Why Traction Ag Farm Accounting Software Pays Off

Christie Wilson | Farmer | Traction Ag Customer Since 2020

My name is Christie, and I farm alongside my family in central Ohio. We run JCW Farms Partnership, a 5,200 acre corn and soybean operation spread across five counties. Over the years, we’ve built out multiple entities, we have our farm, an equipment entity, two land entities, and even a personal entity. So when it comes to managing finances, things get complicated fast.

We were looking for a new farm management system, and my daughter and I had researched a bunch of options. There was no shortage of accounting software out there, but unless it had both accounting and field ops together in one platform, I wasn’t even willing to consider it.

Gaining Traction

When I first heard about Traction Ag, it wasn’t the polished feature-rich platform it is today. In fact, it was still in its early stages. But I met the people behind it who showed me what it was going to be, and I saw the potential in software designed specifically for farm finances. Not everyone is willing to jump into new technology early, but I’m glad I did. Traction has grown into what I need, and I’ve had a front-row seat to that progress.

Traction is an accounting, operations, financial planning & analysis (FP&A) software made for farmers. That’s what sets it apart. It’s not just farm accounting or farm management. It’s both. And it keeps evolving in ways that save me time, make my reports cleaner, and help me make better financial decisions. Traction has proved itself a solid tool for managing our operation, because the company understands what farmers like me actually need.

And Traction just keeps getting better.

It was an easy transition

I was not in a big hurry to make a switch. I thought, “I’m too old to learn new software. Can’t I just keep doing what I’m doing?” But even for someone who didn’t want to learn something new, the transition to Traction was painless. The system is intuitive, and I didn’t have to spend weeks figuring it out. I don’t think I could say that about other products.

Farm-focused software updates

In addition to being easy to use, Traction is constantly improving the software based on real farm feedback. They don’t just build features and hope we use them. They ask what we need and strive to make them happen. You don’t find the little issues until you’re actually using the product, but then Traction actually fixes them. That’s how I know they’re paying attention, because they take the time to make it right.

When Traction releases new features, they post software update articles and sometimes host webinars to explain them. My kids are comfortable clicking around and figuring things out on their own, but I don’t want to mess something up, so I appreciate the information that Traction provides. They help me see exactly how a new function works before I try it myself. As someone who’s been with them from the start, I’ve seen firsthand how they continue to refine and expand their features to meet the needs of ag today.

Managing a business and making informed decisions

Farming isn’t just growing crops, it’s managing a business. You need good records and solid numbers to make the right decisions. For years I made do with the systems we had, and spent hours buried in paperwork trying to piece together our finances and field records. Like most farmers, I was relying on paper ledgers and spreadsheets, and trying to make basic accounting software work for us. But after switching to Traction I can confidently say: I should’ve done this sooner.

I track harvest year-round to know our cost of production. Traction manages the complexities of inputs, tracking expenses, and knowing the true cost of an acre. When I import my John Deere harvest records and cross-check them against our UHarvest grain cart scale, I know exactly where we stand when I’m making marketing decisions. If corn is $6 per bushel you can get away with a rough estimate, but when it’s closer to $4, nickels and dimes matter. It isn’t just about keeping the books, it’s about making informed decisions.

Cloud-based software

Before Traction, I was tied to a desktop. If I wanted to check financials or update records, I had to be in the office. Now, I can work from anywhere, even from the lake! The flexibility of cloud-based software is something I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. I’m not saying I get to spend my whole summer at the lake, but I have the flexibility to handle the farm’s finances without being chained to my desk.

Tax prep and reports

Tax season has always been a pain, especially with multiple entities. I used to spend three full days doing our farm's taxes. Printing, stuffing envelopes, mailing forms… it was a nightmare. Then Traction released their 1099 integration, and last year I processed all my entities in just an hour and a half! I was so overjoyed and impressed with that. That’s not a small improvement… that’s a game-changer.

When I started using Traction I pulled the automated reports for my accountant and asked if they needed any other information. They didn’t, and that’s a big deal. If my banker and accountant can use these reports without issue, that means less back and forth, fewer questions, and less wasted time.

This software is moving the industry forward

I know that switching accounting systems can feel like a hassle, and I know plenty of folks who are reluctant to change. But if you’re still juggling spreadsheets, basic accounting software, or piecing together your accounting and field records separately, let me tell you… there’s a better way. I’ve used Traction since 2020, and I can confidently say it’s worth it. The time savings, the clarity, the ability to see my entire operation in one place… it’s made a huge difference in how we manage our farm. It’s not just accounting software, it’s a whole system built specifically for serious farm operations.

Traction listens, evolves, and delivers. And that’s why I’ll be using it for years to come.