United States Department of Agriculture
Economic Tools
These NRCS Economic Tools are organized by landuse and type of conservation planning analysis.NRCS State Economists or Center Economists if you have questions on their usage.
NRCS Economic / Watershed Technical Notes, in Chronological Order, 1939 to 2018 Part 610 NRCS National Resource Economics Handbook H_200_NREH_610 . Discount Factors spreadsheets Examples Spreadsheets Financial Functions Spreadsheets Statistical Formulas and Charts Spreadsheets Part 611 NRCS National Water Resources Handbook for Economics (PDF; 855 KB)Part 612 NRCS National Resource Economics Handbook, Water Quality (PDF, 4MB)Part 613 NRCS National Resource Economics Handbook, Developing Cost Data for Conservation Planning (PDF, 261 KB)Economics Technical Note 200-ECN-4 Developing Conservation Case Studies for Decision-making Principles and Guidelines for Water Resource Projects, 1983 (PDF, 852 KB) Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water Resources, Chapters I - Principles and Chapter II - Requirements, March 2013 Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water Resources, Chapter III - Interagency Guidelines for December, 2014 USDA Guidance for Conducting Analyses Under the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies and Federal Water Resource Investments, January, 2017 Economics Technical Note 200-ECN-1, Basic Economic Analysis Using T-Charts Economics Technical Note 200-ECN-2, Guidelines for Economic Impact Analysis with IMPLAN Economics Technical Note 200-ECN-3 Guiding Principles in Calculating Foregone Income for Conservation Planning Economics Technical Note 200-ECN-4 Developing Conservation Case Studies for Decision-making
General Conservation Planning Contact
NRCS FY2017 State Payment Schedules and Conservation Practice Scenarios Sheila Scott, FAPD
Conservation Plan Review Checklist Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Conservation Effects for Decisionmakers (CED) Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Conservation Practice Benefit-Cost Templates Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Cost Effectiveness in Conservation Programs, ROI for Practices and Systems Lynn Knight , ENTSC
FOTG Conservation Practice Physical Effects (CPPE) Hal Gordon , WNTSC
EPIC , Environmental Policy Integrated Climate Model Blackland Research Center
Financial Feasibility and Scheduling Conservation Practice Installation June Grabemeyer, MN
IMPLAN Regional Input/Output Modeling with 30 NRCS examples
NRCS Photo Gallery NRCS
Prioritization Worksheet , (XLS, 44KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
RMS Planning Tool National (Current) Hal Gordon , WNTSC
RMS Planning Tool Arkansas Charles "Zach" Taylor , AR
Watershed Protection Contact
Flood Damage Assessment Tools NRCS
Emergency Watershed Program, Example (XLS, 77.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Decision Support for Homeowners and Fire Ecosystems (XLS, 210 KB)Madalene Ransom , ENTSC
Project Planning Chart and POW , (XLS, 26KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Search for the Elusive 35%; A Sponsor Dilemma (DOC, 83KB)Search for the Elusive 35%; A Sponsor Dilemma (PPT, 5MB)James Featherston
General Economic Planning Contact
Average Annual Varying Costs or Benefits (XLS, 18.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Cost Estimating Program for the CSP program (XLS, 182 KB)Bill Hughes, Alabama
Economic Technical Note No. 200-ECN-1, Basic Economic Analysis Using T-Charts Hal Gordon , WNTSC
FOTG Conservation Practice Economic Effects (XLS, 125 KB)Douglas C Vik , SD
Conservation Practice Cost Estimator (XLS, 240 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Dollars and Sense in Conservation Flo Swartz
Economic Training Recommendations for Conservation Planners (DOC, 26.5 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Economic Proficiency Model for Conservation Planners (DOC, 61.5 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
One day Introduction to Economics Of Conservation Training Course from Maine. ME Intro to Econ I Introduction (PPT, 1.22 MB). ME Intro to Econ II Analysis Types (PPT, 531 KB). ME Intro to Econ III NRCS tools (PPT, 2.71 MB)
John Long, Maine
Oregon Operation and Maintenance Cost Factors (XLS, 30.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Tools to Evaluate Economics (2009) , (PPT, 2.2MB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Financial Functions, Investments, and Retirement Contact
Time and Money Training Sites and Tools
Amortization Card Annual and Amortization Card Monthly Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Average Annual Varying Costs or Benefits (XLS, 18.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Break Even Analysis (XLS, 145KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Interpolation Between Known Points (XLS, 19.5 KB) Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Interest and Annuity Spreadsheet (XLS, 89.5 KB)David Faulkner , VA
