Have you ever been told you must keep a detailed set of records for the ranch to be successful as a manager? And have you ever considered you might be wasting a great deal of time? Hopefully that’s not the case, but it is certainly possible to be 100% efficient but 0% effective.

With a new year ahead, many producers will take time to reflect on what worked for them last year and what needs to change in 2022. The new year serves as a natural ending of one chapter and the beginning of a new chapter.

Recordkeeping for cow-calf producers is an essential part of running a successful operation, regardless of size or business goals. While almost all producers keep an animal inventory to track purchases and sales, many also choose to maintain production records to facilitate better decision-making.

Suggesting that everyone could benefit from using a particular accounting technique is risky. It would have to simplify a job that “everyone” needs to do and save “everyone” a lot of time.