Idaho AgBiz
Idaho AgBiz
Idaho AgBiz is your resource for Idaho crop and livestock budgets, regionally specific market information, publications and decision aids. Idaho AgBiz concentrates on Idaho specific agribusiness and farm management information.
Crop budgets
Find resources to estimate costs and returns for crop enterprises.
Crop markets
Discover up-to-date crop market information.
Livestock budgets
Find resources to estimate costs and returns for livestock enterprises.
Livestock markets
Discover up-to-date livestock market information.
Summer fellow program
UI Extension publications
View peer-reviewed, research-based educational materials produced by U of I experts.
Educational resources
Carbon markets and cows
The following resources address production and marketing risks and implications, as well as financial and legal risks associated with potential participation in emerging and diverse carbon markets.
- Carbon and cows podcasts
- Introduction: overview of carbon markets (pdf)
- Overview of opportunities for dairies in compliance and voluntary carbon markets (pdf)
- Carbon markets: risks and opportunities (pdf), insets (pdf) and offsets for dairies digesters natural gas, electricity, co-digestion — considerations (pdf), market economics and risks (pdf) and contracts
- Net Zero Initiative
Commodity marketing
Commodity marketing: using futures and options as a risk management tool is a nine-part video series which lays the foundation for establishing sound marketing practices. Topics include techniques for analyzing markets to determine price direction along with an application of various risk management tools which can be integrated into a comprehensive commodity marketing plan.
- Introduction
- Understanding risk in agriculture
- Introduction to fundamental analysis
- Introduction to technical analysis
- Introduction to futures
- Introduction to basis
- Introduction to hedging
- Introduction to options
- Hedging with options
- Grain marketing scenarios
Dairy risk management
Management tools
Below are tools and other resources that will assist with calculating budgets, cost of production and machinery costs for livestock and crops.
2018 Farm Bill decision aid resources
- University of Idaho decision aid training (pdf) — Slideshow discussing the changes in the 2018 Farm Bill and how to use Texas A&M Decision Aid
- 2018 Farm Bill agricultural commodity support programs, PNW738 — Descriptions of the 2018 Farm Bill commodity support programs
USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) tool
- University of Idaho CREP tool (excel) — Excel workbook for evaluating changes in farm revenue and water savings when enrolling in the CREP program
Machinery cost publications
Costs of owning and operating farm machinery in the Pacific Northwest, PNW346 — Detailed tables present the ownership and operating costs associated with specific pieces of farm equipment used to produce crops in the Pacific Northwest.
2013-2014 custom rates for Idaho agricultural operations, BUL729 — This publication reports the rates being charged for custom agricultural operations in Idaho. It also provides information on how to calculate machinery costs for setting custom rates and how to adjust historical custom rates using indices available from the USDA.
Software and calculators: machinery cost calculators
- 2024 University of Idaho machinery costs calculator (excel) — Version 1.00
- University of Idaho crop machinery cost calculator (exe, ZIP) — current version 1.40 - desktop application
- Kansas State machinery cost resources — Machinery cost calculators and many more decision making tools.
- Iowa State machinery cost resources — Crop decisions and machinery information and companion tools.
- Alberta machinery cost calculator — This tool allows you to calculate ownership and operating costs of common farm equipment. Use the drop-down list to choose the power unit or self-propelled machinery that will be used. When doing calculations for implements, select a power unit and the implements that will be used.
Software and calculators: enterprise budgets, crop leases, costs of production, financial record keeping
- University of Idaho crop enterprise budget (exe, zip) (CEBW) — current version 1.95 - Desktop Application
- University of Idaho livestock enterprise budget (exe, zip) (LEBW) — current version 1.95 - Desktop Application
- Idaho crop lease calculator (excel) — Calculates crop share, cash rent and flexible cash leases
- University of Idaho protein supplement cost calculator (excel) — Calculates the cost of protein supplement for livestock operation
- University of Idaho financial record keeping worksheet (excel) — Calculates net cash farm income
- FINPACK and other CFFM initiatives — FINPACK is the premier farm financial planning and analysis software, with versions for producers, lenders and educators
Publications
Visit the UI Extension catalog to find resources for Idaho's farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals.
Succession planning
The following resources will aid in the preservation of your agricultural legacy and business.
Protect Your Farm Business videos
- Part 1: Planning a first family meeting
- Part 2: Tips on retirement and how to start stepping away
- Part 3: Learn the transitions needed in succession
- Part 4: Establish a team of professional advisors
Succession and estate planning tools
- Owner to potential heir questionnaire (pdf) — Ask your potential heirs questions regarding the transition of the farm/ranch
- Potential heir to owner questionnaire (pdf) — Ask the owner questions regarding the transition of the farm/ranch
- Wittman consulting sample family agenda (word) — A complete layout of a first family meeting when discussing succession and estate planning
- Retirement calculator (excel) — How much money should you be saving or will you need in retirement?
- Social security calculator (excel) — How much money will you collect in social security?