Review
This software will help potential and existing farmers make more informed decisions about financial aspects of their business. The Professional Version is used by Agriculture Agents and other consultants as they work with farm clients. It includes balance sheet construction and enterprise or unit budget formats. The FINLRB section helps users develop long-range budgets and compares financial measures related to various projected alternatives. It is the part of FINPACK that has the most application to studying the financial considerations of beginning farming situations. It works well to answer the question “What would my finances look like if I bought a farm?” The FINAN section will analyze the financial situation of an existing farm business. In other words, “Where am I now?” The FINFLO part of the program analyses future annual cash flow projections.
How to Access
This software was developed and is marketed through the University of Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management, http://www.cffm.umn.edu/. Agriculture Agents are suggested to use the Professional Version.
For UWEX agents, contact the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability to obtain your current FINPACK software: Arlin Brannstrom at 608.265.3030; or Jenny Vanderlin at 608.263.7795.
The UW-Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Education (ANRE) Program Area Farm and Risk Management (FARM) Team provides routine training on the use of the software with farmers and producers in your area.
