By Amanda Kautz

Harvest 2024 has wrapped up, and it is already time to plan for next year! When you were in the fields this fall, did you bounce over any gullies that you swore weren’t there in the spring? Did you notice any tile blow holes or areas that looked like they’d ponded during the season? Did you see any change in the ditch or creek banks? Did the yield monitor drop next to the tree row again?

Now is a great time to think about things you saw and consider making changes in the coming year, especially if it’s not the first year you’ve dealt with this headache. 

Little problems, big issues

Many times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed during a busy season, and little problems aren’t worth addressing in the moment. However, little problems you ignore can turn into big problems over time. If you make note of anything you see during harvest and revisit it in the offseason, you can make sure it won’t persist into the new year.

If you keep trying to fix the same gully with tillage repeatedly, maybe it’s time to consider a more permanent solution such as a grassed waterway. Or, if you notice yield dropping by the tree row every year, consider putting in a field border to make sure your inputs are focused in an area with better return on investment. Filter strips along ditches, streams and creeks can stabilize banks and provide many water-quality benefits by filtering any runoff before it enters the water.  

Related:Prepare for 2025: Evaluate results from harvest 2024

It's also a great time to consider management changes. If you’ve been thinking about reducing tillage or trying no-till or cover crops, now is the time to really do your research. These changes can improve soil health, leading to increased infiltration, better soil structure, increased organic matter and many other benefits.

Take action

Find a conference, farm show or educational day to attend. There are many offered throughout the winter. Talk to neighbors who are successful at the system you want to implement, and learn from both their successes and failures.

Equipment modifications, changes to nutrient and pest management, and timing of field operations are all things you need to think about. Each farm is going to present unique challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Planning ahead makes it easier to schedule work with contractors, secure the best prices on supplies and seed, and be prepared with knowledge and connections you need to make your endeavors a success. The winter season gives you time to slow down, reflect on the previous year and plan for the coming season. When crops are out of the field, it is the easiest time to get the lay of the land and really see what is happening.

Related:Set up your own field trials

This is a great time to visit with your agronomist and local Natural Resources Conservation Service employees in the field and talk about any changes you’d like to make for the coming year. The real bonus is when you’re rushing in the spring during planting time and plans are already made! 

Kautz is the state soil health specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana. She writes on behalf of the Indiana Conservation Partnership.