Successful farming can be complex and delicate. Careful planning, hard work, and an understanding of basic principles are essential to reaping the rewards of this rewarding profession. Of these principles, perhaps none is more important than the ability to measure what matters.

In farming, measuring what matters is more than simply crunching numbers. A successful farmer will have a keen eye for detail and an understanding of what metrics to track in order to increase the likelihood of success. The first step is understanding how to measure different inputs to create the ideal outputs. Tracking key metrics such as seed germination rate, soil fertility, crop yield, feed conversion efficiency, and mortality rate is necessary for a successful farmer.

At each step of the process, a successful farmer will measure metrics like this to build an understanding of how their farming practices are affecting the end product. For example, monitoring the soil fertility between areas planted and unplanted may reveal the soil treatments necessary for healthier crop yields in the future. Similarly, by tracking the health of their animals, the farmer can identify nutritional deficiencies and adjust their diet accordingly.

Measuring what matters is not just limited to the growth of the plants and animals on the farm. It is also essential to measure the economic performance of the farm. Essential metrics to track include supply and demand growth, sales growth, crop prices, expenses, assets and income streams. Successful farmers leverage this data to determine which crops have the most promising profits and which ones should be reduced and redistributed in a more cost-effective manner.

Finally, successful farming involves doing the hard work needed to ensure lasting success. While there are no shortcuts to success, a successful farmer will find areas where they can streamline processes using modern technology, such as data driven farming and automated monitoring systems. By streamlining processes and gaining feedback from the metrics measured, a successful farmer can make better decisions and realize a greater return on their investment.

In the end, successful farmers measure what matters in order to maximize their yields and economic performance. The ability to measure inputs, outputs, and economic performance correctly is essential to the profitability of the farm and need to form the foundation of any successful farming business. Leveraging technology to track data, measure results, and make better decisions are what separates the successful farmers from the unsuccessful ones.