AgManager: A Program Tailored to Our Needs

"Computers scared me!" Eva Schaefer admits with a laugh, "and I did not want to get involved with using them." Having learned of Ag Manager through the Farm Bureau, Eva knew that it could be the answer to their need: handling the production and financial data of their farm operation, which is made up of five entities including grain, livestock and trucking. With a total of 50,000 hogs and a "small" farm, this family-run operation involves husband, wife, son and 7 employees.

But Working at a Computer is NOT "Real Work," is it????

             Part of her aversion to computers was the fear of using them, but another aspect was grounded in the work ethic which had been ingrained in her as she grew up. That work ethic was based on physical activity, being outdoors and actively involved in the day-to-day chores of the farm. Sitting at a desk, managing from an office, was NOT Eva's idea of "real work."

            Despite her objections, Eva's husband made the decision to use AgManager. Part of his rationale in this choice was the need for current reports to meet requests from financial institutions. They had been using the Farm Business/Farm Management accounting which was done once a year, but those annual reports were not current enough to satisfy bankers.

Maybe He was Right...

            Since they began using AgManager, Eva has learned to focus on knowledge-based management more than task-based. She now hires others to do some of those hands-on tasks, so that she can spend more time in the office. As she studies current information generated by AgManager, her business decisions are wise ones based on current information. Sound decisions made in the office positively affect the whole operation.

            Eva has also discovered other benefits of using AgManager through AgriSolutions. Tax preparation by someone familiar with Ag Manager helps make filing taxes much easier. When special needs arise within their operation, Eva can depend upon AgriSolutions to recommend outside contacts to provide special services.

            She also reports, "Because our operation is actually five entities, we have inter-company activity that can now be separated out by entity. We have been able to track when one entity owes another, etc. Because of our use of this program, we got rid of the farrowing part of our operation and now buy feeder pigs (strictly a wean-to-finish operation)." These kinds of day-to-day sound business decisions are made possible because of the data provided through AgManager.

Tailored to Our Needs

            What happens when you face a problem with using AgManager? "The help you get from AgriSolutions is outstanding. They are always there for you! When you run into a problem, you call and get help. The people at AgSolutions have a good agricultural knowledge." That is vital to their being able to help farmers. Another "big plus" Eva points out is the service you get with regular updates and also seminars for training.

            In talking with others about their operations and accounting systems, she has learned that many have acquired their software from one source and receive support help from another. Then, when a problem arises, each blames the other and help is not forthcoming. However, she explains, "with AgriSolutions, we get both from the same source and they are there to provide service, just a phone call away."

             "The support they offer keeps me there! When I have a problem, I call them on the phone and they can help me. They can use Web-Ex to look at our books over the internet and fix problems. So they can be at their office in Brighton and help me with problems in my books way down here!"

            Eva realizes that they have a unique operation, and that AgriSolutions' services are tailored to meet their needs. She encourages others to use AgManager, saying, "They can tailor their services to about any operation."

The Real Test: After the Flood

            Eva and her family have been able to work through any questions and problems in using AgManager with support help from AgriSolutions, but the real test came following the big flood of ‘93. "It was total chaos, living in a trailer and trying to re-finance and re-build. The folks from AgriSolutions actually came and sat down with us and worked with us to make a plan. If they had not been there, we would not still be here (in business)!"