We hear it in many arenas, yet sometimes fail to act: The key to success is planning, and preparation. In essence, to perform at our best, we need to be ready! Gold medal athletes, airline pilots, doctors, and yes, even growers!
As part of AGSI’s Ready, Set…GROW! perpetual planning framework, we’ve identified the ‘Ready’ portion of this plan as anticipating your needs well in advance of when the snow begins to melt. Just like all of those in the careers listed above, the reality is, as a grower, you really only have one shot at getting it right! Why leave anything to chance?
In collaboration with many of our growers, we’ve identified Ten Critical Steps in Making Sure YOU’RE Ready:
1. Evaluate this past growing season: Was I satisfied with my ROI? Did I make the best decisions I could have possibly have made for optimal yield performance?
2. Set Goals: Including yield targets, costs of production, and return on investment, based on past history and results as benchmarks for the coming years’ performance.
3. Ever heard the phrase, “Get your ducks in a row?” - - Formulate Plans: an inputs plan, labour plan and financial plan address products, people, and resources needed to attain and surpass your benchmarks.
4. Enter into a partnership: AGSI Solutions Team Players can assist in an in-depth crop production plan, and help guide you through the year!
5. Soil Tests: Consider it your Ready, Set…GROW! Foundation: allows for complete, fully informed plans and recommendations.
6. Consider years down the road: Have a defined crop rotational strategy in place, and select the proper seed variety for your field.
7. Taking stock of Product Logistics & Timing: we’ve heard it’s a good idea to have everything at the farm-gate before seeding. Is this a possibility for you?
8. Overall Crop Nutrition: Know your options: Your partnerships with AGSI allow you to make the most informed decision about the different fertility options available to you, and the forms they are available in to ensure balanced overall plant nutrition.
9. Mapping out a Crop Protection Plan: An AGSI Solutions Team Player can help you design the proper plan for your needs; taking into account past experience, and previous year’s weed reports, and your crop rotation strategy.
10.Mother Nature: Am I prepared to deal with whatever weather may come: proper planning allows for calculated adjustments (HINT: For anybody thinking ahead, that’s the ‘Set’ part)
Consult with your local AGSI & Partners Location today, to make sure you’re ready to be ready….when rubber hits the road!
