Farms & Agribusiness
Farm Business Management
2007 Perspective on the Past & Future of the Conservation Reserve Program
4-page publication offering a perspective on the Conservation Reserve program, including administrative issues that must be resolved for the 2007 Farm Bill....
2012 Indiana Farm Custom Rates
A 4-page publication reporting the results of a 2012 survey of Indiana farmers, farm owners, farm custom operators, and professional farm managers on custom rates for farm machinery. included are rates for land preparat...
2013 Indiana Farm Custom Rates
This 4-page publication discusses 2013 Indiana farm custom rates, including payment for fuel, operator labor, and machinery ownership costs. The rates were compiled from questionnaires received from farmers, land owners...
Agriculture's Effect on Environmental Quality: Key Management Issues
This publication describes some important environmental concerns and offers management alternatives.
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Alcohol Distillation: Basic Principles, Equipment, Performance Relationships, and Safety
Discusses different processes of alcohol distillation with an emphasis on understanding concepts....
An Overview of Specialty Corn & Soybean Production in Indiana
Specialty grains and oilseeds have a long tradition as part of Indiana's crop mix. This publication addresses questions such as the number of acres devoted to specialty grains in Indiana, the differences in growing speci...
Anhydrous Ammonia - Understanding, Avoiding and Mediating Inherent Risks
Anhydrous ammonia is available from hundreds of agricultural retailers for their farm clientele who use this fertilizer on their corn acreage. While driving through Indiana's farmland in late fall or spring, it is a comm...
Before you sign: 7 tips for entering carbon markets
Should your farm entity participate in a carbon market? In this publication, a Purdue University educator advises that farm managers should get answers to seven questions before signing up. ...
Building a Sustainable Business
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses brings the business planning process alive to help today's alternative and sustainable agriculture entrepren...
Cage-free Egg Production: Benefits and Challenges
Consumers have many options when it comes to eggs, including eggs labeled as "cage-free". This paper explains how cage-free eggs are produced at the farm level as well as the benefits and challenges associated with c...
Capital Investment Analysis and Project Assessment
12-page publication explaining two phases of project assessment: economic profitability and financial feasibility....
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) released the 2007 Census of Agriculture on February 4, 2009. State and federal policy makers, researchers, extension personnel, growe...
Effective communication is important for any family. In farm families where work and personal life intersect, poor communication can influence not only how people get along, but how well the farm and family function. Th...
Comparable Costs of Various Energy Sources for Irrigation Pumping
This publication provides the comparative costs of various energy sources for irrigation pumping and other factors that must be considered in selecting a particular energy source....
Corn Stover for Bioenergy Production: Cost Estimate and Farmer Supply Response
8-page publication providing cost estimates for harvesting corn stover for bioenergy production...
Crop Production Recordkeeping (PDF only)
A management system which includes crop records increases returns by improving nutrient and pesticide use efficiency. This Field File provides an organized place for storing information on each crop-producing field. F...
Crop Share or Crop Share-Cash Rental Arrangements for Your Farm
The purpose of this publication is to help tenants and landlords make sound decisions and develop fair crop share arrangements. It addresses whether one should be using a crop share lease arrangement, deals with some...
Defining Your Business Through Goals and Objectives: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs (EPUB format)
This publication helps new entrepreneurs determine how a new venture will fit with their personal and business goals. It uses the example of a new bakery start-up to illustrate the concepts discussed.
This publication ...
Determining a Value for Corn Silage
Pricing silage crops can be much more challenging than pricing grains. This publication outlines methods for determining prices for various types of silage and includes a Web link to Purdue's Corn Silage Crop Calculator ...
Developing Effective Job Descriptions for Small Businesses and Farms
16-page publication explaining the components of effective job descriptions and providing a suggested format for a job description and a few examples to illustrate how completed job descriptions might look....
Developing Vision and Mission Statements
12-page publication to help farm business managers develop effective vision and mission statements to help them gain a better understanding of themselves, their business, and the business environment in which they operat...
Drought and Nutrient Management Considerations for Dairy Farms
Drought can affect dairy farms long after the dry spell is over. That is especially true when it comes to the manure applied to crop fields and the rate at which it is applied. This publication offers tips for fertilizin...
Dryeration and Bin Cooling Systems For Grain
Deals with the planning, operation and management of dryeration and bin cooling systems on individual farms, as opposed to country and terminal elevator installments....
Enterprise Budgeting for Horse-Drawn Power in Farming
For those considering using horse-drawn power in farming, agricultural and/or agritourism operations, the cost of production must be addressed. In this paper, three Purdue University researchers discuss the importance of...
Estimating Breakeven Sales for Your Small Business
4-page publication explaining how to estimate breakeven sales for your business and conduct a sensitivity analysis relative to breakeven sales....
