"You'd Think this Program Would Be a Lot Harder to Use... but It's Not!"

After years of trying to "make do" using the Quick Books program for tracking financial information related to their 3000-acre farming operation, Dan and Shelly ZuHone were eager to find a program specifically designed for agriculture. Three or four years ago, when they learned that AgManager would interface with their John Deere satellite-mapping program, they happily switched over and have been amazed at the difference in the data now available to them. Even though Dan "doesn't use the computer a whole lot," he retrieves the information Shelly has input and, using that data, is able to make informed decisions about the farming operation.

The Data is So Detailed!

            Dan is thrilled that he no longer has to add, figure, and compute the data himself. Instead, he now can print off reports through AgManager which give him a lot more detail particular to farming than he ever had before: information he needs about specific facets of the operation, such as herbicides, pesticides, fuels, etc. - the exact amounts used on which farms, for example.  As Shelly explains, "It's so detailed. . .with Quick Books (we had) none of that!"

            By combining financial and production data through the use of John Deere and AgriSolutions programs, Dan is able to "understand every one of my acres." The AgManager reports provide Dan with information he needs in order to implement those improvements which will yield the greatest profit and help the environment. Dan also presents the data to landlords so that they can make sound decisions about their land, such as tiling to remedy drainage problems.

Monthly Advisor Visits and Annual Training

            The ZuHones' advisor from AgSolutions comes periodically to discuss AgManager data and farming decisions with Dan. "If I have questions, he is the one I talk to. He's the one that helps us. He's very knowledgeable, a great help."

            Dan has attended two of AgriSolutions' annual training seminars and Shelly just one so far, but Shelly reports that "they were definitely worthwhile."

Data to Post on Their Own Website

            Last year, the ZuHones created their own website to provide information to their landlords. The home page gives information about the farm and seasonal photos of the farming operation. Another page of the website is devoted to photos and descriptions of the equipment they use.

            Each of their landlords can log on to the ZuHones' website to see photos of his own farm, as well as updates on planting, weather, harvest, yields, and prices. This feature gives landlords easy access to current information about their land and the operation. Because of the constantly-updated detailed data provided by AgManager, the ZuHones are able to keep their landlords "in the know." An e-mail link to ZuHones is also provided on the website to facilitate communication.

Anyone Can Do It

            After using AgManager for the past 3 or 4 years, Shelly comments that "for anyone, regardless of computer and accounting background, I think it would be easy enough to use. I can call the support team for help at any time."

            Even though AgManager is "easy to use," Shelly emphasizes that, "you still get all this detail." When you see the detailed data in the program reports, "you would think it would be a lot harder to use the program, but it's not."