We welcome all Michigan State University Extension (MSU-E) agents embarking upon a journey to improve the accuracy and usefulness of Michigan farm record data. We believe that analysis of accurate farm records will enable the farm owner/operator(s) to use his/her (their) farm records as a diagnostic tool that in turn can provide a benchmark for planning. We do recognize that this activity requires a time commitment from the MSU-E agent and also a willingness to bear some responsibility in improving the accuracy and consistency of the farm record database. It is to this problem of farm record consistency that this paper is addressed.