Instructions for Using the
Baled Roundup Ready Soybeans: A Decision Aid
Introduction
This interactive decision aid is designed to account for several of the economic factors that contribute to the decision to use Roundup Ready soybeans. The software is in a partial budgeting format that compares the advantages (increased revenues and/or decreased costs) to the disadvantages (increased costs and/or decreased revenues) of making a switch to Roundup Ready seed.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the assistance of Wayne Mattingly, Extension Agent for Agriculture in Daviess County, KY; J.D. Green, Extension Specialist in Lexington, KY; and Jim Martin, Extension Specialist in Princeton, KY for their technical expertise and support of this decision tool.
Installing the Software
Click on Roundup Ready Soybeans, a self-extracting zipped file with a setup routine. With most browsers, you will get a choice of saving it to your hard drive or opening it. Save it to your hard drive. Go to the folder/directory in which you saved the file and double-click on RRBeans.exe. It will copy its files to your Windows/Temp directory, and then start the Setup routine. Follow the Setup Routine instructions.
Note to Windows 2000 Users:
When installing baled budgets, you may get a message saying there is no disk in the drive. If you cancel this message (it may appear twice) the program should continue to install.
To Create a Shortcut
After installing the Budgets, you will see a Program Group with the Budget icon. DO NOT drag the icon out of the program group to create the icon. Right click on the icon that appears in the program group then click `Copy'. Close the Program Group. Now, right click in the middle of the screen and click `Paste'. This will copy and paste the icon onto the Windows desktop.
Another way to create a shortcut is to click the right mouse button somewhere on the Windows desktop. Then click New, then click Shortcut. Double click the RRBeans file, then click RRBeans.EXE. Click next, and follow the directions.
How to use the Roundup Ready Decision Aid
The decision aid has three pages, Key Variables, Advantages, and Disadvantages, as indicated by tabs at the bottom of the screen.
All blue numbers in the program are user defined and should be changed to match the circumstances of the user. The values indicated in the blue cells at startup are default values and are included for demonstration purposes. Prices and quantities should be changed to reflect local conditions.
The software will accommodate one or two Roundup applications and the application of any other supplemental herbicides. The application cost will be included for each separate herbicide application. Seed costs and seeding rates for conventional and Roundup Ready beans should be included at the appropriate costs and rates.
Considerable discussion has taken place over the yield variability between conventional and Roundup Ready varieties. The decision tool will allow users to evaluate the effect of any yield changes. If you think Roundup Ready beans yield less than conventional, enter a negative number that corresponds to the yield decline in the line labeled "Yield Change." If you think Roundup Ready beans yield more than conventional, then enter a positive number.
Complete the Key Variables worksheet by including the price of beans and the cost of the conventional weed control program that would be replaced by the Roundup Ready herbicide program.
The only other user defined variable is on the Advantages page. If the Roundup Ready program allows for less tillage or cultivation, enter the per acre cost savings in the blue cell on the Advantages page.
Interpreting the Results
A partial budget compares advantages and disadvantages of a change to determine whether the change will increase net returns. The Net Returns Change at the bottom of the Key Variables page is the difference between the Advantages and Disadvantages. If the Net Returns Change is positive, then the move to Roundup Ready seed will increase profitability. If the change is negative, profitability will decrease.
This decision aid accounts for the factors that can be measured in dollars. Timeliness, production and marketing risk, simplicity, convenience, and the "clean-field syndrome" are more difficult to quantify. These factors may influence the decision as well.
To Save a Budget
Click on "File" in the menu bar, then "Save as..." give the file a name and click "OK". If you want to save the file you are working in, save it before attempting to exit the program. The baler software will not ask you if you want to save the current file as do most other software packages!
To Print a Budget
DOUBLE CLICK on the blue button at the top of the Key Variables page that says "Print Budget". If you have a problem printing, click on "File_Printer setup..." and check the printer settings and paper size options and click OK.
Very Important
When you exit the program, you will be asked if you want to save changes in RRBEANS.BWB. ALWAYS SAY NO. This *.bwb file is your default file. If you click on yes, you will lose the original budget values.
For More Information
For additional information about this interactive decision tool, please contact Steve Isaacs.