Active Ledger provides a full primary production tool that allows you to calculate and record livestock values and quantities. The tool is also able to post automatic journals into the file.
To access the primary production calculator navigate to the relevant dataset and click on the Other Info tab. From here click on the Primary Production tab. From this screen, you can see a list of trading accounts. Livestock trading accounts are distinguished from other trading accounts by the presence of a 'truck' icon. It is only these livestock accounts that the tool works for. If you need to create new trading accounts you can do so by clicking on the + New Trading Account button.
For more information on creating trading accounts see the knowledge article: Accounts - Trading Accounts.
Clicking on the relevant trading account will take you to the calculator.
From here you are able to choose the average cost or market value calculation method. Then it is simply a matter of entering quantities for each of the relevant line items. For the calculator to work, each line item must have a unique account. For example, you cannot use an account called 'Stock - Cattle' for both 'Killed for Rations' and 'Deaths'. As with all Active Ledger journals, you can create any new accounts required as you go.
Note: Not only will you need to add a new account for every primary production type required (i.e. sales, opening stock, purchases natural increase, killed for rations, deaths, and closing stock), but also for every separate trading account. This enables Active Ledger to calculate and report on the relevant quantities entered.
Once the quantity values have been entered, you can easily tell if you are out of balance by a notice at the bottom of the calculator. You are able to double-click on any account to assign the out of balance amount.
Once complete you can choose to save the configuration or post the journal. The journal will also be posted if you use the Process Automatic Journals button on the journals screen. Once posted you can navigate to the journal to enter any revenue or costs figures as required.
Editing the calculator
Before saving the configuration or posting the journal you are able to change the accounts for each line item. However, once saved, it is no longer possible to do this. There are two ways to edit the saved accounts.
1. Reallocate the account to a different production cost type
If you have used the wrong production cost type, click on the double arrow to the left of the current cost type. This will bring up a Change to option where you can move the account to a different cost type simply by clicking on the relevant option.
2. Remove the account type allocation
If you need to delete the account, you will need to remove it from the trading account. To do this navigate to the Accounts screen and choose the Primary Production View (alternatively you can open and edit each account one by one). In the relevant account select the dropdown menu in the 'Primary Production' column and choose Clear Default Trading Account. When you return to the calculator the account will have been deleted and you can choose another or create a new one.
Note: The Primary Production view is only available for Cost of Sales accounts. To change any other accounts (e.g. sales) you will need to open and edit the account.
Note: If you only clear the production cost type (or do not allocate a production cost type), the calculator will allocate the account to 'Purchases'.
Generating a livestock report
To create a livestock report in the financial statements, create a new report, and customise the Profit and Loss page. Choose the Separate Trading Accounts option from the 'Display Trading Account Pages' dropdown menu. This will produce a separate page for each trading account and will also display quantities for any livestock accounts.
Next article: Accounts