A hush fell over the overflow crowd of young farmers as Ron Hanson wrapped up his presentation on farm succession planning.

Not sure what to expect next, this standing-room-only group of young farmers at Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Conference in Des Moines was left astounded by examples of horror story farm succession planning mistakes and mishaps that can devastate a family and bring future family gatherings to an abrupt halt.

Or worse yet, force moms and dads, brothers and sisters into the courtroom.

Hanson, with...