By Ashley Abrahamson
To be published by Dakota Farmer at farmprogress.com
I’m fairly certain that any farmer I asked would immediately be able to tell me what their yields were for each crop, or what price their wheat brought per bushel at the elevator. And I know for a fact that every rancher could tell me exactly what the average weight and price per pound was that their calves brought. Speaking from experience, I don’t know if numbers every truly quit going through a farmer or rancher’s head. Start with the production perspective, but then throw equipment model numbers or ear tag numbers into the mix, and it just never stops.
However, when the discussion changes to net rates of return and other financial and profitability measures, those numbers aren’t as easy to come up with. That’s where the North Dakota Farm Management Program can provide assistance to farmers and ranchers with finding and maintaining the multitude of numbers that help them make the most informed decisions for their operation. If you have ever wondered about this program, the questions below should help highlight the value that it could provide to your operation.
Who/What is North Dakota Farm Management?
The North Dakota Farm Management program is made up of nine instructors across this great state. Their Mission is to provide lifelong learning opportunities in economic and financial management for persons involved in the farming and ranching business.
What Do They Offer?
This program helps farmers and ranchers improve the financial and business side of their operations by providing hands-on education and one-on-one support. The primary areas of focus are to help producers set business and family goals, keep detailed financial and production records, and analyze how their farm is performing. Instructors guide producers through budgeting, planning, and decision-making using their own operation’s data. This helps them understand costs, profitability, and long-term sustainability. By comparing their operation to similar farms or ranches and using real-world benchmarks, producers gain insight into strengths and areas for improvement, which allows them to make more informed, data-driven decisions to increase efficiency and profitability.
When Can You Start?
There is no specific time to get involved. The absolute best time to start working with an instructor would have been yesterday, but the next best time is today!
Where Are They Located?
ND Farm Management instructors are spread out across North Dakota and associated with four different colleges.
Dakota College at Bottineau:
Linda Burbidge—Bottineau
Lynsey Aberle—Minot
Morgan Stutrud—Rugby
Ashley Abrahamson—Stanley
Lake Region State College:
Darren Wilcox—Devils Lake
Jason Fewell—Carrington
North Dakota State College of Science:
Leah Maertens—Wahpeton
Kelcey Hoffmann—Fargo & Oakes
Bismarck State College:
Tyler Kralicek—Bismarck
No matter where your operation is located, an instructor is available and willing to work with you!
Why Does It Matter?
You can only make adjustments to what you know. Producers have specific numbers they need to know in order to make informed decisions from year to year. Through the annual whole-farm and enterprise analysis offered to participating producers, all of those critical and relevant numbers are combined into one comprehensive report. This information can then be confidentially compared to other similar operations throughout the region and state. These numbers can also be used by accountants and lenders for their role in your operation.
Whether you’re a beginning producer, have been involved in farming or ranching for decades, run 5 cows, or farm 10,000 acres, this program is for you. If you’re interested and need more information, visit ndfarmmanagement.com to find contact information for an instructor near you!
Abrahamson is a North Dakota Farm Management Education Program instructor at Dakota College at Bottineau and writes from Stanley. The North Dakota Farm Management Education Program provides lifelong learning opportunities in economic and financial management for persons involved in the farming and ranching business. Visit ndfarmmanagement.com, Facebook @NDFarmManagementEducation, or contact Heather Lang, State Supervisor for Farm Management Education, at hlang@nd.gov or (701) 328-2308 for more information. The ND Farm Management Education Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.