Interest and Annuity Spreadsheet (XLS, 42.5 KB)Douglas C Vik , SD
Interest and AnnuityTable 2 (XLS, 71.5 KB)Douglas C Vik , SD
Most Commonly Used Time Value Equations (XLS, 41.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
NRCS Interest and AnnunityTables (XLS, 32.5 KB)NRCS
Oregon Operation and Maintenance Cost Factors (XLS, 30.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Present Values - Benefits and Costs (XLS, 37KB) Denis Feichtinger , ID
TSP Retirement Income, Time Value of Money (XLS, 35.5 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Amortization Table with Interest and Principle (XLS, 104 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Interest and Annuity Spreadsheets and Programs (XLS, 135 KB)NRCS
Crop/Hay Contact
Adding Livestock to an Operation Bryon Kirwan, IL
Conservation Buffers - Economic and Financial Feasibility June Grabemeyer, MN
Cover Crop Economics Tool Lauren Cartwright , MOBryon Kirwan , IL
Economics of Cover Crops - Decision Tool ISU
Cropping Systems Calculator Land Stewardship Project, MN
Cover Crops: Why grow a crop you do not sell? WebinarCase Study - Transition to Cover Crop for a Beginning Farmer The Corn Story the First Year Lynn Knight , ENTSC
Cover Crop Cost-Return Budget; An Excel spreadsheet to analyze theKSU
Conservation Pays: Minimal Till Sugar Beets in Northeast Montana, MT-11 Lakeitha Ruffin, MT
CREP Participation Worksheet , calculation of practices, costs and payment incomesDavid Faulkner , VA
CRP Worksheet; calculation of practices, costs and payment incomes ,David Faulkner , VA
ECP Worksheet, calculation of practices, costs and payment incomes David Faulkner , VA
Soil Carbon Sequestration Opportunities for Montana Producers, MT-10 (PDF, 51KB)Lakeitha Ruffin, MT
Applying Biosolids: Issues for Virginia Agriculture (PDF, 60.4 KB) David Faulkner , VA
CP33 Buffer Economics (PDF, 16KB)CP33 Economic Decision Support Tool - Soybeans (XLS, 600KB)CP33 Economic Decision Support Tool - Corn (XLS, 600KB)Philip Barbour
Estimating Economic Impact of Conservation Field Borders on Farm Revenue Philip Barbour
Crop Rotation Analysis (XLSX, 55.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Direct Seeding/No-Till Cost Estimates (XLS, 202 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
FarmDoc, Farm Management Tools University of Illinois
Energy Estimator: Nitrogen Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Energy Estimator: Tillage Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Crops and Farm Machinery Decision Tools
Farm Machinery Cost Estimates , (XLS, 134KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Economic Damage Estimate from Gully Formation (XLS, 31.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Fertilizer Blend Calculator (XLS, 46.5 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Fertilizer Cost Blending Tool using LP Gregg Ibendahl, KSU
Fuel Use Per Acre, Simple Estimator (XLS, 33KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Economics of Gully Erosion and Stabilization ( or Detailed Version Lynn Knight , ENTSC
Economics of Grass Seed Fertilization (XLS, 32 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Hay Production vs Buying Hay (XLS, 1MB) Bryon Kirwan , IL
Irrigation Energy Cost Estimator Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Energy Conservation on Irrigated Land in Eastern Montana,MT-9 , (PDF, 44KB)Rena Ruffin
Pollinator Species Site Specific Cost Estimator Jessica Bertine , FL
Seasonal High Tunnel Cost Estimator and Economic Technical Documentation Jessica Bertine , FL
TN.190.NM.6 : Nutrient Efficiency and Management - 6 (PDF, 122KB)Norm Widman
Value of Crop Residue (XLS, 61kb)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Windbreak Economics (PPT, 1.4MB)June Grabemeyer, MN
Irrigation Contact
Energy Conservation on Irrigated Land in Eastern Montana, Econ TN MT-9 Rena Ruffin
Value of an additional cfs of water for Hydro Power Generation , (XLS, 18KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Irrigation System - Cost Analysis (XLS, 69.5 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Costs for Big Gun Irrigation System (XLS, 11.4 KB)Rena Ruffin, MT
Costs for Center Pivot Irrigation System (XLS, 12.3 KB)Rena Ruffin, MT
Costs for Drip Irrigation System (XLS, 12.7 KB)Rena Ruffin, MT
Costs for Gated Pipe Irrigation System (XLS, 12.5 KB)Rena Ruffin, MT
FL Diesel and Electric Power for Irrigation Cost Analysis (485 KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
Irrigation Energy Cost Estimator Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Cost Estimate of Pipeline Projects (XLS, 95.0 KB) Greg Card, OR
Estimating the Cost of Irrigation Water (XLS, 14.5 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Costs for Wheel Line (Diesel) Irrigation System (XLS, 12.6 KB)Rena Ruffin
Costs for Wheel Line (Electric) Irrigation System (XLS, 12.6 KB)Rena Ruffin
Irrigation Pipe Cost Estimator (XLS, 140 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Irrigation Pays in Protecting Vegetable Crop Revenues in the NE US.
