Consulting

Thank you for visiting our site! My name is Chris Barron, and I started Ag View Solutions as I began to realize there were many other farms just like ours struggling with decisions, resources, and support in major operational decisions. I use my experience on our operation, tools that I developed for data-driven decision making, and lessons learned from working with hundreds of operations to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities your farm may be facing. Our team has learned a lot over the last 20 years, and perhaps most importantly we are still learning as we operate our own farms and navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s agricultural climate. If you have any questions at all, or want to know more about how we can help your operation, please give me a call at (319)533-5703. We often hear “I’m in a bit of a unique situation” or “We have a huge challenge/opportunity facing us that I’m not sure we can handle”; we’re here to tell you that while those may be true, we work specifically with these types of situations, as well as more routine or normal scenarios, to provide the most value and get your operation moving towards it’s goals.

In 1996, Chris Barron began working with producers utilizing the Profit Manager tool that he created. Initially he worked through the basic process of cost of production analysis. Over time this consulting expanded into a more detailed understanding of clients and their operation. Many of the services and techniques were developed or learned through the opportunities of working with some of the best producers throughout the United States and Canada. We have developed the following list of consulting and speaking services:

• Developing the basic understanding of cost of production analysis
• Margin management by crop
• Machinery and equipment cost analysis
• Machinery and equipment utilization and efficiency
• Input purchasing with value as the primary driver in the decision
• Producer networking opportunities
• Producer transition planning and business structure
• Equipment, trucking and other business entity structures
• Speaking events for Ag businesses, lending institutions, and multiple types of business conferences
• Business communication structure development


Why we consult
1. To help producers understand their cost of production
2. To help drive decision making and do scenario planning
3. To hone in on machinery and equipment costs/utilization
4. To open up better communication between the lender and the producer
5. To help operations network through partnering or transitions in family
6. To explore business structure within the operation and assist in changes needed
7. To be a person that is available by phone or email at all times when the producer has questions
8. To help the producer see the strengths in their operation and to help them improve or eliminate their weaknesses
9. To network with producers across the country, building relationships both professionally and personally

Our services:

Profit Manager
For over 20 years, Chris Barron has been providing margin management tools for crop producers across the United States giving them a better understanding of where they sit in the industry for their cost of production. The tools also bring an in-depth analysis of input costs to help with decision making on a day-to-day basis.

Peer Groups
Being a member of one of our peer groups includes 2 meetings per year visiting operations of members in the group. These 2-3 day meetings include time spent on the host operation’s farm doing a financial analysis, learning the history and goals of the operation, and interviews with key people involved in the day to day operations. Our typical peer group size is 6-8 operations, and the diversity of the operations from across the country create a tremendous learning opportunity.

Collaboration
Chris Barron has been facilitating and effectively implementing a large-scale collaboration model that many have said is ‘ahead of it’s time’. He is well-versed in the benefits and nuances of collaborating in the ag industry, and how to overcome the challenges for successful farm and enterprise collaboration.

Consulting
For operations and enterprises that need assistance with financial statement generators, merging operations into one entity, bridging the generational gap or want more information about how to be more profitable in your operation; Ag View Solutions offers assistance and solutions for many of the challenges and opportunities producers face.

Speaking
What tools and guidance does your operation or business need to help it be profitable and successful? Chris Barron speaks on a vast array of subjects tailored specifically to your business’s needs. Profit Management, multi-generational business models, collaboration, financial analysis are all topics where Chris has vast experience, and would love to speak with your group.