Focus Advantage Sign-up and training

Getting Started with Farm Focus: Focus Advantage Setup Guide

This guide is designed for Focus Advantage customers. It walks you through signing up for Farm Focus and building your first budget using the Working Plan, including tools like the Stock Reconciliation Grid and Dairy Forecaster (for dairy farms).

Step 1: Sign up for Farm Focus (with Advantage coupon)

Watch the video tutorial or follow these steps to get started:

1. Log into Farm Focus and click ‘Start new’.

2. Choose a subscription length: ‘1 Year’ or ‘1 Month’.

3. On the Set up Direct Debit screen, enter the coupon code:
   ADVANTAGE

4. Click ‘Apply’ to activate the code. Your plan summary will now show:
   $0.00 NZD. Make sure to click Apply after entering the code, or the discount won’t take effect.

Step 2: Get an overview of Farm Focus

Start by exploring the software and familiarising yourself with how it works. You’ll find helpful dashboards, smart tools, and intuitive layouts to guide you along the way.

Step 3: Build your first Working Plan

Your Working Plan is your primary budget and includes three powerful tools:

• Cashflow – Track your dollar values.

• Livestock Grid – Monitor your stock quantities (for all livestock farms).

• Dairy Forecaster – Forecast milk production for the season (for dairy farms only).

• If you want to plan for different scenarios, create multiple draft budgets and clearly label each one with a description. Promote your chosen plan to become your main Working Plan.

Step 4: Save a Baseline Budget

Once your Working Plan is finalised:

• Save a baseline (read-only) version.

• Use this version as a reference point throughout the year.

• Track your actual performance using Variance or Year-to-Date (YTD) reports.

• If you present a plan to the bank, keep a baseline copy so you can compare planned vs. actuals in future meetings.

Next Year Planning

Use this year’s actuals to help guide next year’s planning. Your historical data makes it easier to create realistic, goal-driven budgets going forward.

Need help with the tools?

• Learn how to build your Livestock Grid

• Get started with the Dairy Forecaster

For more detailed information watch our in-depth webinars below: