Corn, soybean and wheat producers should pay close attention to their machinery costs in 2006.
South Dakota State University Extension Area Management Specialist Jack Davis says machinery costs range from 20% to 25% of total costs for the three crops. Operating costs of machinery account for approximately 40% of total machinery costs with the other 60% being ownership costs of depreciation, interest, and insurance. One key is to manage productivity on operating machinery. A more important factor is to manage the capital invested in machinery, since 60% of the machinery cost is ownership.
Producers should closely manage machinery ownership cost. "Long-term sound capital management pays the highest dividends," Davis says.
As illustrated below an increase in asset turnover from the South Dakota USDA average of 0.17 to 0.34 provides an additional $185,028 over 5 years. An add-on is the additional $15,400 available for withdrawals per year.
|
|
Affects of Increased Asset Turnover Rates |
|
South Dakota Farm Example |
USDA |
Increased Asset Turnover Rates |
|
Assets |
$907,000 |
$907,000 |
$907,000 |
|
Asset Turnover Rate |
0.17 |
0.34 |
0.51 |
|
Gross Revenue |
$154,190 |
$308,380 |
$462,570 |
|
Profit Margin |
34% |
34% |
34% |
|
Operating Profit |
$52,425 |
$104,849 |
$157,274 |
|
Withdraws |
15,419 |
30,838 |
46,257 |
|
Interest |
28,571 |
28,571 |
28,571 |
|
Available for Principal Payments & Investment |
$8,435 |
$45,441 |
$82,446 |
|
Difference in 5 years |
$ - |
$185,028 |
$370,056 |
"As most direct input costs escalate and profit margins are reduced, the key factor to profit becomes capital management," Davis says.
One cost that merits consideration is steadily increasing land rental rates. This "escalator" can shrink profit margins if not examined carefully. Farms with a good land base at "reasonable costs" are able to add land at higher costs and continue to keep their profit margins intact.
"This is an area where management needs to carefully analyze the addition of high cost acres. This squeeze in farm profit margins may lead to tougher negotiation sessions concerning land rents. This may include removing low-productive land from the mix," Davis says.