Content by Heather Gessner

A male with three female farm administrators reviewing a binder of financial records. Courtesy: USDA

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Balance Sheet Valuations

The financial crash of the 1980’s has been attributed to changes in producer’s balance sheets, due to a decline in land prices. After this time, a two-column balance sheet was developed to help prevent that type of balance sheet collapse from occurring in the future.

Farmer sitting inside the cab of a green tractor parked inside a machine shed.

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Depreciation Determination and Use

Another component of determining net income is depreciation. This is one component of the Schedule F that many understand the least. Typically, the most use it gets is to minimize income tax through accelerated tax depreciation under section 179.

IRS Schedule "F" Form, Profit or Loss From Farming

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Farm Income Determination

Many ag producers do not like bookwork. Many times this job gets pushed to the side, until a bill is due or taxes need to be filed. It is also fair to say it is a missing component to the management of most operations. A missing component that could lead to the collapse of the operation.

sun rising over a cornfield. several grain bins are in the background.

Marketing Mindset Change

Marketing for profit may not seem new to producers, but the way they look at their marketing plans should be.

several cattlemen on horseback moving a herd of cattle at pasture

Cow Share Agreements

Getting started in the cattle business can be tricky for beginning cattlemen due to the amount of capital investment needed upfront.

Group of black cattle at a feed bunk.

Beef Cattle Budgets

What does it cost to maintain a cow for the year? This is a common question asked by producers across the nation.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

Financial Ratios and Trend Analysis

Financial Ratios and Trend Analysis is designed to formulate financial ratios and data, utilizing information provided by the producer.

a herd of brown and black cows in a field of green grass

Feed Nutrient Comparison Calculator

This comparison calculator is designed to assist producers with supplemental feed purchasing decisions for their operation.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

Move the Cows or Move the Feed

This calculator is designed to aid producers making the decision to buy feedstuffs and haul the feed to the operation, or to haul the cattle to the feedstuffs.

Three generations of men on the family farm.

Compensation Calculator

This calculator provides a method for farm families to determine what the full value of the wages/salary and benefits being provided to employees, family and non-family are.