farmdoc - FAST Tool

Crop Budgeting Tool
Computes budget per-acre returns from different crops to help determine crops to plant and cash rent prices.

Compare Channels for Grain Marketing
(June 2008) Read the column...

Read all the articles on using FAST Tools published regularly in Prarie Farmer click here.

About FAST

FAST (Farm Analysis Solution Tools) are a suite of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets designed to assist those in agriculture make better decisions via user-friendly computer programs. FAST aids users in performing financial analysis, assessing investment decisions, and evaluating the impacts of various management decisions.

Requirements for FAST Tools Usage

- Windows based PC

- Microsoft Office 2003 or newer (some tools may still function with older versions of Office). A full version of Office is required; the Starter versions will not work properly.

FAST tools will not work correctly with the Mac version of Microsoft Office. The only way to run the tools on a Mac is if it also has the Windows operating system installed and a version of Microsoft Office for Windows

FAST Macro Security Settings

FAST spreadsheets require minor adjustments to Microsoft Excel's default security levels. Please see the FAST Important Security Settings Information document here for more information.

Subscribe to FAST

FAST spreadsheets can be accessed by either downloading programs from this site (free of charge) or through the subscription service.



Complete list of FAST Tools: Click here

Recent FAST Tools Updates

	Spreadsheets titles from two latest updates are shown. For more comprehensive lists, see the Full List of Tools above or section lists below.

	To Download Spreadsheets: Check the box next to the spreadsheet, then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "Download."

Download

Tool

Size

Date

User Guide

Demo

Balance Sheet & Historical Financial Statements

1330k

5/4/2012

Demo

Prepares financial statements for a farm based on beginning and ending balance sheets and revenue and expense items.

Grain Farm Budget and Projection Tool

6879k

5/3/2012

This program calculates per-acre budgets for different crops and a whole farm budget and includes breakevens. Projected financial statements and return sensitivities are available. The effects of farm level crop insurance and hedging can be analyzed.

Planting Decision Model

1325k

4/11/2012

With this program, the user can: 1) estimate the costs of planting corn and soybeans by planting date, 2) estimate the net returns from replanting, 3) prevented planting payments, and 4) compare crop rotations.

2012 Crop Insurance Decision Tool

23380k

3/1/2012

Calculates premiums, evaluates insurance payments, and provides historical data useful when making crop insurance decisions for multiple crops. Estimates are for crops in states that are harvested in 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Click here


The FAST spreadsheets are divided into seven areas of farm business analysis. Click on category title to see available tools:
	Financial Analysis Tools aid in financial statement preparation, cash flow budgeting, and assessing the financial performance of a farm operation. Investment AnalysisTools evaluate the economic impacts of investments in capital and financial assets. Loan Analysis Tools assess various loan decisions and products. Farm Management Tools aid in making farm production and management decisions. Livestock Management Tools aid in making livestock production and management decisions. Grain Marketing and Management Tools assist in tracking crop inventories from harvest to sale and evaluating grain storage decisions and marketing strategies. Risk Management Tools help users make decisions to manage risk exposure. Yield and Land Database Tools report state yield data and estimate soil productivity ratings.



	There is currently no scheduled training

Subscribe to FAST Tools and Resources DVD

	Click here for information regarding the FAST DVD subscription service and to complete the subscription form. You can type your information directly into the form or print it to fill out by hand.

	Click here to subscribe online (Visa or MasterCard accepted)

Contact Us

	If you have any questions or comments regarding the FAST spreadsheets, FAST training workshops, or anything else relating to FAST Tools and Resources, please contact: Ryan Batts 300B Mumford Hall 1301 West Gregory Drive Urbana , IL 61801 Ph: (217) 333-1817 Fax: (217) 333-5538 Email: batts@illinois.edu

Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences