Project Overview
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Growers and integrators have not
had the benefit of enterprise budgets available from extension or university
sources. The Commercial Poultry Financial Management Tool (later renamed “The
Broiler Buddy”) is a user-friendly financial budgeting and management online tool
capable of comparing optional scenarios side by side and evaluating short- and
long-term results. The tool allows users to evaluate changes in many aspects of
production and cost and make decisions based on the results.
AUDIENCE EMPHASIS/DELIVERY:
Commercial growers are coming into the industry with little to no prior knowledge or experience running a farming business. It is often
left up to the growers to seek such information on their own. Integrators
(poultry companies) do not encourage or provide such information. Our efforts
to reach these new growers were mainly through meetings put together by state poultry
grower and farm organizations. Unfortunately, due to biosecurity concerns from HPAI and industry collusion concerns, grower meetings have been discouraged or cancelled. Some meetings were
held and approximately 275 growers and industry personnel were trained on using the tool. Future webinars have been discussed and scheduled. Virtual/webinar educational activities will likely be the future of teaching this tool.
OUTCOMES:
“The ability to forecast how
improvements, or lack thereof, can change their long-term business outlook, and
anticipate potential cost increases or production slumps over longer periods
can allow better budgeting and financial discipline that is needed for
long-term success.” This has rung true as we interact with users. Since going live in late September 2024, to January 2025,
there have been 396 interactions. The tutorial videos have been viewed
81 times. Users have indicated through conversations that the tool helped them more easily make big and small decisions on their farms –
such as whether to upgrade a piece of equipment or enlarge a farm.
Number of Participants: 280
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.