10 Best ERP Software for Agriculture (2023)

Agriculture enterprises require an ERP system capable of handling the industry’s unique challenges like commodity management, variability, and compliance requirements across rural operations. The right solution centralizes data while automating key processes across finance, inventory, supply chain, manufacturing, field operations, and agriculture-specific needs. Top ERP software for agriculture improves traceability, operational efficiency, and profitability.

This post examines 10 leading agribusiness-focused ERP platforms based on features, ease of use, analytics, scalability, and the ability to handle the breadth of agricultural functional needs from the back office to the field. Any farm, co-op, or agribusiness can benefit from an ERP tuned for agriculture success.

What is the most widely used ERP?

SAP ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is one of the most widely used ERP systems globally, serving businesses across various industries. However, the popularity of ERP systems can vary by region and industry, and there are other widely used ERPs like Oracle ERP and Microsoft Dynamics. It’s essential to consider specific business needs when choosing an ERP system.

Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of the top 10 ERP systems for agriculture businesses:

ERP	Pros	Cons
Acumatica	Specialized for agriculture; robust features; cloud-based	Can get expensive for large deployments
Sage Intacct	User-friendly; focused on finance and supply chain	Limited agriculture-specific features
SAP Business One	Affordable; modular; supports small operations	Not as scalable for large enterprises
Oracle NetSuite	Very scalable; full-featured; cloud model	High cost; significant training needed
SYSPRO	Specialized features for food and manufacturing	Limited third-party integrations
Epicor Prophet 21	Distribution DNA; field mobility; commodities model	Designed primarily for distributors
Microsoft Dynamics 365	Familiar interface; flexible analytics	Requires add-ons for specialized agriculture needs
BatchMaster ERP	Purpose-built for formula manufacturing	Heavier complexity than broad ERPs
IQMS	Robust manufacturing capabilities	Higher learning curve; on-premise
FoodLogiQ	Specialized for food industry; traceability; recall management	Narrow focus outside food niche

Acumatica

Acumatica provides a full-scale cloud ERP specially adapted for agriculture needs with modules for manufacturing, distribution, accounting, CRM, and business intelligence. Flexible product data handling supports managing any type of commodity or livestock. Mobile screens allow field staff to collect data and access info from anywhere.

Real-time dashboards give insights into all operations. Farm, production, and distribution workflows integrate seamlessly. Granular user security accommodates field access. The platform scales from small farms up to large vertically integrated agriculture companies. Acumatica’s agriculture edition simplifies digital transformation with modern cloud ERP purpose-built for agribusiness.

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct offers robust core financials and supply chain automation for agriculture packaged in a user-friendly cloud platform. Flexible dimensions capture data like field, crop, unit, and resource driving insights for precise decision making. Budget dashboards help manage seasonal variability and support traceability.

Intacct integrates with Sage agribusiness solutions for manufacturing, plant maintenance, and mobile field service. Users get access to data anytime on any device. Scalability accommodates operations of all sizes. Sage Intacct removes financial and inventory headaches so ag operators can focus on growth and production.

SAP Business One

SAP Business One provides an affordable, modular ERP option well-suited for smaller agribusinesses. It covers core accounting, inventory, manufacturing, sales, and customer management functionality. User-defined fields capture agriculture-specific attributes like genetics, harvest dates, certifications, etc. integrated across modules.

Dashboards deliver data visibility for analysis and planning. Add-on solutions support quality control, farm operations, and field mobility requirements. SAP’s global agriculture expertise aids effective implementations. SAP Business One offers an accessible ERP solution for getting centralized agriculture management and insights without overbuying capabilities.

Oracle NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite offers a robust agriculture ERP solution scaling for global multisite deployments. The platform aligns accounts payable, production, supply chain, inventory, and sales on a unified data model. Mobile access and barcode scanning assist field activities and traceability.

Real-time dashboards provide operational visibility and decision support. The flexible suite model enables managing financials, CRM, inventory, manufacturing, and HR specific to agriculture needs. NetSuite’s agriculture experience aids implementation and ongoing innovation of its modern cloud ERP offering.

