{"id":8433,"date":"2022-06-17T09:43:31","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T14:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solinftec.com\/?p=8433"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:58:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T17:58:48","slug":"combat-uncontrollable-costs-and-uncertainty-with-ag-software-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solinftec.com\/en-us\/blog\/combat-uncontrollable-costs-and-uncertainty-with-ag-software-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Combat uncontrollable costs and uncertainty with ag software solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Combat uncontrollable costs and uncertainty with software solutions<\/h1>\n

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A lot of uncertainty is facing ag retailers and cooperatives, given the growing challenges facing their customers. And one of the most significant issues farmers are dealing with is <\/span>record-high fertilizer prices<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

To stay within budget, growers are employing a variety of strategies. <\/span>Some farmers plan<\/span><\/a> to use more animal sources like poultry litter and more<\/span> efficient placement methods, such as strip-tilling or in-furrow. In the Texas High Plains, <\/span>most farmers will skip pre-plant applications<\/span><\/a>. Others predict growers <\/span>might avoid applying fertilizer<\/span><\/a> altogether if their soils have adequate nutrient levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing cropping plans also appears to be another tactic to combat fertilizer prices. The USDA reports farmers intend to <\/span>plant more acres of soybeans<\/span><\/a> in 2022, likely because the crop has lower fertilizer needs than corn, particularly nitrogen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fuel Prices Tighten Farm Budgets Further<\/b><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, fertilizer isn\u2019t the only expense putting pressure on farmers\u2019 bottom lines. They\u2019re also contending with higher fuel prices. One farmer in South Carolina witnessed <\/span>diesel prices increase by nearly 75%<\/span><\/a>, while a grower in Illinois says the <\/span>price for a tanker load costs more than double<\/span><\/a> from 2021. Fuel prices also impact the cost of other expenses because every input delivered to the farm uses fuel to get there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether farmers do fieldwork themselves or outsource to custom applicators, they\u2019re still likely paying for the cost of that fuel. And that may affect their purchasing power for other products and services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Software Helps Retailers Improve What\u2019s Within Their Control<\/b><\/p>\n

These expenses are just two factors of a multitude that affect farmers, and any changes they make to their business can impact their retailer\u2014for good or bad. Maybe a grower now needs custom spreading because they found a manure source. But another may decide to reduce their herbicide budget and cut back on custom spraying.<\/span><\/p>\n

With so many variables outside of an ag retailer\u2019s control, now is the time to improve what is within your control. The right software solutions can help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take <\/span>Carroll Service Company, FS<\/span><\/a>, for example\u2014a retailer serving northern Illinois since 1930. The business reached a point where they needed more information to reduce expenses, increase efficiencies, and grow. With agronomic software, they were able to quantify how they were operating and the areas where they could improve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their biggest revelation was how much time their equipment spent idle. This data led them to reduce their fleet size by 30% and increase the number of acres each machine covered. Despite covering more acres in 2021 compared to 2020, they spent:<\/span><\/p>\n