Family Farm Finance

I don’t know much about family finance apart from my own family but I will put in my 2 cents worth.

First of all, things financial and legal tend to be a little fluid in Ambridge depending on the needs of the story. For example all know the Joeline is the owner of the Bull but that seems to have been forgotten and Kenton now acts like he owns the place. Fluid. So with respect to pension payments for Brine and Jenny, who knows!
With respect to Brookfield, I believe the farm is or is supposed to be, a partnership with David and Ruth taking equal responsibility for decisions so David would not or should not make these decisions alone. Although David often seems to forget this.
The mob grazing was a venture by Pip alone although she borrowed money from her parents to do it. Pip is an employee for the rest of her work but we have been led to believe there is only just enough work to justify her job so I think we can assume she gets a fairly minimal wage. Her venture with the mob grazing would supplement this.
As far as we know Josh isn’t getting paid. He said recently when telling DAvid about his gap year, that he would support himself through eggs and something else.
I don’t know how farmers manage the ups and downs of the business. Like any business I suppose you try to structure things so that you have a fairly regular income but I don’t how they manage the inevitable bad harvest years. I guess that is why we have government help for farmer, to help even out that risk.
Phil left the farm to David. His siblings have small shares but I think that was an afterthought. We might assume David will do the same, choose one of his children to leave the bulk of the farm to. Makes for a bit of drama! I don’t think splitting the farm 3 ways works as you need a critical mass of land.
Anyway just my thoughts, could be completely wrong.