The 2018 Farm Bill extends the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), an endorsement to farm-level crop insurance policies available through the Common Crop Insurance program, and new for 2021 is the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO). This publication explains how SCO and ECO can extend coverage beyond the 85% coverage level of multi-peril crop insurance.

This publication describes the one-on-one farm financial computer analysis service available from ISU Extension to assist farm operators in assessing cash flow and profitability in a format often requested by lenders.

Previously referenced as: PM 1775

The financial position and performance of a farm business can be summarized by four financial statements. Find out more about a net worth statement, net income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of owner equity. Sample forms included.

Financial Decision Making improves student's understanding of financial management techniques. The course enables students to better analyze and manage their farming operations. Exercises cover the creation and analysis of financial statements. Quizzes test comprehension of materials provided in the course.

Farmers make many decisions about the use of capital and credit. Making good financial decisions is often the difference between a prosperous, growing farm business and one that is constantly wondering how to pay the next bill. The Financial Decision Making course helps students build their capacity to answer the following questions about their farm businesses.

• How much to invest?
• Where to obtain capital?
• What mix of equity and debt to use?
• What credit rates and terms to negotiate?
• How much financial risk to take?

Course questions can be sent to Patrick Hatting at: fdmcourse@iastate.edu

FDM satisfies Iowa Farm Service Agency mandatory borrower education requirements.

Iowa farm financial conditions have deteriorated since 2012, but average indicators of liquidity and solvency remain close to their long-term levels.

This publication examines the financial well-being of 273 Iowa farms, detailing their average net income, net worth, debt-to-asset ratio, liquidity rating, solvency rating and working capital per acre.

This report summarizes the results of the 2014 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll - an annual survey of farmers on issues important to rural Iowa since 1982.

Topics highlighted: the next generation of farmers, farm family succession plans, opinions about retirement decisions, use of professional advisers for agricultural decision making (i.e., fertilizer program development, pest and crop disease management, soil and water conservation), the use of information technology, and rural quality of life.

The 2014 Farm Bill introduced several changes to the commodity programs available through the FSA and created a new insurance program to complement one commodity program through the RMA.

This publication provides an overview of the new safety net available to Iowa crop operators through FSA from 2014 to 2018.

Loss, grief, or depression can immobilize a person, making it hard for the individual to look realistically at a situation or to take action. It’s important for friends or family members not to ignore signs that the person needs help.

Learn more about signs of depression and suicide, and how you can encourage a friend or family member to seek help.

When a friend or relative experiences trouble, such as a death in the family, financial losses, divorce, or serious illness, it’s easier to stay away or remain silent than it is to help because you don’t know the right words.

Explore these tips and ideas of how to offer help in an uncomfortable situation.

The ISU Farm Bill Analyzer is an educational tool to help Iowa corn and soybean farmers make informed decisions regarding the reallocation of base acres and election of a commodity program for the life of the Farm Bill.

Download the ISU Farm Bill Analyzer, an Excel spreadsheet, from the Ag Decision Maker website for analyzing the decision points for corn and soybean producers in the 2014 Farm Bill.

Here is a step-by-step guide to develop a cash-flow budget, analyze the budget, and to help budget for major investments.