NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) In uncertain times, getting an accurate handle on input costs can be challenging. Agricultural researchers at Purdue University are working to help farmers better calculate those expenses through a new digital tool.
“A crack team of graduate students has created a digital application to help Indiana corn and soybean farmers find this confidence,” says Purdue researcher Chad Fiechter. “For this aim, we crafted the Purdue Cost of Production Calculator, available at the Center for Commercial Agriculture website. It’s free. It works on any device, and it was built specifically for Indiana farmers with region-specific benchmarks across six Indiana production regions: North, Northeast, West Central, Central, Southwest, and Southeast.”
Fiechter says the app is easy to use, and notes help is available if users run into trouble.
“When you open the calculator, you’ll work through seven cost categories: fertilizer, seed, crop protection, labor, equipment, land, and overhead,” he explains. “Every section comes pre-filled with Indiana averages for the specific region. If you don’t have your exact input cost in front of you, you’ve still got a solid, locally relevant starting point. And if you do want to get more precise, each section has an advanced option that breaks things down input by input for the most accurate estimate possible.”
The calculator guides users through seven major expense categories and includes a built-in support helpdesk that allows farmers to contact Purdue researchers directly. Fiechter calls the system a living planning tool rather than a one-time exercise.
LEARN MORE: www.cop.farmfinlab.com