Lynn Knight ">, ENTSC
Energy Contact
Animal Housing Energy Estimator Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
FL Diesel and Electric Power for Irrigation Cost Analysis (485 KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
FL Farm Energy Audit and FL 122 Farm Energy Log Jessica Bertine , FL
Energy Estimator: Irrigation Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Energy Estimator: Nitrogen Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Energy Estimator: Tillage Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Hydro Power Value (XLS, 19.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
ManureNet, A Canadian Website for Bioenergy and Manure Management Information Leah Duzy , Auburn
Tools To Calculate Digester Economics
Bill Lazarus , MN
Bioenergy Crop Production Costs for Switchgrass , (XLS, 46KB)Flo Swartz, NY
Bioenergy Crop Production Costs for Willows , (XLS, 45KB)Flo Swartz, NY
Biomass for Bioenergy, Biofuels and Bioproducts Flo Swartz
Solar and Electric Cost Tool for Livestock Watering (XLS, 362 KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
TN.210. Biomass Energy Technical Note No. 1 AN ANALYSIS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION COSTS Kelsi S. Bracmort
Economics TN MT-9, Energy Conservation on Irrigated Land in Eastern Montana , (PDF, 42KB)Rena Ruffin
Value of an additional cfs of water for Hydro Power Generation , (XLS, 18KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
PROFITABLE GRAZING-BASED DAIRY SYSTEMS , (PDF, 900kKB)Kevin Ogles
Forest Contact
Bioenergy Crop Production Costs for Willows , (XLS, 45KB)Flo Swartz, NY
Biomass for Bioenergy, Biofuels and Bioproducts Flo Swartz
EconSurvivalHandPlantedBuffers.pdf (PDF, 2.75 MB)Economics and Survival of Hand Planted Riparian Forest Buffers,(PDF, 2.75 MB) John Long, Maine
The Economics of Culvert Replacement: Fish Passage in Eastern Maine (PDF, 70KB)John Long, Maine
Economics of Gully Erosion and Stabilization ( Publication or Detailed Version )
Lynn Knight , ENTSC
The Economics of Timber Stand Management (XLSM, 45KB)Lauren Cartwright , MO
Economics of Converting Existing Forestland to Pasture (XLSM, 45KB)Lauren Cartwright , MO
Economics of Windbreaks Leah Duzy, ARS
Forest and Windbreak Economic Tools NRCS
Forestry Economic Analysis (XLS, 305 KB)James Featherston , TX
Forestry Planning and Cost Estimate (XLS, 172 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
I-Tree Software Suite, urban and community forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools Lynn Knight , ENTSC
Rotation Budget for Hybrid Popular for Pulp Fiber (XLS, 22.5 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Nevada Bureau Revegtation Cost Model (PDF, 117 KB)Larry Edmonds
NRCS Texas Forestry Economics Budgets for clearing, thinning, and replanting (XLS,100KB)James Featherston
Soil Carbon Sequestration Opportunities for Montana Producers (PDF, 51KB)Rena Ruffin
Timberland Decision Support System Mark Xu, NHQ
USDA Forest Service Ecosystem Services Website USDA Forest Service
Windbreak Economics (PPT, 1.4MB)June Grabemeyer, MN
Headquarters, Feedlots, and Animal Waste Contact
Biomass Energy TN1 An Analysis of Energy Production Costs Kelsi S. Bracmort
Animal Waste Nutrient Value Analysis (XLS, 46.0 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Animal Waste Nutrient Analysis (Pigs) (XLS, 18.0 KB)Larry Edmonds , WA
Tools To Calculate Digester Economics . Anaerobic Digester Economics Spreadsheet Bill Lazarus , MN
ManureNet, A Canadian Website Dedicated to Manure Management Leah Duzy , MN
Animal Housing Energy Estimator Kenneth (Kip) Pheil
Animal Waste Economic Analysis, Alabama (XLS, 78.5 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Animal Waste Economics, Oregon, Costs (XLS, 140 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
