Crop Decisions

Farming is like a Four Leaf Clover…But Luck Has Nothing to do with it!

September 23, 2014 by Summer

You might be wondering, what does a four leaf clover stand for if not luck? Well a four leaf clover needs all of its leaves to be complete. They all play an equal part in making up the clover. Farming also has four components, each of equal importance. Let’s review these four components of farming and how they contribute to a successful farm operation.

Four Components of Farm Profitability

Production – the leaf closest to the stem. Production is where it all starts, and where you have the most control. This is the part of farming when you focus on preparing the field, planting the right seed at the correct depth, nurturing it along the growing season and taking ownership for your business!
Crop Insurance – the leaf directly above production. This leaf protects your investment, secures revenue, and provides peace-of-mind. You need to make sure that your clover, or farm operation, is covered for the unexpected; the thing you can’t control; Mother Nature!
Grain Marketing – the remaining top leaf. Grain marking is the most challenging job farmers will face. Utilize Corn Capital Innovations’ experts to help you gain the knowledge that gets the best competitive advantage when it comes to the ever changing market. Remain on top!
Financial Management and Analysis – the final bottom leaf. Should you purchase that new piece of equipment or consider expanding your acreage? Corn Capital Innovations can help you figure out your profit margins, manage labor resources, and set you up with a secure business plan.

Maximize Your Farming Profitability

Success in farming doesn’t happen because of luck! Unlike a four leaf clover, you have the ability to make educated decisions and maximize your farming profitability. Every farmer and farming operation is unique, just like each four leaf clover in the field. Corn Capital Innovations provides a total farm business solution that can help meet those needs.

Let Corn Capital Innovations be the stem to your four leaf clover, our team is an educational hub that feeds the four components of farm profitability. Complete the form below and we will contact you to discuss how we can help positively impact your farm business. Or contact us anytime.

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Categories: Farm Profitability, General | Tags: competitive advantage, controllable factors of farming, Crop Decisions, Crop Insurance, educational hub, farm management, Farm Profitability, farming success, Financial Analysis, Financial Management, four leaf clover, Grain Marketing, production strategy

How Can You Benefit From A SWOT Plan?

January 30, 2014 by Summer

SWOT Planning SWOT is a simple system that can be used to analyze your business.

So what does SWOT stand for?
S – Strengths
W- Weaknesses
O – Opportunities
T- Threats

Reviewing each of these areas for your farm business will help you formulate better strategies. During your analysis, consider each section of SWOT with realism and try to be specific. It is worth your time!

Benefits of Using SWOT

Recognizing where your business can grow.
Understanding the possible hurdles.
Focusing on how to be competitive.
Anticipating threats and how to be proactive vs. reactive.

Internal vs. External

Strengths & Weaknesses – Both strengths and weaknesses are internal. Here is where you have the most control. Control over what crops to decide to grow, how to plant, nurture the crop during the growing season and how you sell your crop.

Opportunities & Threats – Opportunities and threats are external. They are things that you cannot change nor control; such as land for sale and at what cost, unpredictable storms, excessive rain or drought, and grain market prices.

Additional Resources

Read this article “Tool helps analyze business side of farm.” by Kim Lang of Waterstreet Solutions. It ran in the November 2009 issue of Prairie Farmer Magazine and outlines the SWOT process.
Download this template of SWOT from Businessballs.com

Many businesses both small and large have used SWOT. Doing an analysis such as this will give you a starting point to your individual plan. It will allow you to look at the big picture and take action by controlling what you can, reducing threats and positioning yourself to take advantage of any opportunities that come along.

Let Corn Capital Innovations assist you with creating a plan for your farm business in 2014. Contact us today!

Categories: Farm Profitability | Tags: Crop Decisions, Cropping Plan, farm business, Farm Profitability, farm strategies, Prairie Farmer Magazine, SWOT Plan, Waterstreet Solutions

Corn Capital Innovations Makes Sure Farmers are Achieving Their Goals

June 22, 2012 by Summer

For every farmer who has another crop in the ground congratulations on a safe & successful spring!

Many people believe that spring is the start to our crop year. However, 75% of your crop yield potential has already been dictated. We know that weather has an impact on predicting a top notch crop, but, decisions you have made up until now have a much greater impact.

As you were in the fields this spring what did you notice? What are the things you have changed or would have changed to be more prepared?

Did you know how well the combine performed last Fall by spreading out the residue? Did you review your Fall tillage plan? And what were the conditions this Spring as we prepared the soil for this year’s crop?

I’m Scott O’Neill with Corn Capital Innovations and as we worked with our clients this spring we were taking many notes on how decisions made a year ago are impacting our crop this year. Throughout the growing season the plants will tell the story of your management plan as well as the environmentally stresses we face.

Here at Corn Capital Innovations we are working diligently to make sure farmers are achieving their goals.

Categories: General | Tags: Corn Capital Innovations, Crop Decisions, crop yield potential, Scott O'Neill