Agricultural Budget Calculator

Combine harvesting soybean — Setting accurate custom rates for harvesting operations is essential for balancing fuel, labor, and equipment costs to ensure profitability for producers.

Setting Custom Rates for Fall Harvest

September 20, 2024

The article discusses how to set custom rates for fall harvest operations in Nebraska, using the latest 2024 Custom Rates Survey data.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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