Decision Tools

Decision Tools

Miscellaneous
Title Author Date Downloads
U.S. Supply and Demand (WASDE) Spreadsheets

The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) are released on about the 10th of each month by USDA. These spreadsheets provides historical data for corn,  grain sorghum, wheat, and soybeans, from 1973 to present. 

October 14, 2024
Tips and Exercises for Using Excel Spreadsheets

A manual and exercises used at Excel workshops to help users understand the basics of using Microsoft Excel (pdf)

May 25, 2022
Crop Production Economics
Title Author Date Downloads
Seasonal Cash Grain Prices

An Excel spreadsheet to evaluate seasonality in the Kansas grain market

September 18, 2024
Methods of Valuing Corn or Grain Sorghum Silage

A spreadsheet tool designed to look at silage pricing methods from both the owner and buyer perspectives.

August 2, 2018
KSU-Fertilizer Tool

An Excel spreadsheet to calculate which combinations of fertilizers will meet the nutrient requirements of a field, at the lowest cost. 

March 30, 2017
KSU-Cover Crop Cost-Return Budget

An Excel spreadsheet to analyze the economics of planting a cover crop based on short-term benefits

August 10, 2016
Bermuda Hay Economics

An Excel spreadsheet to analyze the economics of planting bermuda grass and harvesting as hay

July 8, 2016
KSU Irrigation Energy Cost

A spreadsheet to compare the costs of irrigation energy options

May 23, 2016
KSU-OptionStrategies

An Excel spreadsheet to compare alternative marketing strategies that use the futures and options markets

December 12, 2013
Policy & Risk Management
Title Author Date Downloads
Financial Benchmarking Tool

A tool to assess a farm's financial position relative to other similar farms in the same region. 

September 17, 2024
2024 Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) Payment Calculator

This calculator will show SCO and ECO payments based on final county yields and harvest price for a farmer's underlying crop insurance contract.

March 8, 2024
Kansas ARC, PLC, and SCO Estimated County Outcomes, 2015-2022 March 1, 2024
KSU-Income Statement

This spreadsheet includes a cash only and accrual adjusted income statement.  This was presented at the 2020 Farm Finanical Skills for Kansas Women in Ag series.

February 26, 2020
Monthly Cash Flow for Operating Loan Determination

A spreadsheet to assist in building a monthly cash flow statement to determine operating loan levels.

August 8, 2018
KSU-Integrated Financial Statements

An Excel spreadsheet to build a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow from farm records.  Financial ratios are also computed.

December 6, 2017
Beef
Title Author Date Downloads
Hay Inventory Calculator
WEB TOOL

This tool helps assess how much hay will be needed for the cowherd and then how much hay is available based on inventory on-hand and expected tonnage to be bailed.

July 26, 2024
2024 KSU-Beef Farm Management Guide Spreadsheet

An Excel spreadsheet for beef cattle enterprise budgeting to evaluate potential income, costs and profitability. 

January 3, 2024
KSU-Beef Replacement

Excel spreadsheet to evaluate the economic value of purchasing replacement females

December 7, 2023
KSU-Detailed Cow-Calf Budget

This spreadsheet allows a user to develop a detailed beef cow/calf enterprise budget to evaluate potential income, costs, and profitability.

September 21, 2023
KSU-Merck Calf Vaccination Program Assessment Tool

This spreadsheet is a decision-aid tool for cattle producers to compare expected net profit difference between alternative calf vaccination programs. 

July 13, 2023
K-State Feeder Cattle Risk Management Tool

An Excel spreadsheet for evaluating feeder cattle risk management strategies

February 13, 2023
KSU-Beef Cow Lease (Simple)

An Excel spreadsheet for establishing a calf-income split or cash rental rate for leasing a beef cow herd

December 16, 2022
Pasture Rental Rate Decision Tool

An Excel spreadsheet for establishing a pasture rental rate based on budgeted income and party contributions.

December 27, 2016
KSU-Cattle Supplementation Cost

An Excel spreadsheet to evaluate the total costs of various protein supplement programs for cow/calf and stocker producers

June 29, 2016
KSU-Bull vs AI Breeding Costs

An Excel spreadsheet to evaluate the economic costs and benefits of natural (bull) breeding versus artificial insemination (AI) in beef herds

November 11, 2015
Cattle Breakeven Prices Yearling-Fed

An Excel spreadsheet for calculating breakeven cattle prices of yearlings placed on feed

October 13, 2015
Cattle Breakeven Prices Calf-Yearling

An Excel spreadsheet for calculating breakeven cattle prices between the calf and yearling stages

October 13, 2015
Swine
Title Author Date Downloads
2024 KSU Swine Farm Management Guide Spreadsheet

An Excel spreadsheet for swine enterprise budgeting to evaluate potential income, costs and profitability.

January 3, 2024
KSU-Hog Contract Evaluation Tool February 17, 2023
Sheep
Title Author Date Downloads
2024 KSU-Sheep Farm Management Guide Spreadsheet

Excel spreadsheet for sheep enterprise budgeting to evaluate potential income, costs and profitability.

January 3, 2024
Dairy
Title Author Date Downloads
2023 KSU-Dairy Farm Management Guide Spreadsheet

Excel spreadsheet for dairy enterprise budgeting to evaluate potential income, costs and profitability.

December 16, 2022
Silage Storage: Economics of Bunkers, Piles, or Bags for Dairy

A spreadsheet to evaluate the storage capacity requirements and the economic costs associated with storing silage in bunkers, piles, or plastic bags

March 1, 2014
Land Leasing & Purchase
Title Author Date Downloads
Lease Simulation Tool

Instructional videos for using the Lease Simulation Tool:

1. General Overview
2. How to Create a New Budget
3. Cash Versus Share Rent
4. How to Interpret Results
5. How to Run Simulations

December 14, 2020
KSU-Lease

An Excel spreadsheet to determine equitable crop share and cash lease rental arrangements

July 8, 2016
KSU-Landbuy

An Excel spreadsheet to analyze land purchase prices and land values in general

August 20, 2013
Limit-Feeding Stockers
Title Author Date Downloads
K-State Feedlot Budget Tool - Limit-Fed or Ad Lib - Marketing on the Grid

Accompanying article HERE

September 16, 2020
K-State Feedlot Budget Tool - Limit-Fed or Ad Lib - Marketing Live Cattle

Accompanying article HERE

September 16, 2020
K-State Backgrounding Budget Tool - Limit-Fed or Ad Lib - Stocker Phase

Accompanying article and video HERE

September 16, 2020
Machinery & Building
Title Author Date Downloads
Machinery Cost Calculator

1. Click the link below to download the set-up file. 

2. Open the file, click "More Info", then the "Run Anyway" button. 

3. Click "Install", then "Finish" when completed. Locate the "Machinery Cost Calculator" on the desktop and double-click to open. 

Machinery Cost Calculator - Windows Version (Set-up)
July 7, 2020
KSU-Machinery Costs

An Excel spreadsheet to assist producers in calculating farm specific custom farming rates and benchmarking machinery costs

June 30, 2016
KSU-Building Cost-Rent

An Excel spreadsheet to estimate the annual cost of owning and maintaining agricultural storage buildings to aid in determining estimates for building rent

June 30, 2016