Successive seasons of poor economic returns due to drought have created the situation of major financial limitations in many farm businesses. One part of overall farm business management involves prioritising and allocating limited financial resources to a planned farm program. This includes selecting paddocks with high performance potential (high yields, lower costs, and lower calculated risks) and can mark the beginning of business recovery after a series of poorer seasons.

However, you need to spend money to make it, and cost cutting in the wrong key areas can limit economic potential. There are many factors to be considered before a final decision is made. Even one factor can have a major effect on crop/pasture performance, regardless of the season.

This information sheet discusses the agronomic issues to consider when prioritising paddocks.