We’re coming into the lull — that time between autumn harvest and upcoming planting, when many farmers are thrilled to have a little breathing room but are already chomping at the bit to get rolling again. So, while it’s still too cold to get out in the fields, what should you be doing right now to plan effectively for next season?
Here are 10 ideas for how to spend the winter months preparing for next season.
Benchmarking your yields helps you improve your ag operation’s productivity by revealing how your yield compares to other farms’. With FBN®’s benchmarking tool, you can compare your yields against thousands of other farmers with the power of the FBN network.
FBN®’s benchmarking tool makes reviewing and tracking your performance data simple:
After signing into your FBN member account on your computer or in the FBN app on your smartphone, go to the ANALYZE tab
Then go to MY DATA, and where it says OTHER FILES, upload your yield data
Once your yield history has been added, go to MY OPERATION in the menu and select BENCHMARKING
In BENCHMARKING, you can compare your yield against all of FBN or select state, county, or within 50 miles of your region
Armed with benchmarking data that gives you insight into what worked for you and where you can improve, set your goals and establish a rough, season-long schedule that allows you to maximize your planting, in-season, and harvest windows. Consider all that will need to be accomplished, estimate the time you will need to tackle each task, and note when you want to start and complete them.
You may want to include the following in your schedule:
Inspecting field locations
Considering hybrid and variety maturities
Reviewing equipment capacity
Knowing your budget on a field-by-field basis can help you make better decisions for the upcoming season. Take some time to look over, and really understand, your numbers from the year. Make note of the areas where you spent money that increased yield and where you spent money that didn’t.
Looking for an Excel template to review your budget? Check out the Balance Sheet Template or the Cash Flow Template from FBN Finance here.
If you lease property, review the terms of the lease. It’s important to be aware of your responsibilities. While many leases are only valid for one year, consult your paperwork to see when the lease expires so that you are aware of the exact dates you will need to either renew or terminate.
Considering a future land purchase? Download our free guide 10 Questions to Ask Before Buying Farmland.
Since it’s probably been a full season since you used your planting equipment, now would be an excellent time to give it a good once-over. Think back to any issues or breakdowns you had last year, and make sure they’re resolved before your planter hits the field.
Calibrate your meters to ensure proper singulation and plant spacing. Almost all of what you can control about yield happens before the planter leaves the field, so give yourself every opportunity for success.
Want a step-by-step guide to machinery maintenance? Download the free Equipment Winter Maintenance Checklist here.
As you get a handle on where your wins were last year and the state of your leases, you can pull together your budget for next season. Ag chem and fertilizer will be major players, and land payments and equipment costs should get a line as well.
Don’t forget to include the potential spends you’re thinking about, but haven’t settled on, such as a late-season fungicide shot or an emergency insecticide pass.
Consider what it will take to maximize profits and yields. Don’t get hung up on how to put in the cheapest crop.
Need help funding inputs and other purchases as you prepare for next season? Learn about financing solutions in the Operating Line 101 Guide.
Budgeting and marketing are two sides of the same coin. Once you’ve established a budget, you have a baseline for how you should approach marketing your crop.
Consider all your possible delivery points and contract options. Take advantage of your on-farm storage capabilities, if you have them, to get the best prices outside the harvest delivery window.
Want to learn how to manage fluctuating crop markets? Download the free FBN Grain Marketing Handbook, which breaks down complex marketing terminology, complicated market dynamics, and tricky technical trading analysis into an easy-to-follow guide.
While you’re evaluating your wins and losses on the farm, consider the impact of your farm workers. Prepare your feedback and then schedule one-on-one time with each worker.
The following questions can help you prepare your feedback:
Have they met their basic job requirements?
What are some examples of when they went above and beyond?
What were some of the wins they contributed to?
Where do they need improvement?
This should be a conversation in which the worker has the opportunity to share their ideas for the farm as well. Help empower your workers by providing them with education and training.
Want to retain your best employees? Reviews are often the time in which raises are given. Make sure you’re paying a fair market rate by viewing our Farm Employee Salaries Infographic.
Begin purchasing the products that you will need for the upcoming planting season. This could include:
By purchasing ahead of time, you’ll have peace of mind that you have what you need to get started as soon as planting season begins.
Why is it a strategic time to buy inputs? Find out in this blog post.
Learn how to get the most out of FBN's Shopping Lists in this video.
At the end of the day, farming happens outdoors, and we can’t control environmental conditions. While establishing and following a plan is essential to having a successful season, we never know when Mother Nature may have something else in mind.
Start the season with best-made-plans, but expect to pivot when necessary. Being prepared to make changes can help you manage through a whirlwind season.
Want to connect with fellow farmers experiencing similar ups and downs? Participate in our online forum, where members post advice, pest polls, land investor needs, livestock for sale, and more.
You’ve worked hard to make your ag operation a success, and now as you plan the next season, you’re ready to take it to the next level. FBN Finance has the ag lending solutions you need to grow your farm operation.
We are dedicated to family farms. With low overhead, a national network, and competitive rates, FBN Finance has helped farmers save thousands of dollars. FBN Finance offers:
You have dreams of scaling your ag business. We want to help you achieve them in 2025. Contact our team today by calling 866-551-3950 or filling out this form to see what's possible.
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Terms and conditions apply. FBN Finance, LLC commercial operating lines of credit are offered by FBN Finance, LLC and are available only where FBN Finance, LLC is licensed. Equipment, land, input, and operating financing provided in connection with our financing partners. To qualify for a financing offer, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. and meet the underwriting requirements of FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. NMLS ID: 1631119.