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Spring is not just planting season — it’s decision season.
Before you seed a single acre, money is already moving fast: fuel, fertilizer, seed, repairs, labour, operating lines, and input costs. And if those decisions aren’t measured properly, spring pressure can quietly turn into fall stress.
In Episode 26 of Farmers in Finance, Rico breaks down the 5 financial moves every farmer should make this spring before seeding — so you can protect cash flow, reduce stress, and make smarter decisions for the whole season.
Why Spring Money Decisions Matter
Most farmers are excellent operators. The trap isn’t effort — the trap is timing.
Spring is spend season. Revenue often comes later. That gap is where stress builds.
Key idea: Cash flow problems don’t start when you run out of money. They start when you stop measuring timing.
The 5 Financial Moves to Make Before Seeding
1) Know your cash flow (30 / 60 / 90 days)
- What cash is leaving in the next 30, 60, and 90 days?
- What expenses are fixed vs flexible?
- Where will pressure show up first?
2) Review your operating line and cost of debt
- What is your operating line actually costing right now?
- Has your interest rate changed?
- Are you borrowing for production — or plugging past leaks?
Key idea: Debt isn’t automatically bad — but unmeasured debt is expensive.
3) Stress-test your input decisions
- What must go right for this input spend to pay off?
- What if price softens or yield misses?
- Does this expense increase margin — or just increase exposure?
Key idea: Not every expense is an investment. Some expenses just increase the size of the gamble.
4) Protect against downside risk
- Weather, breakdowns, injury, and market shifts happen — plan before the season speeds up.
- Know what’s insurable, and what needs a buffer.
- Have a simple contingency plan for “what if.”
Key idea: Risk feels abstract in spring. It feels personal by harvest.
5) Know your breakeven before you plant
- What do you need to produce to break even?
- What price assumptions are you relying on?
- How much room for error do you actually have?
Key idea: You can have a strong yield and still have a weak year if your breakeven was wrong from the start.
Spring Checklist (Save This)
- Know your cash flow (30/60/90)
- Review operating line + debt cost
- Stress-test inputs
- Protect the downside risk
- Know your breakeven
Before you seed: measure the money, test the plan, and protect the downside.
Watch Episode 26
Before You Seed: 5 Financial Moves Every Farmer Should Make This Spring | Farmers in Finance EP26
More Resources
More episodes and resources: farmersinfinance.com
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always speak with a qualified professional about your specific situation.