Getting started with Farmbench

Follow the steps below to get up and running with Farmbench

Register

To begin using Farmbench you’ll first need to register

To register you’ll need to enter basic information including your name, address and contact number. You’ll also need to create a password for your account.

Once your account has been created, you will receive an email confirming access to the tool. You’ll then be able to add your farm via the 'load farm' button on the home page.

Now you are ready to input your data.

Resources to help you get started

There are a number of resources which will help you get the most out of Farmbench, including a regional Farmbench manager who can help you get started or answer any questions you have, contact details can be found here.

View these short videos to assist with using the Farmbench tool

Inputting your data

Physical information

Examples include:

Number of cows/heifers bulled, number of calves born, calf weight and age at weaning, calving period
Number of ewes put to ram, scanning results, number of lambs reared, lamb sale weights
Areas and yields of combinable crops or sugar beet grown etc
Total milk production, pence per litre, calving numbers, deaths, pregnancy rates

Financial Information

Examples include:

Sales income
Seed, fertiliser, feed, vet costs
Machinery costs, e.g. repairs, contracting, fuel
Property costs, e.g. repairs, electricity

Reporting to aid business decisions

Farmbench allows you make an objective analysis of performance and explore the full impact on your bottom line.

The ultimate aim of Farmbench is to provide you with a better understanding of your own business and put you in control of your future. You will then be able to discuss and share best practice with others through Business Improvement Groups, before making evidence-based decisions to improve individual profitability and productivity. If you prefer you can use the reports generated by Farmbench to analyse your business against national, regional or market sector averages.

Read our most recent guide to Farmbench