Livestock Trading Report is a big plus

Wairarapa dry stock farmer Graeme Evans switched to Farm Focus early on and says he is enjoying the improved capabilities the application delivers.

He says he recently dropped his last set of accounts in at the accountants because he has now given his accountants online access to his business accounts.

“If they need additional information this can be accessed online which removes the hassle of having to trot into town.  Works for them too because they’re not waiting around for me to deliver the piece of paper they need."

Graeme and wife Judy originally ran a cattle stud on their 68h effective property in Upper Plain, on the southwestern outskirts of Masterton. In May last year they sold the stud and switched to trading dry stock and Graeme says this is where Farm Focus has been a great help.

“The Livestock Trading Report is a new add-on that’s been particularly helpful in my situation. I trade dry stock (lambs and cattle) and need to keep a close eye on stock arriving and leaving the property. I need to know what I’m holding day to day and the report delivers this information in an easy-to-understand format.”

Graeme says he gets online and inputs information most days – “well definitely every couple of days" - rather than waiting until month end.

"With Farm Focus it’s easy to dip in and out and, by doing a bit of work regularly, I’m not confronted with a pile of information that has to be dealt with immediately."

He says coding has also changed for the better. “Now I can use my own codes to code everything out, so I know exactly where money is being spent and can easily see if a project is cost effective right down to the last bolt. Having control over your own codes allows for a greater depth of detail. One example is I now have the figures needed to support my decision to grow our own fodder crop rather than buy in which gives confidence you’re on the right track.”

Graeme says invoice scanning is another bonus. “I trade stock so issue invoices regularly and having this information securely recorded in the system where I can see it is a time saver.

“Overall, I’m happy with the switch – Focus does what I need and if the system stays simple and easy to use, I’ll be a happy chap!"

And ... Graeme says he and Judy are the last of the farming families living on one of the original blocks allocated by ballot as part of the Masterton Small Farm Settlements in Upper Plain Road. He says one hundred 40-acre bush clad blocks were made available as part of the 1850s land settlement programme. With the other ninety-nine blocks since sold Graeme and Judy remain the latest of four generations on the family’s original block in Upper Plain Road.