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Crops are going in the bins. Winter is approaching. But it’s not time to sit back and relax — it’s time to start thinking ahead to next season!
As you start to plan for next year, ask yourself a few questions to help lay the groundwork with input planning for next season:
Are winter annual weeds an issue that needs to be addressed before soil freezes?
Do I need to complete any tillage operations?
What weed, insect and disease pressures did I experience this year that I should plan to address next year?
Am I planning to use many of the same chemistries that performed well this year in next season’s applications?
Once you have an idea of your strategy for the upcoming season and a plan for which inputs you’d like to purchase, it’s a good idea to consider buying your crop protection and other ag chem now rather than waiting until next year. Spending a few minutes now securing the products you need saves you time next year when things start getting busy, lets you take advantage of limited time savings opportunities on key ag chem products, and sets you up for success next season.
Despite these benefits, farmers are sometimes still apprehensive about buying chem early. Below, we’ve outlined a few common concerns we’ve heard from farmers about purchasing inputs now and a few helpful tips to assuage those concerns.
Start by developing an initial chem strategy based on last season’s performance and your goals for next season. Then order the products you are certain you will use; you can always purchase additional products or make further adjustments to your chem plan next year closer to the start of the season.
Keeping a detailed history of your chemical plans and cropping history will help you make this selection easy. Use FBN’s free member tools, like the My Operation and My Data sections of the FBN platform, to input data and track operational performance over time.
Shopping lists, a new feature now available from FBN Direct®, also simplifies the purchase process by automatically saving your previous purchases into a shareable product list for future reference. Learn more about shopping lists here.
If certain chemistries worked well for you last season, chances are that other farmers may have had the same success and the demand for those products may rise. Supply can become tight for popular products over time, but purchasing while supplies are still in stock ensures you’ll have access to your desired products.
[Watch the Video: Input Supply Chain Outlook 2023]
FBN Direct’s Cyber sale, happening now, offers farmers a great opportunity to take advantage of limited time prices on many key inputs. Plus, buying now also gives you price predictability. It’s not uncommon for the price of common chemistries to increase throughout the year, so buying now could prove to be a smart move.
[Read the 2023 Ag Chem Price Transparency Report]
When buying inputs, you likely weigh many factors like cash flow management, interest rates, overall cost savings and — likely most importantly — flexibility in your financing options.
FBN Finance offers a diverse array of accessible financing solutions to support farmers in purchasing critical supplies for their operations, many of which offer instant decisions* so you can immediately know whether you’ve been approved.
Input loans, which are only applicable to FBN input purchases, are fixed rate, non-revolving lines of $10,000-500,000. With this payment option, you won't have to make payments until January 1, 2025. Learn more about input loans from FBN Finance here.
Alternatively, operating lines of credit, which are not limited to only purchasing inputs, are fixed rate, revolving lines of $100,000-1,000,000. With this payment option, you won't have to make payments until March 1, 2025. Learn more about FBN Finance operating lines of credit here.
[Trying to assess your operation’s cash flow? Download the free Cash Flow Template here.]
A little research can help you learn which chemistries require heated storage (and any other storage restrictions) and those that don’t. Find thousands of product labels on FBN Direct, review how to read a chemical label, and order accordingly.
Even better, you can order now and have your order delivered next spring! Learn more about FBN’s delivery and logistics network here.
Once you have the products in hand, you can rest assured knowing you’re set up for success next season while other farmers may still be searching for key inputs. Even if those products become scarce in the future, you’ll be secure in knowing you stocked up early and are ready for next season. Think of it as one less thing on your to-do list!
Offering transparent pricing and savings opportunities, 24/7 digital shopping access, fast direct-to-farm delivery and detailed label information for each product, FBN Direct has the crop protection, crop nutrition, and other essential ag chem products you need to help you maximize your profit potential.
Take advantage of limited time pricing deals happening now to secure savings on the key products you need this season. Click here to explore available products, pricing, and other product details.
© 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN” are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
Financing offered by FBN Finance, LLC and its lending partners. Terms and conditions apply. To qualify, a borrower must be a member of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. and meet all underwriting requirements. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify. NMLS ID: 1631119.
*Subject to final review and verification.
Qualified farmers who apply and accept (1) the terms of an Operating Line of Credit through FBN® Finance of $100,000 to $1,000,000 and payoff the balance in full by March 10, 2025 are eligible to receive a promotional interest rate of 3.99% when using the Operating Line of Credit to finance purchases of input products made through FBN Direct® between September 1, 2023 - November 21, 2023 and a promotional interest rate of 4.99% when using the Operating Line of Credit to finance purchases of input products made through FBN Direct® between November 22, 2023 - January 5, 2024. Qualifying input products include crop protection, adjuvant, crop nutrition, seed, animal health and livestock feed. Advances on the FBN® Finance Operating Line that are not for the purchase of input products from FBN Direct® will be charged interest at the stated (non-promotional) contract rate in the Operating Line of Credit loan agreement.**
Approved farmers who apply for and accept the terms of an FBN® Finance Operating Line and make a minimum $50,000 purchase of any input categories or $10,000 of animal health or livestock feed products only from FBN Direct® by November 21, 2023 or a $75,000 purchase of any input categories or $25,000 of animal health or livestock feed products only from FBN Direct® by January 5, 2024 will receive the benefit of automatic qualification for a promotional rate lock from FBN Direct®. The rate lock offers qualified farmers a promotional rate from 3.99% - 4.99% interest, based on the timing of qualification, on future purchases of input products only made through FBN Direct® by August 31, 2024.
**Payments for all amounts owed under the associated FBN® Finance Operating Line of Credit are due March 1, 2025. If the total balance for all amounts owed is not paid in full by March 10, 2025, interest charges on all purchases of input products made through FBN Direct® between September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024, using an Operating Line of Credit through FBN® Finance will be imposed from the purchase date at the stated (non-promotional) contract rate in the Operating Line of Credit loan agreement.
(1) Borrower will have seven (7) days from date of acceptance to sign loan notes and for loans greater than $500,000, thirty (30) days to fulfill all conditions outlined in the loan note.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.
Qualified farmers must purchase within promotional period #1 (Sept 1 - Nov 21, 2023) to receive the 5.99% promotional rate or promotional period #2 (Nov 22, 2023 - Jan 5, 2024) to receive the 6.99% promotional rate. Any purchases made between January 5 - August 31, 2024 by farmers who did not qualify for the promotional rate lock will be financed at the variable standard financing rates. Farmers must complete a credit application and be approved by FBN Finance, LLC or our lending partner. Farmers must be credit qualified by FBN Finance, LLC, and all loan documents must be fully executed. Payment in full must be made by January 1, 2025; default interest rate charges apply.
Products sold or distributed through FBN Direct® are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Terms and conditions apply.
FBN Finance, LLC commercial operating lines of credit are offered by FBN Finance, LLC and its financing partners, and are available only where FBN Finance, LLC is licensed. Terms and conditions apply. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify.