Seasonal Guide · November 2025 · 5 min read
The best time to start planning next year's crop is before this year's harvest is even finished. Fall planning gives you first access to seed discounts, early booking incentives, and the best selection of genetics. Using fresh yield data and soil test results while they are still top of mind leads to better decisions than rushing through plans in February.
Download and analyze yield maps while harvest details are still fresh. Identify fields and zones that underperformed and investigate possible causes such as drainage issues, compaction, pest pressure, or variety differences. Compare actual yields to your pre-season projections to calibrate your expectations for next year.
Review input costs and returns by field to see which crops and fields were most profitable. This data should drive rotation decisions and resource allocation. Fields that consistently underperform may need a management change rather than simply replanting the same crop.
Finalize your crop rotation plan based on agronomic needs, market opportunities, and equipment capacity. Avoid planting corn on corn unless economics strongly justify it, as yield drag, rootworm pressure, and nitrogen costs erode margins. Rotating to soybeans, small grains, or cover crops breaks pest cycles and improves soil health.
Build a preliminary enterprise budget for each crop using current input prices and realistic yield targets. Include land costs, seed, fertilizer, crop protection, crop insurance, and machinery. Identify your breakeven price and compare it to current forward contract opportunities for price risk management.
Use fall soil test results to finalize fertilizer and lime plans. Booking fertilizer early sometimes offers price advantages, though this varies by year and market conditions. Having a detailed plan in place by December puts you ahead of operators who wait until spring to make critical decisions.
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