I’ve been blessed to know many successful farmers, entrepreneurs and business leaders who always seemed to be a step ahead of the herd. What are the common threads among these folks? What core set of traits did they share? I came up with three traits and one overarching theme.

Costs of production are a common theme of farm profitability. However, it is also often confusing, elusive and changing.

How often have you heard about the importance of having financial statements? Perhaps you have heeded that advice and have used a variety of spreadsheet tools, software and outsourcing alternatives for creating accurate balance sheets and accrual income statements. Now what?

Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of Allied forces, once said,“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”