising tasty animals and growing abundant crops. Pretty simple.

We're wrapping up the end of the year. It's been a fascinating ride and 2017 promises to be even more interesting as we look ahead to a new president, and new members of Congress. Your state may have seen changes in government too. Which brings up one last point: These new folks need an ag education.

Better to start early teaching what it really takes to raise food. What technology is really needed. And the value of the investment you have in a multi-generation family farm.

Essentially, we're all on the hook here. For me as a writer, it's to continue bringing you useful information for your operation. For you, it's about translating all the information you get into sharp management decisions you can apply on your farm.

Good luck in 2017. And have a Happy New Year.