According to Merriam-Webster, budgeting is defined as the amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose.
ROI, on the other hand, stands for Return on Investment. In a year where all of the headlines have continually harped on the tightest income farmers will see in quite some time, it’s important not to get ROI and Budgeting confused.
At Liqui-Grow, the owners have often been heard saying, " If a customer spends $1 with us, we want them to make more than $1 on that spend”, which is ROI. Right now, we know farmers are watching their dollars and how they are spent. It’s important to us at Liqui-Grow to provide science-based information and research results with consistent ROI.
We often hear farmers say:
-“We don’t have money for that.”
-“That doesn’t pay.”
-“That seems like a lot of money, there’s no money in this crop.”
Cost is important, but ROI should run your business. As you sharpen your pencils and finish making cropping decisions for 2026, here are 3 inputs worth taking a second look at with the calculator.
Spring ExactStrip
If fertilizer dollars seemed out of reach this past fall, take a look at spring ExactStrip. Fertilizer can be placed exactly on the row you intend to plant on. As you can see in the graph on the right, we consistently show +7bu. increase in fertilizer placed on the planting row vs. broadcast application. Since ExactStrip is a $2/ac upcharge, this gives farmers a $26 ROI, at $4/bu. Talk with your Agronomy Field Advisor to learn more.
YEP Products
YEP! They work! You have probably seen our advertisement for the 8 products listed. Those products have undergone years of testing and have only been placed on the list once they have proven to provide consistent results year after year. These products often have a consistent ROI, meaning low risk, with a yield reward at the end of the season. For example, MicroAZ has averaged +5bu. over checks, with a 76% positive response across all sites from 2018 to 2023. MicroAZ is an in-furrow additive for corn. At $4/bu. corn, that is an ROI just over $13.00/acre.* If you’d like to learn more about YEP products, ask an Agronomy Field Advisor.
Preparation
Preparation is the last big input before planting, and it’s one that can be overlooked or lacks focus. Whether you’re double-checking your plans or walking through the shed, being prepared pays off. Having your plans written down helps you adjust when the weather throws a curveball, and going through equipment ahead of time lets you fix small issues before they turn into big delays. Taking time now to grease, check bearings, and look over hoses is usually cheaper than sitting still during great planting weather waiting on parts. A little maintenance before the season can save a lot of downtime when it matters most. For a refresher, watch the Liqui-Grow planting videos and review Back to Basics: 8 Fundamentals of Agriculture.
Wrap Up
Challenging years are often when the difference between budgeting and ROI matters most. Tight margins force tough decisions, but cutting inputs without considering return can cost more in the long run. As you finalize plans for 2026, the goal should be to spend smarter, spend where you gain, and maximize bushels for long-term prosperity. Focus on inputs, running the numbers, placement, and preparation that have proven to deliver consistent returns. At Liqui-Grow, we believe every dollar should work harder for you, and we’re committed to helping you evaluate decisions through an ROI lens so even in tough years, our operation is positioned for long-term success.
Questions? Give us a shout!
Text us at 564-220-2508 or email questions@liqui-grow.com.