Estimating Breakeven Sales for Your Small Business (EPUB format)
This publication explains how to estimate breakeven sales for your business to help you set goals concerning the sales volume you will need to for your small business to be profitable.
NOTE: After you pay for your ePub...
Fan Sizing and Application for Bin Drying/Cooling of Grain
Presents data and tables for determining the air flow, system performance and energy relationships in bin drying and cooling....
Fatal Business Planning Assumptions
4-page publication describing 10 dangerous business planning assumptions that entrepreneurs can avoid once they are aware of them....
Feeding Distillers Grain to Young Dairy Heifers
Distillers grain is a popular livestock feed because of its availability and the cost of alternative feed grains. This publication looks at how best to incorporate distillers grain into the diets of post-weaned dairy hei...
Figuring Rent for Existing Farm Buildings
Outlines several factors owners and potential renters of farm buildings must consider in determining equitable rental rates. Provides worksheets for figuring building value and cost of providing a building. ...
Food Safety Regulations for Farmers' Markets
Food Safety Regulations for Farmers' Markets 8-page publication that explains food safety regulations so that market masters and vendors can keep consumers safe at farmers' markets....
Forages and Feeding Dairy Cattle During Drought Conditions
Drought conditions create numerous challenges on a dairy farm, including slow regrowth of pasture, hay and crops to be ensiled, reduced yields, lower forage quality and increased production costs. This publication looks ...
How to Use Goals to Achieve Business Success: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs
6-page publication explaining how to use goals to identify tasks critical to a business's success and set up a tracking system for accomplishing them....
Implementing Strategy: The Key Strategic Decisions for the Farm Business
8-page publication to help farm business managers make strategic decisions in seven areas: business enterprise focus, growth/downsizing, marketing and channel linkages, financial structure and business model, organizatio...
Income Enhancement Strategies for Farmers
As farmers, you know that cost reduction is clearly the place to begin when developing survival strategies if you are facing serious financial difficulties. However, another effective survival strategy is enhancing your ...
Indiana Agricultural Statistics App (iOS)
The "Indiana Agricultural Statistics" app has information about Indiana's entire agricultural industry. This publication satisfies the growing need for accurate, reliable and unbiased information and data. The data i...
8-page publication that includes a blank cash lease form to help landlords and tenants put their agreement in writing and presents some explanations and suggestions for appropriate use of the form....
This publication discusses several key points concerning partition (line) fences and related legal topics. It is a 6-page publication on Indiana Farm Fence Laws. Discusses rights-of-way and liability for animals....
100-page book enabling farmers to keep accurate and effective farm records.
Format: 14.25 x 9.125 inches
Pages: 100
Language: English
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This publication is a resource for those who are considering high tunnel production or are relative beginners. This resource describes: selecting the right size and type of high tunnel for your operation, choosing a s...
Indiana Organic Grain Production: Cases to Consider
This 9-page publication summarizes advice and themes from seven Indiana farmers involved in organic grain production. It looks at their five farm operations, which were at different points in the organic transition proce...
Industry Analysis: The Five Forces
This 16-page publication describes the five forces that can influence an industry: bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and rivalry among competitors. ...
Intellectual Property: Obtaining Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
Intellectual property rights, including patents and trademarks, can protect business innovations. This 6-page publication describes different forms of intellectual property rights and explains how to obtain them....
Involving the Family in Goal Setting & Decision Making
Management styles for farm-family businesses are changing to involve the entire family in goals and decisions that affect the family and the farm. This publication outlines four steps for involving the entire family when...
Is Horse-drawn Farming for You?
This 6-page publication discusses points to consider in evaluating whether or not to incorporate horse-drawn farming in an agricultural operation. It includes an explanation of how to use the Purdue Horse-Drawn Farming R...
Is organic right for my grain operation?
Domestic demand for organic grains exceeds production. A lack of available information on marketing opportunities, supply and demand volumes, and pricing information might deter some farmers from making the switch. Th...
Keep the Trailer Connected to the Truck: Understanding the 'Hitch' System
This publication identifies the critical factors that keep trailers properly attached to trucks. Its goal is to help you understand how those factors work together and reduce your chances of losing a trailer on a busy hi...
Legal Aspects of Indiana Farmland Leases and Federal Tax Considerations
While an oral lease is still enforceable in Indiana, landowners and tenants are urged to have a detailed, written lease. Landlords and tenants are advised to know the Indiana laws that govern farmland lease arrangements....
This updated (October 2017) 119-page guide makes the task of identifying the requirements for new businesses easier. It's a comprehensive checklist that identifies the regulatory requirements that must be satisfied in...
Management of Farm Labor During COVID-19 Pandemic
The unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic may force produce growers to modify their businesses and procedures. In this publication, Purdue University and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture ...
