The agricultural process is a complex one. Farming techniques are sacred rites that are passed down through the generations and perfected though the miracle of science. All this ends in a product that producers and consumers alike can agree is a spectacular feat of delicious genius.
Of course, the productive element of modern farming is made complicated by the unwieldy structure of market pricing and other elements of the sales cycle that come on the backend of any agricultural pursuit. An award-winning crop might surpass all competition by a country mile in terms of taste, but if its creator can’t effectively bring it to market, then it’s as good as compost. Here are some modern market solutions for farmers.
CPQ is a lifesaver for complex industries.
CPQ solves this problem for agriculturalists. A leading CPQ solution is the secret weapon in the arsenal of any commercial or family farm in the United States or beyond. CPQ stands for “Configure, Price, Quote,” and acts as a sales solution for your larger business needs. The thing that makes farming so difficult is the sales cycle that must repeat at the end of each growing season. No matter whether you’re producing corn, soybeans, or tobacco, the ability to set a price for your hard work and create a profit on the season’s growth is something that challenges even those with multi-generational and large-acre businesses in this industry.
CPQ allows for an unbiased look at the fair market value of your efforts and can help you set a price for any quantity or type of produce that you may be selling. In other industries—like manufacturing or industrial development—CPQ software is a crucial component of the pricing structure because the products that are designed and fabricated are often custom-built for the consumer’s needs.
The same is often true for the agricultural business. Proprietary seed, a unique care regimen, and the generational expertise of a family farm (making up 96% of farms in the U.S.) are all hard to put a price tag on, and when they all come together, it can make the sales pitch a difficult proposition for even the most skilled farmers.
With a CPQ solution, you can take the guesswork and haggling out of the final thrust toward profit. This is a welcome tool for both buyers and sellers because it gets the harvest out to market faster so that farmers can begin to plan for the next year’s crop while distributors quickly place fresh produce on shelves across the United States without delay.
Scientific advancements are reshaping the agricultural community.
In addition to the more technical approach to sales, farming itself has become a more competitive industry in recent years. Today’s grower must rely on the latest in technical solutions for the best results, like a corn calculator. As scientific tools make their way farther into the routines of farmers and other growers, crop yields are becoming more predictable, harvests more efficient, and fruit and vegetable outputs safer and more delicious for the consumer.
Perhaps this is why more and more people in the agricultural industry are relying on the highly technical education that comes from “A&M” institutions all across the United States. Agricultural and mechanical universities no longer promote just these specializations, but the opportunity to learn the chemical science of growing is something that most growers should take advantage of these days.
Estimates suggest that feeding the national and worldwide population is only going to get harder in the coming years, so understanding the science behind plant life and meshing it with real world experience gives farmers a unique leg up on the competition.
CPQ and other breakthroughs in industry are making waves in the agricultural space. Make sure you take advantage of the boosts they can give your farm.