By now, most New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned unless, like me, you’ve resolved to never again order the liver and brussels sprouts special at the local diner.

Farm business resolutions are an entirely different matter. Keeping those often can mean the difference between profits and losses.

“For those of us in the livestock and forage industry, this is an excellent time to evaluate our operations, review our forage programs, consider the successes and challenges of the past year, and establish new goals for the future,” asserts Jennifer Tucker, a beef and forage extension specialist with the University of Georgia.

Tucker acknowledges that creating a forage plan can feel overwhelming, especially when the focus is centered on the gap between where we are and where we hope to be. She suggests simplifying the process by remembering a few key points. As a proponent of acronyms, Tucker uses F-O-R-A-G-E as a guide to the planning process.

F – Focus on the current positives rather than the challenge of the ultimate goal, which can be discouraging. This can cause us to abandon new initiatives and slip back into old habits. Instead, stay positive and set small, attainable benchmarks that move you forward. Each step — no matter how small — is progress.

O – Open-mindedly consider your goals and available options. Start by imagining what your ideal forage system would look like. Then narrow your focus to changes you can realistically implement within the next year. Stay informed about new techniques and technologies by leaning on trusted consultants and other experts who can help you develop a workable plan. Doing the same things year after year will produce the same results. Be open to new ideas and innovations.

R – Realistically develop a plan with simple, attainable goals. Know your forages, soil types, and fertility status. If you don’t have recent soil tests, now is the time to start. For pastures, a good rule of thumb is to test one-third of your farm each year. For example, if you have 12 fields, test four fields per year so each is evaluated on a three-year rotation. Follow your state’s extension recommendations for testing hayfields and fertilize accordingly.

A – Assess your current forage program before making changes. Identify the forages in each area of your farm and evaluate the condition of each stand (excellent, good, fair, or needs improvement) during active seasonal growth. Determine your forage pitfalls and challenges and what actions could help to address them. Assess how and when each forage will be used throughout the year to define the forage system of your operation. Determine your overall production goals.

Assess the type of livestock and their stage of production at the time of forage consumption. Will they be grazing or consuming stored forage later in the season?

Be honest about the time and management level you are willing to commit. When planning improvements, evaluate soil fertility, forage suitability, and the time frame required. Some forages such as annual grasses and legumes offer a quick impact, while perennial systems will require more time to establish and become productive.

G – Generate factual data for long-term recordkeeping and planning. This is the most important step. Develop a record for each field that includes acreage and forage type, current fertility levels based on soil tests, fertility applied to date and future needs, current use (hay or grazing), current productivity (grazing events, stocking density, or hay harvests), future plans for the area, and other relevant notes such as herbicide use that could impact future planting options.

Measure forage production based on quality and quantity during optimal periods, not just total yield. Compare seasonal forage production and nutritional value with animal needs. Use farm maps with consistent field numbering.

Consider adopting digital tools or apps for recordkeeping. There are several new digital technologies that are available now that allow you the opportunity to update your digital records in real time from the field. This allows for easier maintenance of records and reduces the potential of getting behind or forgetting to record the mental notes we often forget by the time we return to our computer or notebook.

E – Evaluate your plan regularly. Document changes you’ve made, results you observe, and new ideas you want to explore. Keep detailed notes and revisit them often. Reflect on where you started, where you want to go, and how much progress you’ve made. Written records will outlast your memory and provide critical insight over time.

“Mistakes are not failures — they are lessons,” Tucker concludes. “Don’t repeat the same mistakes — learn from them.”

There will always be challenges but having a plan provides the framework needed to stay the course. Take time to master the small steps before moving on to the next. Finally, build flexibility into your plan; a rigid plan can be just as problematic as no plan at all.