Management Tips for Spring Manure Applications
As plans for planting and getting into fields accelerate in spring, preparing ahead for manure application will help to streamline the process, insure proper nutrient application rates to support anticipated crop yields,...
Managing Farm Chemicals (brochure)
The manner in which you handle and manage all types of farm chemicals can have a major impact on the worth of your property. Planning for emergencies is a vital component of good chemical management. This brochure provid...
Managing in Times of Financial Stress
Midwest farmers learned a lot during the 1970s-80s financial crises in agriculture about how to manage financial stress. This fact sheet reviews how to manage income, cash flow, liabilities and assets. ...
This publication is designed to help farmers develop their own integrated risk management strategies--ones appropriate to their own attitudes and circumstances. It reviews factors affecting decision making in a risky e...
Managing Your Beef Herd: Highlighting Key Determinants of Success in Preconditioning
Publication providing beef cattle producers information on preconditioning, a management practice for preparing calves for a successful feedlot experience. Covers team building, weight gain, herd health and nutrition and...
Marketing's Four P's: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs
12-page publication explaining the four "P's" of marketing: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Includes a set of worksheets to help you tailor your marketing mix to your customers'....
Measuring and Analyzing Farm Financial Performance
The 40-page publication helps you measure the financial position of your farm business and analyze how changes may improve performance. A value-added feature is that it also includes a downloadable copy of an Excel®...
Negotiating Oil and Gas Leases on Indiana Farmland
Landowners in several Indiana counties continue to have an opportunity to lease or convey the rights to oil and gas exploration and production. Granting of rights to test-drill and to produce oil and gas is an important ...
Overview of Home-Based Vendor Law in Indiana
This article will help farmers and entrepreneurs who produce food products in their homes for sale at farmers markets and roadside stands to navigate h...
Pesticide Applicator Record Book
This publication is for certified private applicators to record applications of restricted use pesticides.
Click Free Download button for the fillable electronic version which is also print ready.
Supplemental sp...
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), OPP is required to consider the benefits that pesticides provide to the United States public. Benefits assessments measure the potential economic imp...
Pesticide Minibulks - Filling, Maintenance, Containment
There is no doubt that agriculture has embraced minibulk use as a very cost-effective and efficient way of moving pesticides from retailers to farms. The convenience of bypassing many smaller containers and the lower pri...
Planning for the Unexpected: Human Resource Risk and Contingency Planning
8-page publication explaining the six sections of a contingency plan and how writing one can help you plan for the unexpected and combat human resources risk....
Planning Guide to Farm Machinery Storage
Considers the economics of remodeling vs. new storage, determining the location and orientation of a new facility, estimating floor space requirements, deciding on building type and configuration, and miscellaneous co...
Pork Contracting Considerations
Vertical coordination in the pork industry will continue to increase for many reasons. Some producers with stronger balance sheets will be looking for risk management strategies that generate a stable (although probably ...
Preparing a Projected Cash Flow Statement
This 18-page publication describes the projected cash flow statement and explains how to prepare one. Examples, exercises, and worksheets are included....
Principles for Structuring Small Businesses and Farms
4-page publication explains five principles guiding the organizational structure of small businesses and describes three common organizational structures....
Protect Your Trailers and Contents from Theft: Tips for Finding the Right Deterrents and Coverage
Whether you get your news listening to the radio, watching television, reading the paper, or browsing online, it always seems that someone's trailer or its contents was stolen from a home, business, or worksite. It doesn...
Railroad Crossings: Stop, Look, Stay Alive
There is a good reason why Indiana's motto is Crossroads of America. Our state is home to more than 10,000 miles of federal, state, and county roads and 4,000 miles of railroad tracks. Trains use these 4,000 miles of tra...
Renegotiating Fixed-Price Hog Production Contracts
This publication discusses risk-sharing negotiations, arbitration and how to negotiate long-term contracts. ...
Selecting and Managing Consultants
Consultants can help you implement a plan for solving problems, provide an outside perspective on your business, or fill short-term positions calling for highly specialized skills. This is a 4-page publication that provi...
Should I Quit Dairying Because of the Drought?
Dairy farmers considering shutting down their operations following a drought should carefully weigh the pros and cons of exiting the dairy industry. This publication walks dairy farmers through the decision-making proces...
Soil testing is an integral part of a soil fertility management program. Effective soil testing provides information on the fertility status of soils within a field that can be used for making fertilizer or lime appli...
Solar Heating Systems for Confinement Livestock Buildings
This publication is designed to help the livestock producer evaluate the potential of solar heating for a particular situation. It also discusses the major factors affecting the use of solar energy and the two types of s...
