Soy Transportation Coalition rolls out expanded online calculator and app
With tighter budgets, farmers are looking at how to cut costs. One way of minimizing expenses that you may not have considered is by delivering your soybeans in the most cost-efficient way possible.
Transportation costs play a role in the net profit for your crop each year, so the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) recently unveiled an updated online calculator that determines the expected revenue and costs for local and distant delivery options. The online calculator is also now available as an app for both iPhone and Android devices, enabling farmers to access and utilize the calculator remotely.
The checkoff-funded calculator is designed to work for soybeans, corn, wheat, or any other agricultural commodity. At no cost, and in just a few short steps, a farmer can determine the most profitable delivery option.
Using the online calculator or app is simple: .
- Input the bushel capacity of the delivery vehicle, along with the costs of fuel, labor and maintenance.
- Enter the spot prices at a local and distant delivery location and the mileage and time required for each.
- The calculator will then determine the more efficient option.
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“When deciding where to sell soybeans or grain, farmers cannot simply focus on the price being offered; they also need to consider the costs associated with the actual delivery,” said Scott Gauslow, soybean farmer from Colfax, North Dakota and STC chair. “Sometimes the benefits from the higher price can be outweighed by the additional costs. Maximizing revenue should not be our goal. Maximizing profit should be.”
The revised online calculator can be accessed here.