Strategic planning for ranchers and farmers

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We don’t plan to fail; we fail to plan. Allan Savory said this many times in my holistic management training and I think it bears repeating, particularly at this time of year. One strategic planning recommendation is to create an external, state-of-the-industry report, as well as an internal business update. To plan for the future, we must accurately assess where we are at, and share that with our team. We also need to contemplate the future.

Our five-year visioning will now start with: “By 2030…” Coincidentally, 2030 is the year many multinationals set for emission and sustainability targets. It will be interesting to see how they accomplish that.

We ended 2024 and started 2025 with the cattle market at all-time highs. The gross profit analysis for our financial planning — looking at the revenue and then the direct costs for each enterprise — is like nothing I have ever done before. Some in my crew are likely getting tired of hearing the “Never have I ever” refrain from me. It has been a long time coming.

Moisture varies highly. There are reports that we are moving out of drought, but one can also find reports saying the opposite. In our situation last year, we received moisture at the right times to support forage growth, but the water points are still seriously depleted. The late summer and fall showers did foster regrowth that allowed us to fall graze longer than we had anticipated.

From what I can see, the cattle cycle is yet to enter a full-on expansion phase. But remember, all-time-high carcass weights counteract the lower cow herd inventory numbers. By the time you read this, we’ll hopefully have some certainty around what tariffs are actually going to be implemented. The tariff threat has pushed our dollar down, which is attractive to our southern buyers. One side of the equation goes up and the other side goes down. I think our market analyst friend Anne Wasko needs to explain the full ramifications.

By this point, I hope readers realize I am not an expert in markets, weather or policy but simply sharing my perspective. How we respond to these circumstances depends on our own situations.

Back to strategic planning. For our internal report, we ask ourselves the following:

1. What do we have to work with (resources and people). What are our unique strengths and potential limiting factors.
2. What is most important to us.
3. What do we want to accomplish in both the short and long term.

If you’re stuck, these questions from theleadershipcoachinglab.com may help:

1. What is the challenge.
2. What is holding you back.
3. What have you already tried.
4. What haven’t you tried.
5. How can you get a new perspective. (I am always looking for insight on this one and would love it if you shared your discoveries.)
6. What tools could you use.
7. What is most important to you.
8. What do you want to do differently.

Also from the Leadership Coaching Lab, Bethany Peters outlines eight steps to personal development:

1. Clarify purpose. Get clear on your life’s purpose.
2. Envision possibilities. Develop a vision of how you want to change.
3. Evaluate priorities. Identify your growth gaps.
4. Seek perspective. Assess your mindset and motivation.
5. Design a plan. Develop a plan to achieve your vision.
6. Prototype the plan. Experiment to see what works.
7. Make progress. Build habits that stick.
8. Build perseverance. Find strategies to overcome setbacks.

Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, writes: “In growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking ‘Oh, I am going to reveal my weaknesses,’ you say, ‘Wow, here is a chance to grow!’”

Beyond all of the challenges, we are fortunate to live where we do, doing what we do. The opportunities truly are endless. At a recent women in ag conference I co-hosted, one of the exercises was to identify what you truly value about being in the agriculture industry. There were many, many ideas. A couple of ideas stood out, around community and connection.

At the end of November, I learned of an inspiring story. Alexia Pilat, a 12-year-old girl, was in horse 4-H. She didn’t have her own horse but she borrowed and shared other people’s horses. She eventually decided to start an enterprise so she could buy her own horse. She launched a custom gift basket business, made up of items from other local entrepreneurs. The Women in Ranching Event I was speaking at, hosted by the Lakeland Agricultural Research Association, purchased those gift baskets for presenters. Check her out on Instagram (@pinkhoofcreationsbyalexia).

As you continue in the winter conference season of learning and gathering, let us look from a positive, growth mindset to embrace 2025 as a year of success, however we define it. Think about what you value about being in this industry and share it.