Harvest is starting to wind down across the country. While seed purchasing is a critical decision, financial strategy is just as important to creating an all-around smart agronomic plan. Tighter margins, input costs and negative working capital have created a new reality for many growers, requiring them to strategically analyze their purchasing plans for 2026.
In a recent episode of Helena’s “FieldLink Podcast,” Credit Manager Spencer Bakerink sat down to discuss credit and financing as growers start to make seed purchasing decisions for next season.
As a grower himself with over eight years of experience at Helena in credit, Bakerink understands the importance of making the right decision that will bring the biggest return on investment while being cost-effective.
“I'm talking about the same programs with producers that I'm talking about with my own family. And that really matters. At the end of the day, we're trying to make sure that we maximize our return on investment and making sure that we understand what's out there and take advantage of those lucrative offers.”
Spencer Bakerink, Helena Credit Manager
Early commitments are crucial in today’s agriculture economy. By committing early, growers can capitalize on the most advantageous financial incentives available, including cash discounts and financing options, such as low-interest or even 0% programs.
“There's no better time than now to think about what's out there,” says Bakerink.
Cash is king. Cash, or an operating line, still delivers better pricing and discounts, but with lower working capital, growers are increasingly looking at external financing as cash dwindles. Helena is meeting growers where they are by helping to create the most effective financing program for their farm. Helena partners with major players like John Deere Financial, Rabo AgriFinance and CFA and offers its own internal Helena Finance program. Providing growers with several options can help bridge gaps when banks tighten credit lines. This fall is the perfect time to lock in seed purchases for 2026 to get the best bang for the producer’s buck, secure top cash discounts and take advantage of favorable financing.
“They want to lock in that seed purchase,” says Bakerink. “They want to make sure that they give you the best cash discount and be able to take advantage of a low-interest financing.”
Helena isn’t just concerned with finances — securing the best germplasm for the grower’s farm, field and acre is significant. It is Helena’s mission to put the producer in the best financial spot to take advantage of what’s out there across the marketplace.
It is vital that growers sit down with their Helena rep to make sure they understand interest rates and cash discounts. With Helena Finance, the interest rates are a little higher than those from third-party financing companies, but we are able to offer a full cash discount.
“Tailor fitting a program to a grower's operation is the best thing we can do. There's cookie-cutter programs that are out there, but what good looks like from my seat is sitting down on the farm and going through what a grower's purchasing and saying let's build a program that fits your operation, not something that your neighbor's doing. Let's build a program tailor fitted to your operation that gives you the best bang for your buck."
Spencer Bakerink, Helena Credit Manager
Similar to how growers can leverage Helena to create an agronomic plan for their farm, they can also work with Helena Credit to customize a credit plan. Growers are starting to look at internal and external financing options more than ever before. Many are aware of external financing options, but they are also beginning to use Helena’s internal financing options.
“We're seeing our top producers now taking advantage of third-party financing when they've never had before. That's what I've stressed to our sales reps,” says Bakerink. “Don't say no for the customer. Present all the options that we have out there and let them make the decision if it fits their needs.”
The market is changing, and Helena works each day to meet the needs of today’s growers by helping them where there are voids in financing and by providing premium services to our customer base. With commodity prices rising and low margins, making early, informed decisions on seed and financing could be one of the smartest moves as we head into 2026. Don’t postpone making decisions until discounts disappear and rates climb — start the conversation today. Securing a well-structured plan is the foundation for achieving the highest possible return on investment.
Contact your local Helena representative or authorized dealer for more information on financing options. Hear more insights on financing for 2026 from Bakerink by tuning in to Episode 102 of the “FieldLink Podcast,” available on YouTube or wherever you listen.