Dakota Farmer

3 steps to healthy farm finances

Fall can be the ideal time to make a financial plan for your farm.

Sarah McNaughton, Editor, Dakota Farmer

November 9, 2022

3 Min Read
Closeup of laptop
FINANCIAL CHECKUP: To have good financial health for your farm, John Maman of Nutrien Financial says to work with trusted advisers, take advantage of discounts and programs, and tailor plans to your operation.gpointstudio/Getty Images

Now is the time not only to prepare and plan for the upcoming growing season, but also evaluate your farm’s financial plans.

Working with a group of trusted financial planners and advisers can make the task easier. John Maman, director of sales and marketing at Nutrien Financial, says in the current market, more than ever, it’s important for growers to focus on their goals and their operations to increase profitability for next year’s crop.

He breaks down successful financial planning in three main steps.

1. Work with trusted farm financial advisers.

Maman says the best thing farmers can do to succeed in their financial plan is to collaborate with local, expert financial advisers. “Start by outlining goals with trusted financial partners,” he says.

Nutrien Financial offers access to the same level of expertise that growers have come to expect from the rest of the Nutrien Ag Solutions team. “It’s really important to revisit plans throughout the year, and don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Our experts are there to provide peace of mind and to have the field-driven economic presence to help our customers take the guesswork out of the marketplace,” Maman explains.

Working with experts who know your farm and your farm’s specific needs from seed to inputs to business decisions can take the guesswork out of creating a successful financial plan.

2. Take advantage of farm programs, terms and incentives.

Many farmers consider fall to be the beginning of the 2023 crop year, and financial planning shouldn’t be left out of your management preparations.

“Fall is always the best time to take advantage of everything the market has to offer for certain terms and incentives,” Maman says.

Not every program is meant for every farm, and farmers can benefit by having a financial planner who can align a plan and program for the agronomics on individual farms. Many seed companies also offer purchasing programs for farmers, which can be a huge cost savings for fall planning.

“This time of year, we offer attractive rates from leading corn and soybean brands, which in many cases, reward early commitments with fall 2023 terms at 0% customer APR,” he says. “It’s important to understand what these programs offer because they add economic value, and the product programs themselves offer additional value, flexibility and savings in terms offered.”

3. Make a financial plan tailored to your farm.

“No farm is the same, no year is the same, and no crop is the same,” Maman says. “Find individuals who prioritize your acres and goals in the planning process.”

He says that Nutrien Ag Solutions and Nutrien Financial have field teams to drive the best agronomics and economics for your farm and goals. “We aim to have that next door relationship beginning with our local Nutrien Ag Solutions crop consultants and branches, and supported by Nutrien Financial Territory managers that are dedicated to successful outcomes,” Maman says.

He adds that no matter the financial advisers a farm selects, it’s about finding someone willing to listen and understand growers and provide a simple and flexible approach, so no acre is taken for granted.

To find out more about services offered by Nutrien Financial, visit nutrienfinancial.com.

About the Author(s)

Sarah McNaughton

Editor, Dakota Farmer, Farm Progress

Sarah McNaughton of Bismarck, N.D., has been editor of Dakota Farmer since 2021. Before working at Farm Progress, she was an NDSU 4-H Extension agent in Cass County, N.D. Prior to that, she was a farm and ranch reporter at KFGO Radio in Fargo.

McNaughton is a graduate of North Dakota State University, with a bachelor’s degree in ag communications and a master’s in Extension education and youth development.

She is involved in agriculture in both her professional and personal life, as a member of North Dakota Agri-Women, Agriculture Communicators Network Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority Alumni and Professional Women in Agri-business. As a life-long 4-H’er, she is a regular volunteer for North Dakota 4-H programs and events.

In her free time, she is an avid backpacker and hiker, and can be found most summer weekends at rodeos around the Midwest.

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