Spring planning matters now

INDIANAPOLIS — In the next 30 days, farmers will be finalizing their plans for the 2026 season. It’s essential to get moving on those plans early, as small oversights during the winter doldrum can snowball into considerable delays once planters hit the field.

Alex Case, retail sales agronomist for Brevant seeds in Indiana, sees insufficient preparation — and what it can do to an operation — each season.

“Every year, on the first day to get in the field, farmers wish they had been better prepared for planting,” Case said. “Getting ready during the winter lull is important for a lot of reasons. Farmers invest a lot of resources and time into their crop. Avoiding delays early can safeguard those investments.”

Don’t Overlook Documentation

Documentation often goes overlooked as plans are being made — leading to errors and unsatisfactory performance throughout the season.

As farmers make their last management decisions in the coming weeks, writing down plans, especially in a spreadsheet or another digital tool, will help farmers and their yield potential in the long run.

“Farmers should be taking note of their final discussions about rate structures, product availability, quantities and timing,” Case said. “Planting moves fast. Having that game plan documented helps avoid mistakes when time gets tight.”

Get Equipment Ready Early

The lack of equipment preparation is another common early season setback. Identifying seed meter issues, ordering wear parts, ensuring fertilizer systems are operational and getting sprayers ready for weed control applications can significantly reduce the likelihood of spring interruptions.

“Many farmers have experienced equipment errors or issues on their first or second planting day,” Case said. “They get pushed out of the field, because they can’t get parts for days or can’t get equipment back up and running. Pre-trips around their fields or taking their planter to a dealer will save them the trouble down the line.”