Creating a Formulation in AgroGuide

Overview

Use this job aid to create a formulation.  Create and manage formulations on the AgroGuide window. The formulation is calculated based on the values entered on the Requirements tab. The Formulation tab contains the formula components and the specific quantities required within the formula. Also included is information such as analysis statistics, price, cost, volume, density, margin controls and surcharge setups.  The formulation process can be accessed through several options within AgroGuide.

To create a formulation:

1. From the Toolbar, select AGY for AgroGuide.

2. From the AgroGuide menu, select AgroGuide.

3. To select a client, type the name of the client in the Client box, or click   to access a list of clients in Name/Address. From the drop-down list, select the client

4. Then Select Formulation.

5. If you want to use an existing formulation, in the Formulation Id box, click Lookup , enter information to find a formulation by, and then select the formulation from the Formulation Lookup window.

6. The Client Name, Farm, Field, Subfield, Area, Regulatory State/County and Soil Texture will populate when choosing to Blend through the AgroGuide option, because you selected the options first prior to selecting the Formulation button.

7. On the Requirements tab, enter the information required to generate the formulation.

8. Click Item Review to modify the contents of the formula group. You can also add items, remove items, change lock percentages, and induction orders. If the system is set to use only one location, the Lookup button will display the default location. If an item is manually added to the formulation and it is not setup at the default location in the business system, a warning message will display. When you click the Item Lookup , only items that are setup at the default location display. If you click New, and the system is set to use only one location, the default location will display.

9. To assign the Farm, Field, Subfield, and/or Crop, click the drop down arrow and select the appropriate option. If the information has not been setup, click the New button next to the Farm, Field, and Subfield boxes to add this information.

10. The Regulatory frame is used for the Regulatory Quick Check feature.  The State, County, and Soil Texture default from the Farm, Field, or Subfield selected if the information is set up.  Regulatory data can be edited from this window by clicking the drop down arrow and selecting the State, County, Crop, and Soil Texture OR by typing the appropriate description for the box.  Example: Type ka to display Kansas in the State box.

11. Type the values for pH and OM% that are a representation for this field.

12. Note: The Regulatory  boxes are only available if AgroGuide is integrated with CDMS and the Quick Check is enabled.

13. In the Expire Date box, if creating a formulation for a Quote with an expiration date, type the date (mm/dd/yy) or use the Lookup calendar icon to identify the date that the Quote will expire. Leave the box blank if the formulation is not for a customer quote.

14. Mark the Formulation to Grade (Analysis) check box if the formulation is to grade (percent).

15. Mark the Formulate to Maximums check box to formulate to maximum nutrient level(s) allowed in blend.   The maximums display as a column in the Nutrient Requirements box.

16. Mark the Formulate to Nutrient Forms check box to formulate blend using nutrient forms.  The Nutrient Forms display in the Nutrient Requirements box.  

17. Mark the Consider Item Prepays to first check items within the Formulation Group that the customer has prepaid, to use in calculating the formulation.

18. Mark the appropriate Quantity option as to whether the blend is formulated by weight or by area.    

19. If formulating blend to Quantity, type the total blend quantity needed in Weight box.   

20. If formulating blend to Area, type the quantity of area in the Area box. The area defaults to the Crop Area value, but you can override if needed.

21. If the formulating to grade, type the weight per unit of measure for the grade.

22. Mark the Formulation Approach to use.• Least Cost - Select Least Cost to use items that will have the least cost to the dealer, • Least Price – Select Least Price to use items that will have the lowest price to the customer, • Traditional - Select Traditional to use the multiple to single nutrient item application approach, which is taught in agronomy schools.

23.  In the Nutrient Requirements frame, type the Ordered Rate (Formulate to weight/area check box marked), Ordered Percent (Formulate to Grade check box marked), and/or Ordered Maximums (Formulate to Maximums check box marked) for the Nutrients and/or Nutrient Forms (Formulate to Nutrient Forms check box marked).

24. If using a Liquid Formulation Group: • Accept the default Water % , OR enter the water % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of water by leaving the box blank.

25. If using a Dry Formulation Group: • Accept the default Dryer % , OR enter the dryer % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of dryer by leaving the box blank, • Mark the Use filler in dry formulas check box if this formulation requires filler, • Mark the Consider nutrient value of filler check box if you want the system to calculate the nutrient value of the filler item as part of the nutrient requirements.  If the check box is unmarked, the system will ignore the nutrient value of this filler item

26. 18. If using a Clear Liquid Formulation Group:• Accept the default Water % , OR enter the water % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of water by leaving the box blank, • The Solubility System is displayed as a reminder of the default setup for the Formulation Group

27. If using a Cold Suspension Formulation Group:• Accept the default Clay % , OR enter the clay % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of clay by leaving the box blank, • Accept the default Water % , OR enter the water % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of water by leaving the box blank, • Mark the Ignore Saltout Temp check check box to prohibit the system from adjusting the assigned water percentage to adjust for the saltout temperature.

28. If using a Hot Suspension Formulation Group:• Accept the default Clay % , OR enter the clay % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of clay by leaving the box blank,  • Accept the default Water % , OR enter the water % needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage of water by leaving the box blank,  • Accept the default Water Temp , OR enter the water temperature between 32-212 degrees used in this formulation,  • Accept the default %P from Phos Reactor , OR enter the percentage of Phosphorous from the phosphate reactor item needed in this formulation, OR allow the system to calculate the percentage by leaving the box blank.

29. On the Formulation tab, you can modify the quantity, weight, volume, costs, margins, and so forth, for each item in the formulation.

30. To add additional items to the formulation, click the Item Lookup .  When you click this button the  Formulation Item Filter window displays.  This window will allow you to lookup chemicals, fertilizers, and seed items by location. If the system is set to use only one location, the Lookup button will be disabled and the default location will display. Select the item you want to add, and then enter the rate per acre for chemicals for the weight for fertilizers.  When adding service items, the quantity will default in from the number of acres on the formulation.

31. Click Inventory to display the inventory quantities for the default location. Mark Display All Inventory to display quantities from all inventory locations.

32. Click Print to print a formulation ticket and regulatory reports.

33. Click Ok to save the formulation.

Learn more about the Formulation feature: