It’s no surprise those who chase high-yield honors set aside acres for that very purpose. However, there’s plenty to learn from the management practices that go into growing a record crop.

Using WD-40 or motor oil on drill bits to lubricate and cool the tip results in an oily mess. Add a drill bit lube stick to your Christmas List, rather than another pair of socks, this year.

What would you do if you knew you would have a 30% profit next year instead of 3% to 10%? You’d probably think differently about your equipment needs, business improvement, infrastructure changes and land purchases. These are all things you should think about in low profit years, but it requires being more meticulous and prioritizing your decisions.

Both dynamic and resilient, the animal protein sector is likely heading into another challenging year. However, it’s important to identify potential opportunities that could help your operation survive or even thrive.