What’s the Best Crop to Start With in Farming Simulator? A Comprehensive Guide
Starting out in the world of Farming Simulator can be both exciting and overwhelming. With a plethora of crops, equipment, and strategies to choose from, deciding where to begin can feel like navigating a vast field without a map. The question on every new farmer’s mind is: What is the best crop to start with? The answer, while nuanced, leans towards crops that offer a balance of low initial investment, ease of cultivation, and reasonable profit. For beginners, canola and soybeans often emerge as the most reliable choices.
Why Canola and Soybeans Stand Out
Both canola and soybeans are relatively straightforward to cultivate, making them ideal for newcomers to the series. They don’t require specialized equipment beyond the basics, like a seeder and a harvester. Furthermore, they offer good market prices and are generally in consistent demand. Here’s a closer look at why these two crops are excellent starting points:
Canola: The Balanced Choice
Canola is a highly versatile crop with a relatively short growth cycle, allowing for multiple harvests within a single in-game year. Its moderate pricing provides a reliable source of income without the rollercoaster of more volatile markets. The equipment required to cultivate canola is also readily available and affordable early in the game. You won’t need to invest heavily in specialized machinery right away, which makes it a financially sound starting crop. The overall cost of seeds and fertilizer are manageable, enabling players to reinvest profits into larger equipment and more land, paving the way for farming growth.
Soybeans: Consistent Profitability
Soybeans are another great starter crop because of their stable market demand and consistently good prices. Like canola, soybeans don’t demand highly specialized equipment. This makes them an attractive choice for players looking for a low-risk way to generate initial income and expand their farming operations. Although its growth cycle may be slightly longer compared to canola, the profits are generally more consistent, offering a reliable financial backbone. Additionally, soybeans can be used in various in-game production chains, leading to even more revenue streams as you expand your farm.
Why Not Other Popular Crops at the Start?
While other crops may offer higher potential profits, they often come with significant drawbacks for new players. Here’s why some popular crops are not the best choice at the start:
- Potatoes: While potatoes can be profitable, they require specialized planting and harvesting equipment, making the initial investment much higher for newcomers.
- Sugar Beets: Similar to potatoes, sugar beets also necessitate dedicated equipment, including a sugar beet harvester, which is beyond the starting budget for most new players.
- Cotton/Sugarcane: These crops are very time-consuming and resource intensive, requiring specialized machinery. The long growth and harvest times can be challenging and less rewarding for the beginning game experience.
- Corn Silage: Though very profitable in the long run, corn silage requires specific harvesting machinery like forage harvesters, which are too expensive for starting farmers. It also necessitates additional steps like silage production, which add to the complexity.
- Oats/Barley: While simple to grow, they don’t offer the same level of profitability as canola or soybeans early on, making them less efficient for accumulating capital quickly.
Focusing on Fundamentals
Instead of chasing the highest profit immediately, focusing on the basics is crucial for beginners. Mastering crop rotation, proper fertilization, and timely harvesting is far more beneficial than prematurely jumping into complex farming practices. Learning to manage resources efficiently and reinvesting profits wisely is the best strategy for long-term success in Farming Simulator. Canola and soybeans allow you to achieve this by providing dependable income while you grasp the fundamentals.
Planning for Growth
Once you’ve established a stable income stream with canola and soybeans, you can begin exploring other crops and farming techniques. Diversifying your portfolio and expanding into new areas is key to maximizing profitability in the long run. Keep an eye on market trends, invest in better equipment as you grow, and learn from each in-game season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about crop selection in Farming Simulator, designed to help guide new players:
1. Which crop is easiest to harvest in Farming Simulator?
Canola and soybeans are among the easiest to harvest early game, as they don’t require specialized harvesting equipment beyond a basic harvester with the correct header attachment. This contrasts with crops like potatoes or sugar beets that need specialized harvesters.
2. What’s the best crop for quick cash?
Canola generally offers a good balance between growth time and market price, making it a reliable choice for quickly generating cash.
3. Is it worth selling straw or using it for animal bedding?
Selling straw can be a good source of additional income early on, but using it for animal bedding becomes more profitable when you decide to introduce livestock farming into your operations.
4. How do I determine the best time to sell crops?
Keep a close watch on the in-game market prices, which fluctuate. Generally, prices are higher when demand is high or when a crop is out of season.
5. Should I fertilize my crops in Farming Simulator?
Yes, fertilizing crops significantly increases yields and, therefore, profits. Investing in fertilizer is a must for efficient farming.
6. What’s the difference between plowing, cultivating and direct seeding?
Plowing turns the soil and introduces air, often required for heavier crops. Cultivating breaks up the soil and prepares seed beds, used by most crops. Direct seeding involves planting without disturbing the soil as much. The specific requirements vary per crop.
7. Is it better to lease equipment or buy it in the early game?
Leasing can be more cost-effective early on, as it reduces upfront costs. Buying becomes more beneficial as your income stabilizes and you require consistent use.
8. Do I need to worry about crop rotation in Farming Simulator?
While crop rotation isn’t as crucial as in real life, it can improve yields on your fields. Rotating between different types of crops helps maintain soil health.
9. What are the most profitable crops in Farming Simulator in the long run?
Corn silage is a very profitable choice once you can afford the necessary machinery. However, the initial investment is substantial.
10. Can I plant two crops in the same field at the same time?
Intercropping is a feature in the game, however, it can be advanced and doesn’t necessarily increase profits for beginners. It’s best to focus on single crop fields until you are more advanced.
11. How do I deal with weeds on my fields?
Weeding is essential as weeds can decrease your yields. Use weeders or sprayers to keep your fields clean.
12. Do seasons affect crop growth in Farming Simulator?
Yes, crops have different planting and harvesting seasons. Planning your crops according to these seasons is crucial for optimal growth.
13. Is precision farming worth it?
Precision farming involves more detailed soil analysis and variable rate applications for fertilizers and seeds. This can improve yields in the long term, especially in the later game once you have equipment to support it.
14. What about modded crops?
Modded crops can offer a variety of gameplay changes, some can be more profitable or have unique mechanics. However, it’s best to stick with default crops until you are comfortable with the game’s base mechanics.
15. When should I start focusing on animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry can provide additional income streams but requires a significant investment and management. It’s best to establish a stable crop-based income first, then gradually introduce animals into your farm.
In conclusion, beginning your Farming Simulator journey with canola and soybeans is a wise choice for beginners. Their ease of cultivation, combined with stable market prices, makes them a reliable foundation for success in the game. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can explore other crops and farming methods, but starting with these two ensures you get on the path to prosperity smoothly and confidently. Happy farming!