We go through about 6000 tons of feed per year to feed our birds. Those tons of feed translate into the 2nd largest constant expense on the farm. The importance of record keeping can’t be overstated. Feed reconciliation is kept on a spreadsheet where every feed delivery is recorded with the invoice price and the date payments are made. The spreadsheet information allows us to assess the data and find out all the information we need to know about feed in order to make wise decisions about our feed purchases.
Reconciliation Spreadsheet Information:
- Monthly feed usage
- Yearly feed usage
- Monthly feed cost
- Average feed cost for the month or year
- Informs us how much feed we should contract
- Informs us when to contract for feed
- Helps to determine cash flow we will have available after planning for feed costs
Feed Planning Process
- Internal feed orders are given to Chris Theisen
- Chris orders the feed from Kent Nutrition
- We pick up the feed with our own feed truck
- The invoice for feed is recorded on the reconciliation form and then submitted for payment
- Bill MacFarlane reviews the invoice and approves it for payment
- Once payment is made, the invoice is marked paid and then filed
- Lastly, the reconciliation form is updated
Record keeping is very important to the success of a business. If you would like to learn more about our process, feel free to contact [email protected].
Keep watching our blog for information about our feed truck and how we use it to keep our birds fed, healthy, and happy. We began using our own feed truck about a year ago and we are looking forward to telling you about it. In the meantime, why not download our guide to what it takes to successfully manage and run a game bird farm?