University of Nevada Cattle Software Tools Calfback - compare the economics of back-grounding calves in feedlot or pasture. CowCost - evaluate how much you can afford to spend buying a cow. Feedlot - compare the economics of placing calves into the feedlot. Grassfat - compare the economics for pasturing yearlings. Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Cow Calf Budget Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Dairy Cow Budget (XLS, 147 KB)Larry Edmonds , WA
Dairy Cost Analysis (XLS, 44.5 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Dairy Cow Cost Analysis (XLS, 15.6 KB)Larry Edmonds WA
Dairy Farmer Profitability Using Intensive Rotational Stocking, (PDF, 280KB)
Dairy Dragline, Dairy Waste Management Analysis (XLS, 743 KB)Larry Edmonds , WA
Dairy Heifer Cost Analysis (XLS, 20.5 KB)Larry Edmonds , WA
Economic Value of Manure (XLS, 26.5 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Feeding Site Assessment Tool Amanda Schaller, NC
FLORIDA Dairy / Beef, Livestock Shade Structures - Costs and Benefits (DOC, 174KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
Livestock Feed Cost Analysis (XLS, 74.0 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
North Carolina Feeding Site Assessment Tool Amanda Schaller, NC
Poultry Litter Manure Transfer Incentives Larry Poindexter, OK
Renting Buildings-How to Calculate Options Bryon Kirwan, IL
TN.190.RP.1 Profitable Grazing-Based Dairy Systems , (PDF, 890 KB)James B. Cropper
Winter Feeding Nutrient Loading Tool Amanda Schaller, NC
Range and Pastureland Contact
Adding Livestock to an Operation Bryon Kirwan, IL
Break-Even Forage Yield and AUM Value (XLS, 33.0 KB)Hal Gordon, WNTSC
Buy and Sell Steers Economic Analysis (XLS, 28.0 KB)Hal Gordon, WNTSC
Cost Estimate of Wire or Electric Fence (XLS, 36.0 KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Cow Calf Budget, Alabama (XLS, 63.5 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Cow Calf Budget, Oregon Hal Gordon , WNTSC
Cow Calf Ranch Budget, Texas (XLS, 295 KB)James Featherston , TX
Dairy Farmer Profitability Using Intensive Rotational Stocking, (PDF, 280KB)
The Economics of Grazing (PPT, 646KB)Leah Duzy , ARS
Economics of Windbreaks Leah Duzy, ARS
The Economics of Replacing Endophyte Infected Fescue Lauren Cartwright , MO
Extending grazing and reducing stored feed needs Michelle Beasley, TN
Feeding Site Assessment Tool Amanda Schaller, NC
Fence Design and Cost Calculator (XLS, 67.0 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
FLORIDA Dairy / Beef, Livestock Shade Structures - Costs and Benefits , (DOC, 174KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
Grazing Economics Analysis ,(XLS, 225KB)Hal Gordon , WNTSC
The Economics of Improved Grazing Management (XLS, 2MB)Economics of Converting Existing Forestland to Pasture The Economics of Renovating Pasture for Cow Calf and Beef Stocker Operations , (DOC, 590KB)Lauren Cartwright , MO
Pasture Reseeding or Fertilization Cost Analysis (XLS, 9 MB)Jessica Bertine , FL
Pasture Fertilization, Max Profit (XLS, 68.5 KB)Hal Gordon, WNTSC
Pasture Planting Cost Estimate (XLS, 60.5 KB)David Faulkner , VA
Ranch Budget Spreadsheet (XLS, 30.0 KB)Jon Gustafson , CA
Range Planting Cost Estimate (XLS, 171 KB)NRCS
Seed Mix and Cost Calculator (XLS, 171 KB)NRCS
Stocker Ranch Budget (XLS, 74.0 KB)JamesFeatherston , TX
WasteCalendarCalculator (XLS, 134 KB)WasteCalendarCalculator(Example) (XLS, 135 KB)Bill Hughes , AL
Water Development Costs on Grazed Lands (XLS, 80 KB)Douglas C Vik , SD
Solar and Electric Cost Tool for Livestock Watering (XLS, 362 KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
FL-614 EIS Watering Facility Economics (XLS, 532 KB)Jessica Bertine , FL
Winter Feeding Nutrient Loading Tool Amanda Schaller, NC
University of Nevada Cattle Software Tools Calfback - compare the economics of back-grounding calves in a feedlot or on pasture. CowCost - evaluate how much you can afford to spend buying a cow. Feedlot - compare the economics of placing calves into the feedlot. Grassfat - compare the economics for pasturing yearlings. Hal Gordon , WNTSC
