While pioneers in the cropping business used the tools at their disposal, often relying on hard, sweat of the brow work, gut feelings and a blank want-list paper at the kitchen table, today’s farmer-entrepreneur has a multitude of resources, often at his fingertips.
A Saskatchewan firm is offering a new Internet based farm management system to prairie grain producers saying benchmarking its unique strength. Developed by Leo Kosokowsky, an agricultural Consultant based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, calls the system AgMpower. “Since the system is Internet based, producers are able to compare their costs, returns, margins and seeding intentions with other participating producers,” said Kosokowsky. “Even the best managers can improve their operations by benchmarking.”
Participating producers have a password to access their account at www.agmpower.ca. On the site, producers can adjust their seeding intentions, price projections and expense assumptions as conditions warrant. By accurately calculating the cost of production for each grain, producers can determine their breakeven prices and do a superior job of marketing. The company says the real strength of AgMpower, and what makes it unique is benchmarking. While maintaining confidentiality, the site makes the aggregate information available to producers who in turn make their information available to the system. Producers are able to determine if their overhead costs per acre are lower or higher than average. They are also able to watch as overall seeding intentions and expected revenues figures adjust through the year. This provides valuable insights into the marketplace.
The company markets AgMpower to producers online and through local suppliers and advisors. At a cost of $300 per year, a farmer can plan, benchmark and view aggregate seeding intentions and crop margins.