In this Issue:

 Dear Friend,

Here are photos and links from User Conference events.  View their presentations on the Conference Archives web page.

Our keynote speaker, Kent Mogler, challenges us with innovative  approaches to drive out waste.
"Pop up" breakout sessions at lunch.
Moe Russell identifies trends and opportunities in crop production costs.
John McNutt shares LattaHarris cost of production benchmarks.
Integration Partners Panel included AgCompass, DTN, Granular, Southern Illinois Scale, and Vertical Software.
Gary Therens describes the new Conservis real-time integration with FBS.
"Dr. Martin" unveils the future of FBS software and users' data.
Catching a personal demonstration at a "pop-up" roundtable.
Celebrating a big birthday on the Celebration Belle.
Controller's Corner breakout session.
Ron Ketchem shares Swine Management Service benchmarks.
Phil Lawler describes how GlobalVetLink "operationalizes" the Veterinary Feed Directive process.
Hand's on training at the Data Mining Workshop.

 ASAC Announces Annual Conference “Achieving Greater Profitability”

Join the annual ag consultant roundup in Ft. Worth.

The annual conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) will focus on sharpening skills to take you and your clients to “Achieving Greater Profitability.”   The conference, to be held November 13-15, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas will take a comprehensive look at global agriculture and the impact it has on U.S. agriculture and how ag consultants can better serve their clients domestically.

Agricultural consultants provide insight into multiple facets of ag operations.  Members of ASAC advise clients on business decisions about the current operation of, and future opportunities for, the client’s enterprise. Consultants may focus on financial matters, business structure, human relations, business succession planning, personnel management, or production and operations issues.

“We’ve lined up a program that will give consultants tools they can use immediately to help their clients in the field, no matter the focus of their consultancy,” says Erin Pirro, CAC, farm business consultant and vice president with Farm Credit East and current ASAC president.  “Day one has sessions on using USDA financial data and the ag market outlook, along with how to grow, build and market your consultancy.  Day two focuses on technology in agriculture and how it affects your client’s bottom line.”

The core of ASAC membership is ethics.  ASAC consultants value honesty and fair dealing in a manner which promotes the personal growth of their customers, employees, and shareholders.  Julie Strain, of Red Wing Software, will lead the ethics review which includes discussion amongst attendees on best practices.

“The face of agriculture changes daily, this conference will provides educational programming from leaders in agribusiness which will give ag consultants the tools they need to better serve their clients,” says program chair and ASAC vice president, Julie Strain.

Pirro concludes, “The program committee recognizes time is valuable, so we’re packing two days full of sessions designed specifically to help in all facets of an ag consultancy.”  

Additionally, the society is reintroducing its one-day, intensive course, “Consulting Firm Management: Startup, Growth & Maintenance.”  The course touches on six essential principles of consulting firm management: business management, planning, marketing, analysis, project management, networking and concludes with a roundtable discussion of best practices.  “Whether you are a “start-up” consultant or have been in business for years and want to improve the management of your consulting practice, this course is for you!” says Russell Morgan, CAC, program chair and owner of Morgan Agricultural Consulting.  Instructors are Certified Agricultural Consultants (CAC) with decades of experience in agricultural consulting.

All events are being held at the Embassy Suites Fort Worth - Downtown. 

More information about the entire ASAC program and speaker rosters is available at www.agconsultants.org

September 12:  Smart Feeder User Defined Report setup.
September 19:  Check and invoice setup.
September 26:  Scanner Interface .

Q&A of the Month:  Auto-Posting Retained Earnings

Sarah Dixon, FBS Sales and Support Coordinator

Q.  At the FBS User Conference several users wanted FBS to add the ability to automatically move net income to retained earnings on the first day of the fiscal year. 

A.  Well, FBS has had that function for many, many years.   To roll net income into retained earnings log into the calendar year in which you want to post retained earnings and go to Input>General>Accounting>Calculate Retained Earnings.

Next, select your retained earnings ledger account and the first day of the fiscal year and press the Calculate button.  That's all you have to do!