Scroll through any social media platform today and you’ll see plenty of doom-and-gloom about farming and ranching. It feels almost apocalyptic at times.
Just look at the headlines:
- Rising seed costs
- Skyrocketing fertilizer prices
- Higher interest rates
- Increased tax assessments
- And let’s not even talk about equipment costs…
Add unpredictable commodity markets—where price moves seem to ignore all fundamentals—and it’s no wonder many farmers and ranchers are concerned. In fact, many feel that recent “bailout packages” simply act as pass-throughs to input providers, as input prices continue to rise despite weaker commodity prices. Trade wars, tariffs, and global uncertainty haven’t helped either.
Yes, these are real challenges.
But if we take a breath and look back at the wisdom of those who came before us, we may find something surprising: opportunity.
Growing up, I’d complain to my grandfather about how hard the landscape had become:
- “It’s impossible to survive.”
- “We can’t compete with big companies controlling pricing.”
- “Why is my trade-in valued 20% lower than it should be?”
He would hear these concerns—but he didn’t dwell on them. Instead, he’d offer a few pieces of timeless advice:
- Control what you can control.
- Emotion has no place in running a business.
- Everything is for sale.
- And my favorite: Figure it out.
That mindset is just as relevant today.
Innovation Is Everywhere—If You’re Willing to Look
New approaches to fertilizer, soil health, and crop management are challenging conventional wisdom. The key question: Do they work?
Many of them do.
- Beck’s Practical Farm Research provides incredible, data-backed insights.
- BW Fusion has replicated trials showing meaningful cost savings.
- Ag Bio Logic offers proven ways to improve plant health and productivity.
These solutions may also carry fewer long-term risks than traditional inputs because many are naturally derived. Still—always do your research, study the results, and ask the hard questions.
Consider variables like:
- Plant population and the point of diminishing returns
- Nitrogen volume vs. nitrogen uptake
- Timing strategies
- Intensive grazing methods
- Alternative protein sources
These are all areas where you can exert control.
Control What You Can Control
Marketing is a great example. Tools like the Dynamic Hedge Program, created by Chris Miller, remove emotional decision-making by relying on algorithms designed to protect the bottom line.
Or equipment decisions—why automatically trade in? Selling equipment independently can give you better leverage and more cash for the next purchase.
Do you hold transitional land? There may be opportunities to exchange it for more productive acreage at ratios as high as 2:1.
Opportunity or Obstacle?
Ultimately, the agricultural landscape can look like a blank canvas—or like Mount Everest. The determining factor isn’t the economy, input costs, or commodity markets.
It’s how we respond.
The opportunities exist. We just need to Figure It Out.
Feel free to contact me if you would have any interest in researching further the innovative products presented by Beck’s, BW Fusion, Ag Bio Logic, and Chris Miller. I would be happy to connect you with my contacts in those organizations.
Neal Herr
Broker IN/MI
Neal.herr@acrepro.com
765-437-9468
