Ag businesses today face the same complex mix of challenges, but it’s the forward-thinking producers that make strategic-based decisions year-round who build the most resilient, adaptable businesses that can survive — and thrive — under pressure.

Here are the 5 things that successful producers do to maintain a strong business throughout the year:

1. Manage Long-Term Business and Capital Strategy

Strong financial strategy isn’t just about minimizing taxes — it’s about positioning your operation for sustainable, scalable growth.

Across today’s ag landscape, producers are weighing decisions around:

  • Facility expansions
  • Equipment upgrades and automation
  • Land acquisition
  • Vertical integration
  • Technology investments

Each choice affects cash flow, borrowing capacity, and long-term risk exposure. Strategic advisors help model scenarios and answer critical questions such as:

  • What will this investment truly cost over its full life?
  • How will it impact working capital during seasonal swings?
  • Does expansion strengthen or strain financial flexibility?

As Pinion agribusiness advisor Keaton Dugan says, “Long-term planning is what separates strong operations from vulnerable ones. A strategy only works if you know where you want to go.”

2. Review Entity Structure and Business Evolution

Many businesses operate for years under the same entity structure — even as the operation itself changes dramatically.

Growth brings complexity: additional family members, new business divisions, land purchases, joint ventures, custom operations, or diversified revenue streams. When structure doesn’t evolve alongside the business, inefficiencies and risk increase.

Regular structure reviews with an advisor help determine whether your current setup still supports:

  • Tax efficiency
  • Liability protection
  • Ownership flexibility
  • Reinvestment strategy
  • Long-term transition planning
  • Maximized FSA payments

Proactive adjustments today can prevent costly restructuring later.

3. Plan Ahead for Succession and Transition

Most producers intend for the business to continue beyond their own leadership. Far too few begin planning early enough to ensure a smooth transition.

Whether ownership will transfer to family members, key employees, or an outside buyer, successful transitions take time. Strategic succession planning often includes:

  • Clarifying ownership expectations
  • Defining leadership development paths
  • Establishing fair valuation methods
  • Creating buy-sell agreements
  • Planning for retirement income

As Dugan states, “A transition is not an event — it’s a process. The sooner you begin, the smoother it will be for everyone involved.”

4. Monitor Financial Benchmarks and Performance Metrics

In agriculture, timing and visibility are everything. Seasonal swings, volatile markets, and thin margins mean decisions must be made with current, accurate data — not last year’s results.

High-performing operations actively track:

  • Enterprise and product-line profitability
  • Labor efficiency
  • Overhead allocation
  • Inventory and input management
  • Cost-of-goods performance
  • Cost per acre

Regular financial reviews with your advisor transform raw data into usable insight, helping you identify what’s working, what’s underperforming, and where adjustments can strengthen margins.

Dugan emphasizes this point clearly: “Accurate records are the foundation of all good planning. Data allows you to make decisions with confidence instead of gut instinct alone.”

5. Build Out an Operational and Risk Management Strategy

Modern risks go well beyond weather. Today’s operators navigate labor shortages, regulatory changes, cyber risks, supply chain disruptions, and volatile energy costs.

Strategic advisory conversations include:

  • Insurance and risk exposure analysis
  • Automation and efficiency projects
  • Energy and infrastructure upgrades
  • Input purchasing strategies
  • Equipment lifecycle planning

The goal isn’t to eliminate risk — it’s to anticipate it, manage it, and build resilience into the operation.

New Year Business Resolution: Plan With Intention in 2026

Those who engage in year-round advisory conversations don’t just reduce surprises — they gain confidence, clarity, and control over the direction of their business.

Whether you’re preparing for expansion, developing the next generation of leadership, refining profitability, or protecting long-term viability, proactive planning allows you to respond to opportunity instead of reacting to crisis.

Strong advisory relationships don’t simply support the numbers on your financial statements. They inform smart decisions for the future of your operation.

Take the first step toward a stronger 2026. Reach out to a Pinion ag advisor to discuss your current standing and build your next-phase strategy.