Records do not have to begin with complex software. A consistent note of inputs, labour, harvests, sales and payments can help make farm decisions less dependent on memory.
Start with a few fields that match the operation: date, activity, quantity, cost, person responsible and result. Record purchases and sales promptly, separate household and business transactions where possible, and review the information at regular intervals. Keep receipts where available and protect personal financial information. Records are most useful when they inform a decision, such as adjusting an input plan or comparing crop cycles, rather than simply accumulating in a notebook.