You’ve made your resolutions and most likely you have an idea by now of what you’re going to do on the farm in 2025. I understand that in this business you have to be flexible and yield a bit if the weather changes or something fails.

I believe farmers are pretty good at assessing their operations and determining what they need to do to stay profitable, but it’s always good to ask yourself how you’re doing.

So, here are five critical questions I believe farmers should ask themselves at the start of 2025:

Are my financial plans and risk management strategies sufficient for this year?

Regulations change, for example, the Corporate Transparency Act was ruled “likely unconstitutional” on Dec. 3, but what does that mean for you? These are the questions you need to talk over with your attorney or at the very least your FSA office.

Reviewing budgets, evaluating input costs, and ensuring adequate crop insurance coverage is essential. Growers need to consider diversifying income streams, such as adjusting crop rotations, assessing marketing options, or identifying a niche market that can be capitalized.

What new technologies or innovations can improve my efficiency and sustainability?

The rapid advancement in precision agriculture, automation and data analytics offers opportunities to reduce costs and improve yields. Farmers should consider which tools could make the biggest impact on their operations.

Related:Break down the farm budget for 2025

Also, check out developing opportunities by seeking out new trends or enterprise groups that focus on those opportunities. Ask around if you’re interested in increasing nutrient consumption or data utilization on your farm.

Can I enhance soil health and biodiversity on my farm?

Healthy soil is critical for long-term productivity and there are plenty of ways to find out if there is something you can do to enhance it. Start by assessing your soil condition and implementing practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, or amendments to improve its fertility and resilience.

There are many resources for information on soil health. Start with the Soil Health Institute or your local Extension service.

What are the market trends and consumer demands for 2025?

Do you understand shifts in demand, and can you adjust to them? It’s helpful to identify things that you can do in your operation to adjust – a cotton variety that has been grading higher, a local demand for alfalfa hay, or backing off crop that is currently flooding the market and dropping prices.

And finally, am I doing everything I can to move my operation forward?

Related:New year brings new attitude

Are you doing everything you need to? That includes estate planning, wage assessments, labor housing, labor adjustments, etc. It may even include a hard assessment of your pet projects. You work hard, but are you working efficiently?

These questions can help guide us toward a successful and resilient year in 2025. Happy New Year and keep up the good work.