Exactly What I Need, Right at My Fingertips

Mark Erdman is a busy man. With 450 cows to milk, 800 acres of corn, hay and soybeans, and 10,000 pigs to run through his finishing operation each year, there is no time to waste on bookkeeping. Tasks such as statistical analysis and preparation of financial statements, while vital to sound management, can become overwhelming. How can today's farmer, running full-tilt to manage and grow his operation, efficiently handle necessary bookkeeping and data management?

            The Erdman operation began simply enough, in 1940, when Mark's dad was just 12 years old and had only one cow. From that meager beginning, the Erdmans have grown their operation, adding little by little over these 67 years. Dad remains actively involved and Mom, now 81, still serves as bookkeeper. Desire for efficiency and sound management along with steady growth and diversification prompted the Erdman family to take advantage of vital services offered through AgriSolutions®.

            Satisfied customers of AgriSolutions Inc. for 30 years now, the Erdmans praise their account manager, Mr. Val Maeker, for his consistent "good help" to their operation. No matter how busy Val may be, he is always available and ready to offer valuable consultant help.

            Until the Erdmans acquired their first computer just five years ago, books for this growing operation were done by hand. Mark describes himself at that time as "totally illiterate with computers" and a real challenge to the support staff at AgriSolutions Inc. "I didn't even know how to turn the computer on!" Mark admits. But the competent and patient personnel at AgriSolutions made all the difference to the Erdmans' successful transition into the computer age. "I couldn't do it without their support team," Mark explains. "They are magicians. They are always there for me and they know the program well. They can walk me through any problem."

            Use of AgManager® has revolutionized the Erdmans' management of their operation by providing them with always-up-to-date information, allowing them to know from day to day exactly where they are, tracking assets and liabilities "to the penny."

            Having needed information available "right at your fingertips," is important to busy farmers, and Mark praises AgManager® for doing just that, helping him to manage the operation more efficiently. The program allows him to separate data according to activity centers (profit and cost centers) that make up the operation, providing him with the detailed information about each activity center which he needs to make sound business decisions.

            Financial officers require current, accurate information and Mark's banker is no exception. "He has told me he is amazed at how close I am on everything." With AgManager®, Mark is able to quickly access and present the precise information needed in a well-organized report. Busy farmers love to save time wherever they can, so it is with pride that Mark explains, "The financial statement takes me about 5 seconds to print out."

            Mark's advice to others about AgManager®? "Get it!" He has found this managerial accounting program to be a great tool in managing the operation and in dealing with bankers, especially when requesting a loan. AgManager® provides the information Mark needs and the reports bankers want, generating statements quickly and easily.

            Mark also cites Monsanto's Posilac as an important help in managing his operation efficiently. The Erdmans' cows were one of the charter herds to test Posilac before its release for general use, and they are happy with it, having found it to be "a good product." For the Erdman operation, Posilac increases production by 10 lbs. of milk per cow per day.