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FarmSMART                  
December 2020
FBS 2020 Christmas

Dear Friend,

Who would have imagined the holiday standard "I'll Be Home for Christmas" could be reimagined so ironically in 2020?

First, we're very thankful for your business during this disruptive year.

Second, FBS and its employees are well equipped to work remotely and have accomplished a great deal in 2020...considering.

Third, we're all looking forward to returning to "normal" (live trade shows, office human interaction, and the FBS/MASA Ag Software Success Summit in August).

Last of all, we wish you and your families a blessed and joyful Christmas and New Year. 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." 
                                                                     Luke 2:10-11

In this month's newsletter:

  • FBS/MASA Upgrade Options.
  • 1099-NEC form.
  • 2021 Trade Show Updates. 
  • Pork Powerhouses.
  • 2020 Schedule F.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  SDG

FBS/MASA Upgrade Options

Here's a yearend reminder to FBS software users.   You have three options for maintaining your software license:
  • Wait and pay for your Version 11.6/11.7 upgrades in May at 2021 prices.
  • Lock in your Version 11.6/11.7 upgrades by December 31 at 2020 prices.
  • Become a MASA Member.

For more information on FBS/MASA software development we invite you to watch this video recorded at the 2020 Ag Software Success Summit or call us at 800.437.7638 or email sales@fbssystems.com.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.  We hope you are as excited about the future of your software as we are!


Free 1099-NEC Download
All FBS/MASA users running Version 11.4 or later will be able to download 2020 p
rinted/electronic 1099 forms, including the new 1099-NEC for non-employee compensation.  This update can be accessed through Utilities>Check for Updates and should be available mid-January.  (See related Q&A article on the Schedule F below.)


Trade Show

2021Trade Show Updates

Here's the latest update on farm trade shows in 2021.  Note that only one has been cancelled, some converted to virtual, and the rest rescheduled.  Stay tuned!

Show Date Location Booth
Iowa_Pork_Congress TRADE SHOW CANCELED Des Moines, IA  
Boot Camp 2020 June 22
(NEW DATE)
Coralville, IA  
Summit 2020

June 23-24

(NEW DATE)

Coralville, IA  
National Farm Machinery Logo

March 31-   April 1

(NEW DATE)

Louisville, KY 1009
Commodity Classic2016
First week in March
(NEW DATE)
Virtual Format  

FBS/MASA Users in the News

2020 Pork Powerhouses

Successful Farming Magazine just released their 2020 list of America's largest pork producers which includes 9 FBS/MASA users.

Ranking Company Number of Sows
8 Carthage System* 165,000
18 Eichelberger Farms* 62,500
19 Schwartz Farms 62,000
21 Wakefield Pork 54,800
30 tie Fine Swine 31,500
36 tie J.C. Howard Farms* 29,000
  Heimerl Farms* 21,000
  Dykhuis Farm* 17,000

* Indicates MASA member.

Q&A: 2020 Schedule F

Q. When I run my 2020 Schedule F I receive this message:

Schedule F message

and the line descriptions are all blank.

A  The IRS just published the final 2020 Schedule F so we've not updated the new electronic form yet.  It should be available to download in early January.  In the meantime you can still use the the 2019 definition, since the lines and totals are the same.  

Sarah 2019

Sarah Dixon, FBS Support Coordinator

Schedule Webinar