In production agriculture each year, we face new challenges and increased difficulty in running a successful operation. It is amazing to look back at over 100 years now that IFA has been able to grow and be successful. That success is largely owed to our co-op members’ incredible wisdom, hard work, and determination. Those admirable traits continue to run strong in the co-op members of today and are being passed on to future generations. I am confident that is why we will continue to overcome the difficult challenges we will face in the future.
An essential part of this success depends on proper farm planning. As we head into the end of the year and look forward to a new one, it is the perfect opportunity to evaluate the past year and plan for the future. Your local IFA crop advisor will be a valuable resource when creating, implementing, and managing your individualized farm plan. Schedule a meeting with them to discuss your farm needs and goals.
While each farm is different there are some important factors to consider that each operation should evaluate. This isn’t an all-inclusive list but at least it gives you a good place to start. Each of these items deserves your consideration. It is also important to remember that each of these items affects the others so keep that in mind as you plan.
Forecast Market Trends
While each crop is different, and we can’t predict the future, carefully watching and planning for changes in the market price of our crops is critical. A good knowledge of market conditions helps in making educated decisions. For example: If alfalfa hay prices are down it could mean rotating out an aging hay stand sooner than we would have otherwise for a crop that will give us a better return on investment. Or it could mean that we wait to purchase a new piece of hay equipment until the market rebounds. Take advantage of the times when markets are good so we can make it through the hard times.
Read More About Evaluating and Managing Alfalfa Crop Stands and Other Companion Crops >>
Plan Production Levels for Maximum Profitability
Keeping records of production year to year and tracking trends in production will give you great information crucial to good decision-making. It will help you find potential weaknesses or strengths in seed varieties, fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, etc. It’s essential for profitability to know where your production levels are versus where they need to be. With this information, you can make informed decisions on many other aspects of crop production.
Lay Out Crop Rotation Plan
Choosing when and where rotation is needed across the farm can be difficult. Consulting your local IFA crop advisor will help you with this process. They have a wealth of knowledge when evaluating all the factors affecting when rotation is needed and why. Lay out a map of the entire operation and then coordinate crop rotation with your advisor. This will help you see the big picture and plan accordingly.
Pull Soil Samples Now to Encourage Soil Health Later
While this seems like a no-brainer it is amazing how often we forget to analyze our soil’s health, type, and condition. Again, fall is the perfect time to contact your local IFA crop advisor and have them pull soil samples across the farm. This investment always pays for itself in the accurate information it gives you. A soil test can help you accurately plan fertilizer needs, address soil health issues, choose appropriate crop rotation, and better plan irrigation management.
Construct a Pest Management Plan
Pest management is the umbrella that covers: weeds, insects, mites, fungus, herbivores, etc. Wise pest management takes planning and expertise. Work closely with your IFA crop advisor to plan for controlling pests in the coming year. Crop rotation, chemical mode of action, and tillage are just a few of the main methods used when controlling pests. If you know your crops and the pests that affect them, you can make the best plan for addressing those issues and plan for the costs involved.
Consider Irrigation and Weather
Irrigation and weather go together for most of the farms in the west. Plentiful water years means more production and increased opportunity to grow different crops. The drought years in the recent past had us searching for drought-tolerant crops or limiting the use of our water. Water conservation has always been a hot topic, but drought years make it even more important. Planning how, where, and when to use this limited resource is the most important part of successful farming in the West. Once again, consult your crop advisor on how to use your water resources.
Utilize an IFA Crop Advisor to Maximize Returns
Again, this is not a comprehensive list of every possible issue affecting your operation, but it will give you a great foundation. Please don’t be afraid to utilize your IFA crop advisor as much as possible in the planning process. They are a wealth of knowledge ready to help. Thank you so much for supporting IFA as a dedicated co-op member. Best of luck as you head into the end of the year and plan for the next. Long live the farmer!
Written by Daniel Dastrup, CCA & Branch Manager IFA Central Utah Agronomy Center, and originally published in the IFA Cooperator magazine (vol. 90, no. 4) Winter 2024.
Daniel Dastrup serves as Branch Manager of the IFA Central Utah Agronomy Center where he strives to provide growers with great products, prices, and services. Daniel grew up farming with his grandpa and currently raises his grass-alfalfa hay. He earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture science with an emphasis in rangeland management from Southern Utah University and loves the opportunity he has to help the agriculture community grow and be successful.