Good help is hard to find on the ranch. When you find it, holding onto it is essential. While we can’t help you hire the right ranch hands, we can help you make sure they get paid on time, track their vacation days, understand their benefits, and feel confident about their future. The right payroll system ensures your team is taken care of—accurately, efficiently, and legally.
That’s why choosing the right payroll software is one of the most critical decisions for any agricultural employer. From processing paychecks to managing payroll taxes, your payroll service must match the specific needs of your small farm or ranch. FarmRaise offers streamlined payroll solutions tailored for agricultural businesses, and yes—we even file your Form 943 so you're ready when the IRS comes calling.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision and choose a system that fits your farming operations like a well-worn glove.
Agricultural payroll is uniquely complex. Between seasonal workers, part-time help, and piece rate pay structures, managing payroll processing in farming operations is no small feat. You're not just cutting paychecks; you're juggling minimum wage laws, time tracking, tax forms, and direct deposit logistics—all while running your business.
Unlike traditional small business payroll, farm payroll must also account for:
This is where dedicated agricultural payroll systems shine. They're built to handle farm management quirks without forcing you to become a payroll expert yourself.
When evaluating your options, focus on functionality that aligns with how your ranch or farm business actually operates.
If a payroll system feels like herding cats, it’s not the right choice. Your solution should have a user-friendly interface, clear steps for entering hours, calculating wages, and running reports.
FarmRaise Payroll, for instance, offers a streamlined dashboard that makes it easy to process payroll, manage employees, and complete tax filing in one place.
Automation isn’t just about convenience—it’s about accuracy. Look for systems that automate income tax withholding, social security, and year-end tax forms to reduce human error. Real-time tracking ensures updates to hours, benefits, and leave are always current.