Agriculture decision-making tools

General

• Alberta Climate Information Service
  The AgroClimatic Information Service (ACIS) provides access to meteorological data and maps derived from more than 330 stations.
• Rural Water Quality Information Tool
  This online tool assesses the quality and suitability of raw water sources for livestock, irrigation or mix water for chemical spraying.

Seeding

• Alberta Soil Information Viewer
  Use this map-based decision-support tool to access selected soil data in Alberta’s agricultural region.

Cost of production

• Crop Budget Calculator
  Crop producers can use this software to predict revenues and margins for Alberta enterprises.
• Crop Returns Calculator
  This calculator helps managers to evaluate crop enterprise profitability by calculating production costs, breakeven selling prices, gross margins and returns to equity.
• CropChoices software
  Crop producers can use this software to predict revenues and margins for their enterprise, as well as the chance of achieving those levels.
• Cropping Alternatives
  Regional cost and returns forecast reports based on current Alberta cost of crop and forage production information.
• Match Forage Supplies to Livestock needs calculator
  Beef producers can use this software to estimate forage shortfalls or surpluses for different winter cattle feeding scenarios.

Nutrient management

• Alberta Farm Fertilizer Information and Recommendation Manager (AFFIRM) 3.0 Software
  This software helps crop producers make fertilizer nutrient decisions based on soil test results, crops to be grown, soil moisture conditions, agro-climatic regions and economic factors of crop prices and fertilizer nutrient costs.
• Alberta Phosphorous Management Tool
  This risk assessment tool helps producers make livestock and nutrient management decisions to minimize phosphorus losses.
• Ammonia Emissions Estimator
  This calculator allows producers to perform a quick ammonia losses calculation. Accurate ammonia loss estimates from manure are needed to improve nutrient management recommendations and test the value of ammonia abatement techniques.
• Ammonia Losses from Liquid Manure Applications Calculator
  This calculator estimates ammonia emissions due to liquid manure application to farm land. It also estimates the economic value of the ammonia volatilization loss based on fertilizer nitrogen cost.
• Manure Composting Calculator
  This calculator determines the amount of carbon source material and water needed to create a good compost mix. The calculator is primarily intended for manure composting, however, it can be used for other materials as well.
• Manure Management Planner
  This software program helps land managers determine where, when and how much manure should be used.
• Manure Transportation Calculator
  Use this software to evaluate the costs and benefits of manure application based on nutrient need and cost of transportation.
• Nutrient Loading Calculator
  This software program helps land managers plan detailed feed and cow management strategies.

General

• Alberta Average Farm Input Prices
  Monthly survey of prices of farm inputs including survey results in image and table formats over a 5-year period.
• Ammonia Emissions Estimator
  This calculator provides an approximation of ammonia emission based upon currently available information.
• Ammonia Losses from Liquid Manure Applications Calculator
  This calculator estimates ammonia emissions due to liquid manure application, and estimates the economic value of ammonia loss based on fertilizer nitrogen cost.
• Average Daily and Annual Water Requirements
  Average daily and annual water requirement numbers that can be used for estimating the amount of water used on a farm.
• Change in AOPA Livestock Type Calculator (NEW)
  Confined feeding operations can use this online tool when considering a change in livestock type within a category.
• Rural Water Quality Information Tool
  Assess the quality and suitability of raw water sources for livestock, irrigation or mix water for chemical spraying.

Beef​

• BeefAIChoice Computer Software
  This program helps producers compare artificial insemination (AI) options against using natural service bulls for cow-calf operations.
• Feedlot Investment Risk Simulation Tool
  The Feedlot Investment Risk Simulation Tool (FIR$T) helps feedlot operators and potential investors analyze the risks and returns associated with cattle feeding.
• Match Forage Supplies to Livestock needs calculator
  Beef producers can use this software to estimate forage shortfalls or surpluses for different winter cattle feeding scenarios.
• Swath Grazing Calculator
  The Swath Grazing Calculator compares costs between conventional wintering feeding systems and swath grazing.

Land

• Alberta Climate Information Service
  The AgroClimatic Information Service (ACIS) provides access to Meteorological data and maps derived from more than 330 stations.
• Alberta Soil Information Viewer
  Use this map-based decision-support tool to access selected soil data in Alberta’s agricultural region.

Volume

• Catch Basin Dimension Calculator
  This calculator may be used to design a catch basin based on catchment area and potential surface water runoff.
• Dugout Volume or Manure Storage Calculator
  Calculate the volume of a dugout and the volume of water it contains, or design an earthen manure storage based on livestock liquid manure production.

• Alberta Average Farm Input Prices
  Monthly survey of prices of farm inputs including survey results in image and table formats over a 5-year period.
• CowProfit$
  This tool is a starting point for producers to develop and use their own basic cost and returns profiles with the main emphasis on cow herd.
• Crop Budget Calculator
  Crop producers can use this software to predict revenues and margins for Alberta enterprises.
• Crop Returns enterprise analysis tool
  This Excel template helps producers evaluate crop enterprise profitability by calculating production costs.
• CropChoice$ decision-making tool
  Crop producers can use this software to predict revenues and margins for Albera enterprises.
• Farming the Web
  An online marketplace for the forage and agriculture community operated by the Alberta Forage Industry Network.
• FIR$T Computer Software
  The Feedlot Investment Risk Simulation Tool (FIR$T) helps feedlot operators and potential investors analyze the risks and returns associated with cattle feeding.

• Growth and Yield Projection System (GYPSY)
  This system is used to forecast the growth and yield of stands of trees on a per hectare basis.
• Micro Logscale System
  This program helps mills calculate log volumes using Smalian in an approved format, which is then submitted to the Timber Production and Revenue System (TPRS).
• Permanent Sample Plots
  This database search tool provides land standing listings, including contact information, maps and descriptions, for clients applying to utilize Crown land.