PORKSHOP.2003 COMBINES HI–TECH EXPERTISE WITH PRACTICAL IDEAS

Even if you're not headed to the World Pork Expo this year, you can't afford to miss PORKSHOP, our once-a-year seminar dedicated to bringing the best management ideas to the best in the business.  If you've never attended, imagine the benefits of interacting with the absolute crème-de-la-crème of pork producers and agricultural consultants.  If you've previously attended PORKSHOP, then note these all-new, timely topics and distinguished speakers:

•	Rick Sibbel, DVM, of Global Animal Management Inc. and current president of American Association of Swine Practitioners, will update you on the latest technologies and economics of electronic identification and traceability.
•	Tom Stein, DVM, Ph.D., founder of Metafarms, will show how his firm is helping FBS clients integrate their data into a Web-based reporting and analysis platform.
•	John McNutt, MBA, past NPPC president and consultant with Latta, Harris, Hanon & Penningroth LLP, will cover his firm's standard operating procedures for e.CLIPSE managerial accounting.
•	Plus, participate in breakout sessions covering the "nuts-and-bolts" of managerial accounting and feeding/breeding production reporting and enjoy a great dinner featuring the "other white meat".

Mark June 4th on your calendars or PDA's now, and contact FBS today at 800.437.7638 or sales@fbsystems.com to insure your reservation for PORKSHOP.2003. For the full agenda, click on: PORKSHOP.2003

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All invoices for the 2003 TiMEsavr upgrades and support plan renewals will be mailed within the next 30 days.  Be sure to check yours for the colored coupon, which are good for a $20-$40 discount if redeemed with your payment by June 10, 2003.  Also, if you remit by June 30, '03, you automatically receive a Client Appreciation Program (CAP) credit.  Many of you already have a 40% credit "in the bank" that can be worth $400 for Crop Audit Plus, $600 for Smart Feeder, even $798 on the e.CLIPSE inventory valuation module.  All CAP credits expire June 30, '03, so don't put off redeeming your valuable credit on any new FBS-authored module.  So why not send your payment by June 10 to take advantage of both opportunities and save the most you can?  If you have questions about CAP and the amount of credit you've accrued, call your FBS sales representative.

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SOFTWARE Q&A – WITH Q'S FROM YOU, OUR CLIENTS!

Send us your questions/problems–be they short, long, simple or downright frustratin'!–about SeRVware and we'll handle them right "on the air" for the benefit of all.  This month's question represents a "group" effort among four different clients.

Q.

"Spring Cleaning Tips for your FBS Software"

a.

Now that the 2002 books are closed and you are started on the 2003 books it is a good time to do some spring-cleaning.  Just as you clean out desk and file drawers you should do some reorganizing and cleanup of your software as well.  Start with the setup menu. (1.) Cost/profit centers - do you need to need to add or inactivate any cost centers?  Should you renumber cost/profit centers for more efficient reporting? (2.) Accounting; Ledger accounts.  Do you need to add, inactivate, or renumber any ledger accounts?  Do not delete cost centers or ledger accounts.  This will not allow you to make entries to the inactive cost center or ledger account, but will allow you to run reports on historical data. (3.) Setup Accounting, Vendors, Descriptions and Macros.  Delete any that are no longer used.  This will save time when you are inputting data and sorting through the help lists. (4.) If you have Crop Audit or Smart Feeder you should also check the different setup options under those programs.  Anytime there is an option to activate/inactivate the data field, do that rather than deleting it.  You will not be able to recall historic data assigned to that data field properly if you delete it. Are you keeping your program files current?  Download the latest program changes from our Website.  If you have skipped a month you need to do the total 7.4 download – Cheryl Brown, Support Technician Call in your questions (800.437.7638) or e-mail them to support@fbssystems.com.

•  Congratulations

Chuck Hartke, nominated for Illinois Director of Agriculture.  Prior to turning his operation over to his son, Hartke used FBS software to manage his hog and crop farm near Teutopolis, IL.  He's the second Illinois Director of Agriculture with FBS experience; the first was Becky Doyle, who served in the 90s under Governor Jim Edgar.

Zierke Co., a swine genetics company based in Morris, MN, has entered into an agreement with the Swine Industry Agricultural Cooperative of Aichi in Japan granting exclusive distribution rights of Zierke Co. genetics.  Bruce Zierke, company president, said, "We have worked hard over the last few years to develop the genetics and health status that will work well in the international arena."

•  In the News!

Jerry Safranek, Merna, NE, uses the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to match his 11 employees to tasks, according to the March, 2003 Top Producer article, "Typecast Management".  Read the full article by clicking this link, "Typecast Management"

Mike Ellis, Eminence, KY, grower and chairman of the Kentucky Precision Agricultural Network, offers his philosophy regarding on-farm variable-rate experiments in the April, 2003 Successful Farming

Dale Aupperle, president of Heartland Ag Group, Ltd.& and the Illinois chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, shares 10 thoughts for farmers wanting to buy land this year on the Successful Farming website.  Read his recommendations by clicking on the following link, Successful Farming.