10 Follow us on Twitter @BetterFarmingON Better Farming | February 2024 Digging Deeper WHAT GOALS DO FARMERS HAVE THIS YEAR? Many producers want to become more efficient & profitable. By Emily Croft As the growing season approaches, many producers have started making plans for the year ahead. The planning process often includes reviewing successes and challenges from the previous year. This can also be a great time to set goals, which will make it easier to measure success at year-end. Goal setting should involve assessing where the operation has been in the past, reviewing how it has grown or changed, and identifying where the current opportunities for growth lie. Many farmers aim for growth, whether it’s the whole operation or just developing one aspect of the farm. With high operating costs in recent years, many farmers may also be looking to improve their bottom line and increase their profitability. Better Farming asked readers about their farming goals for 2024. Here are some of their responses: Brady, Kawartha Lakes: I’m hoping to expand the custom farming business. Geoff, Bruce County: My goals are to produce sustainable yields, reduce inputs and maintain soil. Joan, Grey County: We are planning for a better work-life balance. Steve, Oxford County: Farm smarter and more efficient, and keep inputs as low as possible to increase better returns to my farm. For example, grouping seed orders with other farmers for bigger discounts. Jessica, Elgin County: My goal is to see growth in my lamb operation. Derek, Niagara Region: Be profitable! Michel, Prescott and Russell Counties: Continue to improve the bottom line. Eleanor, Leeds County: Make money at the same time as making some environmental improvements to the farm. I feel you can still farm with a profit and protect the environment and wildlife. I also want to host a successful summer education day on the farm. Veronique, Wellington County: Hire more help! Christine, Bruce County: Improve production. Pam, Middlesex County: Expand the herd. Steve, Kent County: I am hoping to build and expand the farm and become self-sufficient. Jon, Niagara Region: Try some homemade biological seed and soil treatment. Tim, Oxford County: Break even. Tammi, Bruce County: Improve the total weaning weight of our calves, as in raising more calves that weigh more to weaning, and increase our crop yields, especially first-cut hay and wheat. Doug, Middlesex County: To do a good job looking after the livestock, and to keep learning how to grow better crops and do a good job marketing. Get, Huron County: To have a financially successful crop year. Andrew, Grey County: Maintain current levels of production. Colleen, Northumberland County: Our main goal for 2024 is to extend and improve our rotational grazing for our beef cattle. We would also like to cement more of our barn yard so we can utilize the manure for spreading on our hay fields instead of relying on commercial fertilizer. Barclay, Wellington County: Sell more, get hurt less. Moe, Essex County: Remain profitable in a downwards market to keep our family farm sustainable. Bill, Elgin County: Better yields. Darryl, Durham Region: Help create more efficiency with feeding and bedding management. John, Prince Edward County: Hope and pray for a year as good as 2023! BF Many farmers are aiming for growth in 2024. Tracy Miller photo
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