Post Harvest & Early Planning for Next Season – October 22
Harvest for the most part is winding down in the area and as it does it’s time to start thinking about what needs to be done on the farm during this much needed break from field work. I like to make myself a simple check-list based on what challenges I saw during the growing season so that I can use this to improve my cropping system for next year. Here’s a few things that are on my list and should be on yours as well.
Finalize next year’s cropping plan before Thanksgiving.
Finalizing next year’s cropping plan is the most important activity to get finished immediately after harvest wraps up because it is now the biggest driver of your farms yield and profitability in the future. Without a complete and detailed field by field cropping plan, it’s difficult to make any progress. The cropping plan is where you have the opportunity to take the notes you compiled during harvest and turn them into money in your pocket by initiating changes to the systems that you use to produce a top crop. And getting it done before Thanksgiving should be a priority so that you can spend more time with family and friends throughout the holiday season and refresh before starting to put it into place after the first of the year.
Inspect equipment and make necessary updates and repairs – especially the planter.
Inspecting and repairing all of your equipment is important, but the planter is the most important piece of equipment on your farm. Why? Because the day you plant a crop is the day you establish the maximum potential of that crop. All the other activities we do on the farm, including herbicide, fertility, and crop protection are to maintain as much of the yield potential you established with the planter as possible. Doing a better job by having a well maintained and updated planting system is the only way to increase the maximum potential of your farm.
Find meeting and educational opportunities to attend this winter.
The winter season, especially January through March are chock full of meetings being put on by ag groups and companies with the intent of sharing information and educating us on advancements in agriculture. Some of these are better than others, and some align with the information you need to make improvements on your farm. Start researching the improvements you think would benefit your farm, and find a meeting to attend to help you better understand the opportunity and if it’s right for you. Then get them on the calendar and make the commitment to attend, this is one of the easiest ways to improve your knowledge and your farm. Now’s the time to make your list and use it to drive improvement and profitability on your farm in the coming year!
~Matt Long
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