| | Latest version of decision-making software integrates new features of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) crop insurance.
Starting in 2008, AFSC’s crop insurance programs will no longer be based on assessments for 22 ‘risk areas’. Instead, producers will be able to make decisions based on which of Alberta’s 3,600 townships they farm in.
According to Ron Hockridge, Leduc-based Financial Business Analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Food, this is welcome news for producers.
“AFSC is going down to a much finer level of data,” he says. “Township-based data will have greater relevance to the information needs of individual producers.”
When Alberta Agriculture and Food releases the newest version of its CropChoice$ software this winter, the program will include 2007 crop insurance data from AFSC, down to the township level. Producers can use this new feature to assess their 2008 cropping options, either with or without crop insurance.
Just enter your land description
Hockridge estimates that more than 600 producers have downloaded previous versions of CropChoice$. Based on information entered by the producer, along with historical information contained in the program, CropChoice$ forecasts margins for each crop and the producer’s probability of achieving them. This free Windows-based program helps farmers compare different scenarios in planning, which crops to grow and how much of each.
For producers who’ve used CropChoice$ in the past, the 2008 version will allow previous years’ information to be transferred in. For producers who haven’t yet tried CropChoice$, Hockridge believes there’s never been a better time.
“There is a wealth of information available for producers, and it’s easy to use,” he says. “Once you enter the land description for your farm, you’ll be able to enter up to 32 fields of data, and 2007 crop insurance information from your township will automatically be part of your calculations.”
To download your copy of CropChoice$, visit www.agriculture.alberta.ca/cropchoices.
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