Profitable farming requires keeping a close eye on your financial metrics.  Return on Equity is a number that your banker is going to pay attention to.  Here Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions talks about this metric, and when it's a better number to watch.

For the text of the video, click here:  Understanding Return on Equity

You can see progress in the field throughout the growing season - but when it comes to the business part of farming, that's sometimes a little harder to measure -- unless you're getting a report card.  Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions talk here with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about what's on this "financial report card" and how to use it in propelling your business to the next level.

The Importance of a Report Card - Frye AUDIO  For the text of the interview, click here:  The Importance of a Report Card

As you dive into the business metrics of agriculture, you start tracking Return on Assets and Return on Equity.  Whether you own or rent the land that you farm determines your target numbers in these categories.  In this video, Arlan Suderman of Farm Futures and Mike Jacobson talk through some of these issues.  If you have four minutes, you might just learn something new.

For the text of this segment, click here:  Renting Vs Owning Land and the Impact on ROA and ROE

The price tag is usually high when we're talking about shopping for the farm.  We buy equipment, land, storage buildings, make tiling and irrigation improvements.  Purchases on any of these items should made after some serious thought about the impact on the farm -- both the workings of the farm and the future capital position.  KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks with Water Street Solutions' President and CEO Darren Frye about this topic.

Is This Purchase Feasible - Frye AUDIO  For the text of the interview, click here:  Is This Purchase Feasible

We talk a lot here about the importance of having a financial analysis for your farm.  Let's address whether that's something you can do on your own.  Since we're somewhat biased in this particular discussion, we turn the microphone over the Mike Jacobson, a banker from North Platte, Nebraska.  His comments come from a panel discussion a few months ago that focused on controlling what you can control in the success of your farming operation.  It's a short video, just a little over two minutes that you can watch by clicking here.

For the text of this segment, click here:  Should You Do Your Financials on Your Own

No one can look in a crystal ball and really predict what the markets are going to do.  We can understand the fundamentals and track the technicals.  The best approach is to know just what you need from the market in order to achieve profit.  And that brings us to Understanding Your Break Evens.  KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks with Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions about how to get to a long term break even -- and the importance of knowing that number going forward into the growing season

Understanding Your Break Evens - Frye AUDIO  For the text of the interview, click here:  Understanding Your Break Evens

Many agricultural producers may have the idea that bigger is better - but that isn't always the case when it comes to profitability.  A panel at the Commodity Classic talked about some of the challenges of growth in farming.  It's a nine minute discussion that you can watch right here.  

The book that Darren Frye talks about in this segment is The E Myth by Michael E. Gerber. 

For the text of the video, click here:  Does Big Equal Profitable in Farming

Farming is all about financial risk.  The capital needs are large and spring and summer weather is unpredictable.  This week KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks with Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions about using a financial analysis as a starting point and then layering crop insurance into the farm plan.  The process is especially important for growers in expansion mode.  Click on the link below to listen to the interview.

June 1 2010 Examining the Risk in Your Operation - Frye.mp3 (3.75 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here:  Examining the Risk in Your Operation