Soybean Production Systems: Forward Pricing Practices of Indiana Soybean Producers
To find out how common forward pricing practices are in Indiana Purdue Extension surveyed Indiana soybean producers representing various farm sizes and regions. This publication discusses that survey's findings with resp...
Soybean Production Systems: Where Do Indiana Soybean Producers Sell?
Soybean producers' market alternatives may have a major impact on their income. This publication uses survey data of Indiana soybean producers to identify and understand the types of markets available to them as well as ...
4-page publication explaining the steps necessary to start a farmer's market....
Strategic Planning: Scanning the Horizon
12-page publication designed to help farm business managers with strategic planning to reach a desired future. Includes two helpful worksheets....
Strategies for Dealing with Agricultural Lenders
Many factors contribute to financial stress for small business owners, and farming is no exception. Dealing with lenders at such times can be an additional stress--or a way of relieving it. Here are 10 strategies for dea...
Supplementing Young Grazing Dairy Heifers with Lick Tubs: A Case Study
Lick tubs offer dairy producers a nutrient supplement option for their pasture-raised young heifers. This publication explains what lick tubs are and provides findings of a lick tub study conducted by Purdue University r...
Swine Wean-to-Finish Buildings
A wean-to-finish building is an all-in-one nursery, grower, and finishing building for swine production. These buildings are one of the newest ways that swine producers have devised to remain competitive in a increasin...
Taking Control of Farm Family Living Expenses
This publication can help you sharpen your managerial skills and take control of family living expenses. It also includes worksheets to help you record your own information. Be sure to make copies of the worksheets befor...
Tax Treatment of Conservation Easements
This publication discusses tax aspects of conservation easements from the standpoint of a forest landowner, the person selling or donating an easement. It is intended to provide you with a basic introduction to these ...
Temporary Corn Storage in Outdoor Piles
A seven-page publication giving guidelines for storing corn outdoors. Aeration information and other considerations and precautions presented together with schematics....
The Competitive Environment: New Realities
8-page publication designed to help farm business managers identify the important trends in agriculture that will affect their farm business. Includes a helpful worksheet....
The Economics of Harvesting Corn Cobs for Energy
This 8-page publication presents the results of research on the economics of harvesting corn cobs for energy. It addresses the associated, additional costs of harvesting cobs and whether or not harvesting cobs generates ...
The Effect of Ethanol on Grain Transportation and Storage
4-page publication describing the effects of ethanol production on grain transportation and storage, including near and longer term adjustments and effects on inbound and outbound transportation of corn and on grain elev...
The Elements of a Business Plan: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs
12-page publication explaining the seven elements of a business plan. Includes descriptions of common business plan errors....
The Elements of a Business Plan: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs (EPUB format)
This publication explains the seven elements of a business plan, which should be the cornerstone of a small business. It also includes descriptions of common business plan errors.
NOTE: After you pay for your ePub with...
The Farm's Legacy: A Guidebook for Intra-Family Succession
The Farm's Legacy: A Guidebook for Intra-Family Succession is a publication authored by the Purdue Succession Planning Team. This guidebook is a culmination of years of firsthand knowledge and expertise with farm familie...
The Internal Analysis of Your Farm Business: What is Your Farm's Competitive Advantage?
12-page publication to help farm business managers identify the capabilities and competitive advantages of their farms....
The Selection and Inspection of Hoses: An Integral Component of Everyday Equipment
When worn-out hoses fail or don't work, it becomes very clear how important those inexpensive parts can be. This publication describes design characteristics to look for to correctly select a hose, and offers inspection ...
5-page publication focusing on U.S. Farm policy formulation in an international context and highlighting conflicts that arise among competing interests in the domestic and international policy arenas....
U.S. Landscape Firms Surveys: Business Practices of Landscape Firms
This publication provides information about the product mix, advertising, marketing, and other business practices of U.S. landscape firms and compares them by their business diversification strategies (landscape only;...
Using the WIC Program: A Guide for Farmers' Market Masters, Vendors, and Roadside Stands
4-page publication explining how farmers' market masters, vendors, and roadside stands can use the Women, Infants and children (WIC) Program....
Value-Added Business Ventures Through Producer Alliances
4-page publication identifying the factors that producers should evaluate when considering investment in producer alliances...
Who are the organic grain buyers in the Midwestern United States?
The US domestic supply of organic grains is falling short as demand increases. Organic farmers cite barriers that include a lack of understanding about buyers' preferences. This publication presents findings of a researc...
Wind and Snow Control Around the Farm
This resource discusses briefly the principles of wind and snow control and then examines the types of control systems that might be used around the farmstead. It also provides planning guidelines for minimizing wind and...
Writing a Successful Grant Proposal
A grant can provide the funds you need to support your new business venture or for any other worthy purpose. But to win one, you must write a strong grant proposal. This 12-page publication with examples and plenty of wo...