SYSPRO ERP

SYSPRO provides specialized ERP software for agriculture machinery manufacturers and food producers. The platform optimizes the complexities of recipes, formulations, harvest batches, and bill of materials through integrated modules. Warehouse and quality management improve supply chain efficiency.

SYSPRO aligns planning and forecasting with sales, inventory, and production as conditions change. Mobility and manufacturing features assist in-field service and plant operations. The IoT connector allows capturing sensor data for analytics. Built-in business intelligence surfaces insights. SYSPRO offers deep industry expertise for optimized ag manufacturing and food production ERP.

Epicor Prophet 21

Epicor Prophet 21 combines proven distribution ERP with agribusiness-tailored capabilities for managing commodities, formulations, and blended products. Handheld devices support untethered field workflows. Lot tracking and recall management assist regulatory compliance.

Flexible mobile sales and inventory software improve efficiency of nurseries, turf managers, and other field-to-sale operations. Prophet 21 integrates with Epicor Mattec MES for processing and Eagle for digital agronomy field operations. For agribusinesses spanning the front and back office, Epicor Prophet 21 delivers complete ERP.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides cloud ERP to streamline operations and supply chain for agriculture producers and distributors. Configurable role-based dashboards deliver data visibility for planning and performance insights. Integration with Office 365 and Teams enables seamless communication and collaboration.

The modular platform aligns accounting, sales, inventory, service, and other processes on a common data foundation. Add-ons support lot traceability, farm management, and agronomy. For a scalable cloud ERP with flexible business analytics, Business Central offers strong capabilities and agriculture value at an affordable price.

BatchMaster ERP

BatchMaster ERP software enables formula-based food and plant manufacturers to integrate agriculture commodity processing, production, quality control, sales, and compliance. Flexible product definition and versioning equips manufacturers to rapidly fulfill changing commodity supply demands.

Advanced process manufacturing, warehousing, and inventory features optimize plant operations. Real-time dashboards provide production visibility. Integrated manufacturing execution systems and mobility assist plant floor operations and traceability. BatchMaster ERP improves margins and responsiveness for commodity ingredient processors.

IQMS ERP

IQMS provides a robust manufacturing ERP system used by agriculture equipment OEMs and packagers. Advanced product data management handles configured and blended product complexity. Real-time production monitoring and manufacturing intelligence guide optimal yield decisions.

Inventory optimization and warehouse management integrate procurement with fulfillment. Quality management capabilities assist regulatory compliance and recalls. IQMS also supports service, CRM, and supply chain requirements for complete field-to-factory ERP. Durable, industry-focused IQMS improves productivity across plant and field operations.

FoodLogiQ Food Industry ERP

FoodLogiQ delivers ERP purpose-built for food suppliers with grower-to-consumer traceability, recall management, and food safety capabilities woven throughout. Handheld apps allow collecting data from the field for traceability. Cold chain monitoring assists perishable quality control.

Lot tracing and automated mass balance reporting aid regulatory compliance. The platform readily integrates with other ag systems. FoodLogiQ provides a modern, scalable food supply chain ERP solution consolidating financials, inventory, and operations with food safety and compliance.

