As farms continue to shift toward wrapping up the 2020 crop year and looking toward 2021, I believe it’s a good time for leaders to begin thinking about opportunities that could potentially come in the new year.
While it’s true that it’s impossible to predict exactly what those opportunities will be, it’s a smart idea to think and plan ahead in some of the areas where they might arise. That way, when a real-life opportunity presents itself, you’ll be more ready to evaluate it quickly and act when necessary.
Know your goals
The first step – before considering any of these potential opportunities – is knowing what your priorities and goals are for your operation in 2021 – and beyond. This means taking time to evaluate your farm’s current financial statements and meet with your lenders to get a snapshot of the operation’s financial status.
Then you can do some realistic planning for major capital projects as goals for 2021 and in the upcoming five years or so. What equipment will need to be replaced? Are there buildings in need of repairs or expansion? Will you need to add any on-farm storage in the coming years? Those are a few things to consider.
Three areas to watch
With goals for upcoming capital projects in mind, you can think about these three areas for potential opportunities as we move into 2021.
Land. This is always an area of potential opportunity for farms that want to grow, but it could become more feasible for some as operations review 2020 financials. Buying land or bidding for cash rent is something to be aware of as we move into 2021 if farm growth is part of your goals. You’ll need to be able to quickly determine whether a purchase price or cash rent bid is feasible for your operation. Having the right financial information about your farm business at the right time can make the difference between being able to seize a land opportunity – or miss out on the right piece of land altogether.
Your business. When it comes to your farm operation, there can be opportunities – other than growth in terms of acres – to grow the business. It takes a willingness to learn and be on the lookout for things like unmet needs or problems that others are encountering – and being creative about how to create a way to solve those problems. If you are looking for alternative ways to grow your operation and add revenue, consider how you can offer solutions to other farms or consumers.
Markets. The grain markets seem to be entering a whole new era of price volatility – and volatility can mean opportunity, if you have a plan and are ready to act. But constantly watching the market and trying to digest all the information that’s out there can be tough when you need to be spending most of your time paying attention to leading your operation. You can get a partner to prepare for opportunity in the 2021 market and beyond. Start by learning more about the marketing solutions our advisors can help you implement for your farm.
The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Farm Progress.
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