Planning Now is the Key

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Harvest is just getting started, and I bet you're already thinking, I'll figure out next year after the combines are parked. I hear that every fall, and I get it, you're busy, you're tired, and the thought of diving into crop plans doesn't sound very exciting.

Welcome back to the Easy Ag Podcast, where innovative farming meets practical solutions. I'm your host, Matt Long. Before we dive into today's topic, I just want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who came out to our field day. It was great to see so many of you again this year and have conversations about what's working out in your fields. We had some excellent discussions about hybrid performance, fertility and biological strategies, and the results from our local testing. And what stood out to me most is how engaged everyone was in talking about next steps. How do we take this information and actually apply it on your farms? That's exactly what I want to build on today, because the truth is, all the great ideas and insights we shared at the field day only pay off if we turn them into action. And the way we do that is through early planning.

So, in this episode, we're going to talk about how planning now, not in March, is the key to yield, profitability and less stress heading into next season. So let's start here. To be honest, nobody loves spreadsheets and soil maps. But think about football. On Friday night, the outcome of that game is usually decided before kickoff. It's won in practice. In preparation and in watching film. Farming's the same way. When you take the time to plan early, you're not just filling in a calendar. You're making field by field decisions that drive ROI. Every field has differences, soil type, fertility, weed pressure and irrigation capacity to name a few.

And when you build a plan early, you're matching the right hybrid, the right fertility program

and the right management strategy to every single acre. That's not busy work. That's how

you make sure your dollars are working in the right places and not wasted where they won't

pay off.

And here's the next piece. Good plans need good data. And data takes time.

Soil tests, tissue samples, yield maps, scouting notes. You don't have time in March to

gather and analyze all the data. If you wait, you'll lose the chance to see what's really

happening under the surface. We've pulled 24 inch soil samples in the fall and found 40 to 60 pounds of nitrogen already there. That's $20 to $30 an acre in savings just by knowing what's in the soil. But you only catch that if you plan ahead. When you gather data early, you're not guessing. You're not throwing darts blindfolded. You're making informed decisions that protect profitability and stretch your inputs further.

Now let's talk money. Inputs don't get cheaper the longer you wait. Fertilizer markets move,

seed availability tightens, crop protection products run short. Planning early lets you lock in supply and secure better pricing. And the earlier you plan, the more options you have. It's kind of like booking an airline ticket. Buy early and you get choices and fair prices. Wait until the day before and you're paying double to sit in the middle seat by the bathroom. Farming works the same way. Locking in inputs early keeps more dollars in your pocket and takes away the stress of scrambling at the last minute. But it's not just about price. Think of your hybrid portfolio like

an investment portfolio. You wouldn't put your entire retirement into a single stock, right? Way too risky. Same with hybrids. You need balance between maturities, stress tolerances, and yield drivers. Some will shine in a drought year, others in a wet year. The balance spreads your risk and captures upside across environments. When you plan early, you're not just picking hybrids off the shelf. You're building a portfolio that protects your bottom line no matter what conditions you face. And here's one benefit most farmers overlook. When the plan is in place ahead of time, everything just runs smoother. Application timing, equipment schedules, and labor all line up. Instead of scrambling to figure out what goes where in the middle of planting, you already know. Your team knows. And that means fewer sleepless nights, fewer last minute phone calls, and a whole lot less stress in season. And operating smoothly gives you something else. Flexibility. Because no matter how much we plan, Mother Nature is going to throw us curveballs. Drought, excess rain, late planting, you name it. But the difference is, if you planned ahead of time, you already have contingency options built in. You can adapt quickly instead of reacting in panic. That's how you keep yield potential on track even when the weather doesn't cooperate. And finally, let's zoom out a little and take a look at the big picture.

This isn't just about seed and fertilizer. It's about you, your family, and your future. Early

planning reduces stress. It lets you head into the season with confidence instead of constantly wondering what if. That's good for your farm. But it's also good for your sleep, your family, and your sanity. And beyond that, planning now builds a legacy. You're not just farming for 2026. You're building soil health, balancing rotations, and making your operation sustainable for the next generation. That's more than yield. That's a legacy. So here's my challenge for you.

Don't wait. Don't kick the can down the road until after the holidays. Take a little time now

while your mind is fresh and build your plan. Because yield isn't built in season. It's captured by the decisions you make today. And if you want higher yields, stronger ROI, and a smoother year, early planning is your ticket. Until next time, remember ag is easy. When you tune into the Easy Ag Podcast. That's all for today. I'm Matt Long. Grow your yield. Grow your legacy.

Grow strong with Axis Seed.