FAQs

1. How much does farm ERP cost? The cost of a farm ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of the farm, the features required, and the software provider. A rough estimate could be anywhere from a few thousand dollars for small farms to tens of thousands of dollars or more for larger operations.
2. What is the most widely used ERP? The most widely used ERP system globally is SAP ERP.
3. What are the three leading ERP systems? The three leading ERP systems are SAP ERP, Oracle ERP Cloud, and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
4. What does ERP stand for in agriculture? ERP in agriculture stands for “Enterprise Resource Planning,” which refers to software and systems used in agriculture to manage various aspects of farm operations, including finances, inventory, production, and more.
5. Is QuickBooks an ERP system? QuickBooks is not typically considered a full-fledged ERP system. It is primarily accounting software that may have some limited ERP-like features.
6. Is SAP an ERP system? Yes, SAP is a well-known ERP system.
7. What are the 4 types of ERP? The four types of ERP systems are:
   • On-Premises ERP
   • Cloud ERP
   • Open Source ERP
   • Industry-Specific ERP
8. What is better than ERP? ERP systems are designed for specific purposes, so what is “better” depends on your organization’s needs. Some alternatives or complementary systems to ERP include Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Business Intelligence (BI) software.
9. What are the two main ERP systems? The two main ERP systems are SAP ERP and Oracle ERP.
10. Will farmers get payments in 2023? The availability of payments to farmers in 2023 depends on various factors such as government policies, agricultural programs, and market conditions. Farmers may receive subsidies, grants, or payments based on these factors.
11. What are the benefits of ERP in agriculture? Benefits of ERP in agriculture may include improved inventory management, cost control, streamlined operations, better decision-making, and enhanced traceability of agricultural products.
12. How is USDA ERP calculated? The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) does not typically calculate ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) as it is a software system. However, the USDA may use various financial and management systems to support its operations.
13. Can an ERP replace QuickBooks? ERP systems can include financial modules, but they are generally more comprehensive and may replace QuickBooks for some organizations. However, for small businesses with simple accounting needs, QuickBooks may still be sufficient.
14. Is Excel an ERP system? No, Microsoft Excel is not an ERP system. It is spreadsheet software used for data analysis and reporting.
15. Does ERP include payroll? Many ERP systems include payroll modules, but it depends on the specific ERP software and the configuration chosen by the organization.
16. Which is better SAP or ERP? SAP is an ERP system, so this question is not about choosing between SAP and ERP. SAP is one of the leading ERP software providers.
17. Is it hard to learn SAP? Learning SAP can be challenging, as it is a complex and comprehensive ERP system. The difficulty depends on individual aptitude and the level of training received.
18. How much does SAP cost? SAP pricing varies widely based on the specific modules, licensing model, and company size. A rough estimate for a mid-sized company implementing SAP ERP could range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
19. What are the disadvantages of ERP? Some disadvantages of ERP systems include high implementation costs, complexity, potential resistance from employees, and the need for ongoing maintenance and updates.
20. Is workday an ERP? Workday is not a traditional ERP system but is known for its Human Capital Management (HCM) and Financial Management solutions.
21. Is Salesforce an ERP? Salesforce is not a traditional ERP system but is a widely used Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform.
22. What is replacing SAP? Different organizations may choose various ERP systems as alternatives to SAP, including Oracle ERP Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and other industry-specific solutions.
23. How do I choose an ERP software? Choosing ERP software involves assessing your organization’s needs, budget, scalability, and industry-specific requirements. It’s essential to conduct a thorough evaluation, consider vendor reputation, and get input from key stakeholders.
24. Is SAP outdated? SAP continues to evolve and adapt to changing technology trends. While some older versions of SAP may become outdated, the company regularly releases updates and new versions to stay current.
25. Is Microsoft 365 an ERP system? No, Microsoft 365 is a suite of cloud-based productivity tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It is not an ERP system.
26. Is Shopify an ERP? Shopify is not an ERP system. It is an e-commerce platform that helps businesses set up online stores and manage their online sales.
27. Is PeopleSoft an ERP? PeopleSoft is an ERP software suite developed by Oracle Corporation. It is used for various enterprise functions, including HR, finance, and supply chain management.
28. How much will the 2023 farm bill cost? The cost of the 2023 farm bill would depend on its specific provisions, budget allocations, and government decisions. An exact estimate is not available without the bill’s details.
29. What is the price outlook for Agriculture in 2023? The price outlook for agriculture in 2023 would depend on various factors such as crop yields, demand, weather conditions, and global market trends. It’s challenging to provide an exact estimate.
30. What is the trend in Agriculture in 2023? Trends in agriculture in 2023 may include increased adoption of technology, sustainable farming practices, and a focus on food security and supply chain resilience. Specific trends can vary by region and sector.

Conclusion

The right ERP software unlocks huge gains for agriculture enterprises by connecting data and automating processes across the business. Solutions like Acumatica, Intacct, SAP Business One, and NetSuite ERP provide robust platforms tailored for the unique needs of farms and agribusinesses. More specialized solutions like FoodLogiQ cater to specific niches like food processing. With agriculture-focused ERP, operators gain the visibility and efficiency needed to improve margins and operations.