Integrated farm management is sometimes called the “whole farm” approach to farming. Encompassing not just the business aspects of farm management, integrated farm management recognizes the social and environmental aspects of management and promotes the long term resilience of the farming landscape.
Integrated Farm Management & Agricultural Economics
Integrated farm management strategies are beneficial to both large and small farms, and can vary widely depending on the individual operation. The goal is always the same though: to establish effective business practices, improve production, and increase longterm stability and profitability. Farm management is directly tied to farm economics, and tracking expenses is integral to increasing profitability. A huge range of factors and data points make up a true integrated farm management strategy, but we’ll go over some of the biggest ones here:
Labor and Productivity Management
Identify trends in productivity and maximize your team’s potential
Equipment Costs and Maintenance
Track equipment run costs and equipment maintenance
Spray Records and Chemical Costs
Manage your pesticide applications and chemical costs
Inventory Tracking
Track harvested inventory, packing materials, and identify costs and returns
Soil Sampling & Nutrient Management
Healthy produce starts with healthy soil, track soil health and nutrient application
Yield Tracking
Identify patterns in yield and use data to maximize your harvest
Crop protection & Pest Management
Identify pests and diseases, reduce risk and manage resistance
Sustainability
Minimize environmental impact and develop long term strategies
Crop Rotation
Plan rotation, implement annual and seasonal plans, manage long term soil health and meet short term market needs
Land Management
Make informed decisions about companion crops, erosion management, cover crops and land improvements
Irrigation and Water Use
Monitor water use, track irrigation permits and water source inspections
Data Management
Measure and manage all aspects of your operation, understand your data and records, and make the most of them
These aspects of managing costs, uncovering inefficiencies, sustainable business planning, and maximizing productivity and profit are just a few of the many facets of integrated farm management.
Don’t know how to get started? Croptracker is a farm management software system that is easy to use, scales with your business, and enhances traceability and record keeping for growers of all kinds.
Interested in learning more about Croptracker? Learn more about our Farm Management Software, or book a demonstration to schedule a meeting with our product experts.
And as always, if you're ever stuck, never hesitate to e-mail us at support@croptracker.com or Live Chat with us by clicking the green speech bubble 
in your bottom right-hand corner. We're always happy to help, so Croptracker can make your farm more efficient, safer, and more profitable!
