What should be included in a farm budget?

Asked by: Mrs. Eulalia Hane MD  |  Last update: September 13, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (56 votes)

A whole farm budget is a summary of available resources and the planned type and volume of farm production that are under the management of the farm owner. The whole farm budget is constructed to include the expected costs, revenues, and profitability of each enterprise that compose the overall farm business.

What are the 4 main sections to be included in a crop enterprise budget?

The information in an enterprise budget can be organized in different ways, but it typically includes sections on gross income, variable costs, fixed costs, and net income above selected costs. Gross income consists of level of output and price per unit of output.

What is a whole farm budget?

A whole-farm budget is normally constructed on an annual basis and includes all the income and costs associated with a farm's yearly production. It summarizes the major physical and financial features of the entire farm.

What is the biggest expense on the farm?

The cost of feed, which is the largest expense for farmers and ranchers, is expected to fall 13% to $69.5 billion over the year prior. While lower costs may benefit farmers, profit margins remain tight.

How to keep track of farm expenses?

By far though, the most efficient and productive method of tracking expenses is by using an accounting software program that is meant for agriculture. There are many more benefits to ag accounting software than just for tracking expenses, but expense tracking is made quick, efficient and easy by using it.

Getting Started: Building a Farm Budget for 2022

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What counts as farm expenses?

Examples include gasoline, oil, fuel, water, rent, electricity, telephone, automobile upkeep, repairs, insurance, interest and taxes. Farmers must allocate these expenses between their business and personal parts. Generally, the personal part of these expenses is not deductible.

How long should farmers keep tax records?

In some cases, farmers may need to keep the records forever. Legal documents, such as business formation records, deeds, property appraisals, bill of sale documents, etc., should be kept indefinitely. According to the IRS, tax returns should be kept for three to seven years, depending on the situation.

What is the most profitable thing on a farm?

Top 10 Most Profitable Small Farm Crops
  1. Gourmet Mushrooms (Oyster and Shiitake) ...
  2. Microgreens. ...
  3. Heirloom Tomatoes. ...
  4. Garlic. ...
  5. Specialty Herbs (Basil, Mint, Cilantro) ...
  6. Strawberries. ...
  7. Ginseng. ...
  8. Lavender.

What is the most expensive part of farming?

The largest expenditures for crop farms are labor at $27.0 billon (13.8 percent), farm services at $26.2 billion (13.4 percent), and rent at $25.1 billion (12.8 percent). Combined crop inputs (chemicals, fertilizers, and seeds) are $56.4 billion, accounting for 28.9 percent of crop farms total expenses.

What to include in a farm budget?

A simple whole farm budget may include minimal information (e.g., list enterprises and production level) or include detailed data for each enterprise (e.g., seed and fertilizer prices and volumes, custom harvest costs, pre- and postproduction labor hours, application rates, etc.).

How do you calculate farm income?

Gross farm income reflects the total value of agricultural output plus Government farm program payments. Net farm income (NFI) reflects income after expenses from production in the calendar year and is calculated by subtracting farm expenses from gross farm income.

What is a whole farm plan?

A Whole Farm Plan considers all the aspects of earthworks and development to be carried out. The process identifies contours, soil types, on-farm irrigation and drainage issues, native vegetation, natural drainage lines, access to off-farm drainage and livestock and vehicle movement.

What are the 3 parts needed to create a budget?

The basic structure of a budget has three parts: revenue, expenses, and net profit. Knowing these three parts, you only need a simple spreadsheet to create your budget structure.

What is the enterprise budget of a farm?

An enterprise budget is used for planning and estimating income (revenues), expenses (costs), and profits for a single enterprise of a farm business. Enterprise budgets are constructed on a per unit basis, such as per acre or per head, to facilitate comparisons among other enterprises.

What is a cash flow budget?

A cash flow budget estimates your business's cash flow over a specific time period. You can use the information to see if you have enough cash coming in to maintain regular operations over the given time frame. It can also give insight into how to allocate your budget effectively.

Can farmers make 100K a year?

Not every farmer operates this way, but it's pretty common. If a business is successful it's not hard to find farmers taking 60-100K out per year. If it struggles, you get out or tighten your belt.

Where do farmers make the most money?

  1. Specialty vegetable farming. Grow niche or exotic vegetables that command higher prices from consumers and supermarkets. ...
  2. Organic crop production. ...
  3. Herb gardening. ...
  4. Beekeeping and honey production. ...
  5. Aquaculture. ...
  6. Agrotourism. ...
  7. Livestock breeding. ...
  8. Mushroom farming.

What is the farm income in 2024?

Net farm income is now projected at $140.7 billion for 2024, down $6 billion (4.1%) from 2023 and $41.2 billion (22.6%) from the $181.9 billion peak in 2022.

What is the cheapest farm animal to raise?

Chickens

Poultry doesn't require much space and are inexpensive to feed, which can make them a perfect animal to raise on a small hobby farm. In fact, they'll eat just about anything, including compost and weeds. In addition, chickens are multipurpose animals that provide eggs, meat and fertilizer.

How many acres does a farm need to be profitable?

While it is possible to generate enough income through farming 20 to 40 acres, in most cases folks approach this as a part-time venture. It is much better to select an income-producing idea that you enjoy and want to do even if no profit is realized.

How to design a farm layout?

OVERALL FARM LAYOUT

This type of planning should consider the location of buildings, shelters, roads, paths, paddocks, utilities, etc. Think about the workflow that will take place on your farm, and how equipment, people, products and materials will move from one location to another.

What is the IRS 6 year rule?

6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.

How many acres to be considered a farm for taxes?

There is no minimum acreage required in order for your property to be considered a farm.

What expenses are tax deductible for a farm?

Examples of farming expenses that can be deducted:
  • Business Use of Your Home (must use exclusively and regularly)
  • Car and Truck expenses.
  • Chemicals.
  • Depreciation.
  • Feed.
  • Fertilizer.
  • Gasoline, fuel and oil.
  • Rent or lease of property or equipment.