by Jordan Howe
As the season shifts, growers are wrapping up the 2025 crop year and entering a familiar planning rhythm for the year ahead. While the outlook for 2026 may not signal dramatic change, it does present an opportunity to revisit strategies and align with what matters most.
This planning window — from harvest through planting — is a valuable time to shape crop and financial plans so that they reflect your operation’s goals and realities.
It’s time to pull back and review the big picture. See where you are, examine where you’ve been, and consider where you want to go. As you do, lean on trusted partnerships, and commit to practices that build resilience. This foundation will give you confidence heading into next season.
Turn to partners for help
Let’s face it: Asking for help isn’t always easy. Self-reliance is a hallmark of agriculture, but collaboration can unlock new perspectives. Engaging with others who bring different skills and experience helps fill gaps and strengthen decision-making.
Examples of partnerships that can complement your own strengths include:
- Agronomic. Work with crop consultants and other agronomic experts who can assess and inform key decisions, like seed selection or specific crop nutrition and protection strategies, to optimize yield.
- Technology. Technology continues to shape competitive operations. Precision ag and data management tools are increasingly part of high-yield strategies. When those skills aren’t in-house, many growers collaborate with experts who bring that knowledge to the table.
- Business. Just as you depend on a crop consultant to support your agronomic decisions, you can draw on the expertise of other business professionals — your banker, lenders, lawyers and tax professionals — to keep you informed and share access to useful resources that can positively impact your bottom line.
Especially when times are tough, these are the partnerships that can help you navigate your specific situation and make the most out of every opportunity.
Building financial resilience
Strong partnerships are part of the equation, but focusing on internal fundamentals and disciplined financial practices also is part of preparing for the year ahead. Here are the common areas where growers may gain some ground with better planning:
- Focus on decisions that shape outcomes. Growers still own the critical decisions that influence performance — from how budgets are structured to which marketing strategies support revenue objectives. When approached with intention, these decisions help reinforce the farm’s financial foundation.
- Explore income strategies. Alternative revenue streams — such as off-farm employment or contract farming — continue to play a role in how growers navigate market uncertainty and complement traditional income sources.
- Recognize how credit supports resilience. Clear financial records, a sound business plan and open communication with your lenders can support financial flexibility and address market uncertainty.
- Review your borrowing strategy. Your financing needs change as markets shift. Take a fresh look at your cash flow and loan options to make sure you can access credit when you need it — at the best rate possible.
This time of year often presents a chance to make the most of the tools and resources available to help shape a successful season.
Keep your focus squarely on your goals and the individual efforts you can make through planning, decision-making and improving your overall outlook. Small and steady successes will compound to create momentum that can help carry you through 2026, no matter what comes your way.
Howe is an area manager with Nutrien Financial who oversees operations across the Corn Belt, western U.S. and Canada. He provides leadership and innovative solutions to help growers increase their buying power and maximize every opportunity for success. Learn more at nutrienfinancial.com.