Growers Can’t Save Their Way to Prosperity: Invest in Inputs That Drive Bushels

When times are tight, it’s natural to want to cut costs. But here’s the truth: you can’t save your way to prosperity in farming. If you’ve ever been tempted to slash your input costs—like fertilizer, seed treatments, or fungicides—in the name of saving a few dollars, you’re not alone. But the farmers who succeed, year after year, know that the real money isn’t in cutting costs; it’s in driving bushels.

Let’s talk about why investing strategically in your crop inputs can make or break your bottom line—and why successful growers look at ROI, not just the initial price tag.

Cutting Costs Often Cuts Yields

It’s easy to look at input costs as just another expense. Fertilizer prices spike, chemical costs climb, and seed treatments seem optional. So, you cut back. You figure, “I’ll just plant and pray this year.”

But here’s what happens when you skimp:

Lower yields. Fewer nutrients mean less growth. Weeds take over. Pests win the battle. The result? Bushels left in the field.
Missed opportunities. Disease-resistant seed treatments and fungicides protect yield potential—but only if they’re used.

The result? You’ve saved a little money upfront but sacrificed bushels and dollars at the elevator. That’s not prosperity. That’s a slow bleed.


Think ROI, Not Expense

Farmers who thrive—even in tough years—operate with a different mindset. They don’t ask, “How much does this cost?” They ask, “What will this return?”

Take nitrogen stabilizers, for example. Adding N-Serve or Instinct might feel like an extra cost, but if it protects your nitrogen investment and adds 5-7% to your yield, the ROI speaks for itself.

Or consider fungicides. A cornfield battling tar spot can lose 20-80 bushels per acre. Applying Miravis Neo at VT-R1 can help stop the disease in its tracks and add bushels. That’s not a cost; it’s a potential savior for your crop.


The Bigger Picture: Investing in Your Future

Farming isn’t just about this year’s crop. It’s about building a sustainable operation that thrives year after year. Investing in the right inputs today protects your soil, strengthens your crops, increases your APH and positions you for long-term success.

Here’s what that looks like:

Soil Health That Pays Dividends

Fertility programs that include sulfur, boron, and phosphorus protection ensure your soil remains productive for decades.

Weed Control That Lasts

A 2-pass herbicide program stops weeds before they rob your crop of water, sunlight, and nutrients.

Disease Prevention That Saves Yields

Fungicides and seed treatments act as a shield, keeping your crop’s full potential intact.

Stronger APH for Future Tough Years

Investing in inputs that drive higher yields today boosts your Actual Production History (APH), setting you up with a stronger safety net for when conditions aren’t in your favor. This resilience can make all the difference in maintaining profitability during challenging seasons.


Your Next Steps

If you’re ready to move from a cost-cutting mindset to an investment mindset, here’s where to start:

Review your input plan. What’s the ROI on each decision? Where can you invest to maximize bushels? Work with you agronomist for real-world trial yield results.
Commit to your goals. Whether it’s increasing APH, protecting soil health, or growing the best crop possible, align your inputs with your vision.

Final Thoughts

You can’t save your way to prosperity, but you can invest your way there. Every dollar spent on the right inputs is a dollar that’s working for you—building bushels, replenishing soils, protecting yields, and securing your operation’s future.

So, the next time you’re tempted to cut back, remember: It’s not about what you spend. It’s about what you grow.

Let’s work together to make this your best year yet. Work with your agronomist to create an input plan that drives your farm forward.


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1100 East Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258

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