How to Increase Farming Profitability

It is no secret that prices in every industry have risen over the last 2 years. According to the USDA, food purchased from stores was 7% higher in January 2022 than in January 2021. From raw goods to the finished products purchased on store shelves, saving money and watching the bottom line has become more important than ever.
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In the agriculture industry, it is evident that your scale equates to your cash register. How that cash register reads and runs has major implications for the profit you make. Take a look at this brief example:

The average bushel of corn weighs 56lbs and there are approximately 177 bushels per acre. Let’s say that your scale is weighing a seemingly mere 2lbs off and that it takes 58lbs of corn to read the correct bushel weight on your scale. Your bushels per acre shrinks from 177 to 171. This may not seem like a lot to the average person, but a farmer knows that those 6 bushels/acre equal approximately $40/acre. Given that the average farm size in America is 444 acres, according to a 2019 report from the USDA, the profit lost from each 2lb differentiation is approximately $17,760 per year.

As you can see, incorrect readings can have a large effect on the profit you receive from your weighed commodities. Digital loadcells are by far the most accurate, but even they need to be calibrated to ensure their accuracy and longevity. It can be easy to assume that you are getting the most out of your scale and that it is weighing accurately. However, there are several factors at play that can cause your scale to read incorrectly. Extensive and harsh use as well as the buildup of dirt and debris can impact the accuracy of your scale. Like changing the oil in your car after a certain number of miles, taking care of your scale with trained technicians prolongs the life and accuracy of your scale. 

Field Service Technicians at Brechbuhler Scales, Inc. take pride in our trade and ultimately your success. Each technician goes through an extensive training program and is backed by a network of expert support personnel. Consider setting a preventative maintenance schedule with your local branch. During the preventative maintenance appointment, our technicians check each component of the scale to ensure it is in working order. Knowing your scale is what we do best. Calibrations are performed in line with our ISO 17025 accreditation. We take pride in ensuring that you are getting the most out of your scale.

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