Agricultural Budget Calculator

Combine harvesting corn field
The Agricultural Budget Calculator is a free tool to help producers figure machinery field operation and ownership costs. For more, visit the ABC website. (CAP photo)

Figuring Field Operation Costs Using the Agricultural Budget Calculator Program

February 1, 2024
This article provides an in-depth analysis of field operation costs for newer equipment versus slightly older equipment of similar size and power, which are used to determine costs for planting row crops.

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Field under cloudy sky
Although field operation costs are projected higher for 2024, some material input costs are lower than were projected for 2023, due in part to fertilizer prices and continued improvement of application practices. (Center for Ag Profitability photo)

2024 Nebraska Crop Budgets — A Mixed Review With Some Costs Higher, Some Lower

November 17, 2023
Glennis McClure, Nebraska Extension educator and farm and ranch management analyst, reviews her projections for cost of crop production in 2024.

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Cattle at feed troughs
All workshops during Ag SmartMoney Week are free to attend, but registration is encouraged. See details below.

‘Ag SmartMoney Week’ Offers Free Webinars, Workshops for Ag Producers to Improve Management Skills

November 2, 2023
The series will include three in-person workshops and seven webinars covering topics related to risk management, estate and transition planning, land leasing and rental rates, human resources and technology.

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Combine in field
In addition to equipment and operational costs, the number of acres to be harvested, time, the availability of good custom operators in your area, and harvest efficiency all contribute to making an economic decision on hiring custom work. (Center for Ag photo)

Harvest Operations: Own It or Hire It?

September 22, 2023
A review of custom rates in 2022 and how to use the Ag Budget Calculator to determine what custom operators may be charging this year.

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Drone flying over field
Trends highlighted in USDA NASS's recent Technology Use survey indicate that Nebraska producers are more readily taking advantage of technological advances to improve their farm management skills and processes. (Center for Ag Profitability photo)

Technology Use Growing on Nebraska Farms and Ranches

August 24, 2023
A recent USDA NASS survey on technology use in agriculture revealed some interesting trends for the industry — in particular, Nebraska's above-average rating on ownership and use of technology.

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Combine in field
Glennis McClure, an extension educator and farm and ranch management analyst with the Center for Agricultural Profitability, will facilitate the workshops, which are free to attend and include Q&A sessions for participants. (USDA/Flickr photo)

Tracking Cost of Production During the Growing Season Using the Ag Budget Calculator (ABC) Program

July 28, 2023
In these workshops, ag finance professionals will guide participants through the process of creating customized crop budgets for owned and rented farms, determining costs on a per-farm or field basis, and more.

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Sprayer in field
The Agricultural Budget Calculator can help producers develop economic and cash enterprise budgets to determine breakeven prices and yields. (Center for Ag Profitability photo)

Using Breakeven Analysis for Better Decisions

June 30, 2023
Center for Ag Profitability Director Larry Van Tassell explains how to calculate breakeven prices and yields, and how the Agricultural Budget Calculator can help speed the process.

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Tractor in field
ABC program users can watch for new virtual and in-person training workshops and Q&A sessions to be scheduled on the CAP website.

ABC Q&A Sessions Scheduled for June, July

May 25, 2023
Producers are encouraged to ask questions about making the best use of the ABC program for their operation and share feedback about the financial management tool during these virtual meetings.

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