Starting 2026 with Clarity, Capital, and Confidence

As the new year begins, many agricultural operations experience a natural shift in focus. The intensity of harvest or winter prep has eased, equipment is parked, and attention turns from the field to the financials. While the pace of physical work slows, the most important work of the year is just getting started.

At Ag Lending Group, we believe the strongest seasons are built well before the first tractor hits the field. A successful operation today requires more than agronomic expertise—it requires disciplined financial planning. January is the ideal time to review your capital structure, evaluate cash flow, and ensure your operation is positioned for growth rather than reaction in the months ahead.

Below is a practical guide to conducting a financial reset at the start of the year—and how the right lending partner can help you make 2026 your most strategic year yet.

1. Start the Year with a Cash Flow Reset

In agriculture, profitability isn’t just about revenue—it’s about timing. Expenses are constant, while income often arrives in concentrated windows. That imbalance makes cash flow management one of the most critical disciplines in your operation.

A beginning-of-year cash flow review looks back at last season while preparing for the next one:

• Where did cash tighten up? Were there unexpected input increases, repairs, or operational delays that strained liquidity?
• Was working capital sufficient? Working capital—current assets minus current liabilities—is your buffer. If it felt tight last year, that’s a signal worth addressing early.

Access to flexible capital can prevent forced decisions, such as selling crops or livestock into unfavorable markets simply to meet obligations. The goal is control—having the ability to wait, plan, and act strategically.

Take the Guesswork Out of Cash Flow Management
To simplify your beginning-of-year cash flow review, Ag Lending Group offers a free cash flow template built specifically for farm and ranch operations. A short training video shows you step-by-step how to use it, helping you identify pressure points, plan for slower months, and make strategic decisions with confidence.

Access Your Free Cash Flow Template and Training Here!

2. Re-Evaluating Existing Farm Debt in the New Year

Many producers carry loans that made sense at the time they were originated—but no longer align with today’s goals. The start of the year is the right moment to reassess whether your debt structure is still working for you.

Refinancing isn’t only about rate relief. It’s about improving efficiency and freeing up capital.

A refinance can help you:

• Reduce monthly payments by extending loan terms, improving cash flow during slower months
• Consolidate higher-cost debt, such as equipment notes or short-term credit, into a single land-secured facility
• Stabilize future planning by moving from variable to fixed rates

Your operation evolves—and your financing should evolve with it.

3. Leveraging Land Equity for Strategic Growth

Land is often your most valuable asset, yet many operations leave equity untapped. If you’ve owned your ground for several years, improved acreage, or benefited from appreciation, your loan-to-value (LTV) position may be stronger than you realize.

That equity can be deployed strategically to support long-term objectives, including:

• Acquiring adjacent land when opportunities arise quickly
• Investing in infrastructure, such as irrigation upgrades, shops, grain storage, or permanent improvements
• Strengthening liquidity without disrupting operations

Financing long-life assets with long-term capital allows your operation to grow without unnecessary strain.

4. From Tax Filing to Financial Readiness

With year-end behind us, the focus now turns to organization and documentation. While tax season is often viewed as a compliance exercise, it’s also a key opportunity to position your operation for financing success.

From a lender’s perspective, clean and consistent tax returns tell a clear story. They demonstrate operational discipline and make approvals faster and more efficient.

Early-year collaboration with your CPA can help you:

• Ensure deductions are accurately captured and categorized
• Update your Personal Financial Statement (PFS)
• Review depreciation schedules to understand future cash flow impacts

When your financials are organized early, you’re not just ready for taxes—you’re ready for opportunity.

5. Be Prepared When Opportunity Knocks: The Fast Track Advantage

In agriculture, timing matters. Equipment auctions, land listings, and expansion opportunities don’t wait.

Ag Lending Group’s Fast Track Loan is designed for producers who want clarity before the opportunity appears—not after. Through our dedicated Fast Track application landing page, borrowers can efficiently initiate the pre-approval process and gain early insight into their borrowing capacity.

With Fast Track, you gain:

• Rapid credit decisions, often within 24 hours
  
• Streamlined documentation focused on what actually matters
  
• Buying confidence, similar to a cash position

Preparation today creates flexibility tomorrow.

6. Planning Beyond This Season: The Next Generation

The beginning of the year is also a natural time to step back and look further ahead. Succession planning, while complex, is essential to preserving the long-term strength of your operation.

The right financing structure can support generational transitions, manage tax exposure, and ensure continuity without overleveraging the business.

These conversations are easier—and more effective—when started early.

Your Early-Year Financial Checklist

• Review your balance sheet and outstanding debt
• Estimate current land values and LTV
• Evaluate last year’s cash flow pressure points
• Schedule a loan review
• Organize tax and financial documentation

A Lending Partner Built for Agriculture

At Ag Lending Group, we do more than provide capital. We understand the realities of agricultural operations and the importance of timing, flexibility, and long-term planning.

Whether you’re considering a refinance, land purchase, or Fast Track pre-approval, our team is here to help you start the year with confidence.

Tell us your story.
Visit www.aglendinggroup.com or call (602) 223-1236 to connect with our team.