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Archive for March, 2009
Friday, March 20th, 2009
Despite a mysterious disease killing millions of honeybees, California ranks third in the United States for honey production.
According to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, honey production rose in California by more than one-third in 2008. 360,000 hives were based in California that produced 18.3 million pounds of honey in comparison to 13.6 million pounds produced in 2007.
This resulted in $26 million revenue for beekeepers in California. Every year thousands of beekeepers take their bees to California to pollinate blossoming nut and fruit trees.
North Dakota and South Dakota only top California in honey production.
If you are interested in honey productio,n agriculture loans are available. Contact Farm Plus today for more information regarding low-rate agriculture loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online.
Tags: bees, california, honey, norther dakota, south dakota
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
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California is hitting its third year of drought. Reuters news wire has compiled a list of important facts why legislation must pass to fix the problem. Many do not realize the impact the drought in California has on the entire world.
Here are some facts about California farming and water:
– California leads all states as top farm producer measured by cash receipts of $36.6 billion in 2007, 13 percent of the U.S. total and nearly twice the output of No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Iowa.
– The state has 75,000 farms and ranches and is home to nine of the nation’s top 10 producing counties.
– It supplies over half of U.S. fruits, nuts and vegetables and over 90 percent of U.S. almonds, artichokes, avocados, broccoli and processing tomatoes. Grapes, lettuce and almonds are the biggest crops in cash value.
– California produces 80 percent of the world almond crop and one-third of the world’s canned tomatoes.
– California is not technically a “breadbasket.” It is not a top five U.S. producer of any grain product, but it is, surprisingly, the nation’s largest dairy producer.
– Overseas exports have risen in recent years to 25 percent of total production today from 16 percent 10 years ago. The top three destinations - the European Union, Canada and Japan - accounted for nearly 60 percent of the 48-commodity total.
– Farming accounts for 2 percent of the state’s $1.6 trillion economy, but its demand for equipment, transport, labor and other services make it a key economic sector for the world’s eighth-largest economy.
– The San Joaquin Valley accounts for 60 percent of the state’s prime farmland and is the world’s most productive agricultural region. It depends mostly on snowpack melt from hundreds of miles away for irrigation.
– Farming accounts for 80 percent of the state’s water usage, according to the Pacific Institute, but the farm industry and government put the number much lower at 40 percent to 60 percent.
– California is expected to suffer its third straight year of drought in 2009. Economic losses could rise to $3 billion and 95,000 agricultural jobs will be lost. Federal water deliveries will be zero and state water allocations could be 15 percent of the amount requested.
– Over the course of this century, climate models show California’s water supply dropping 24 percent to 30 percent, most in the second half, according to studies by the University of California, Davis.
If you are interested in purchasing farm land in California or anywhere in the United States, contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans are available with record low interest rates! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: california, drought, water
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is endorsing an increase in the ethanol blend rate to 15 percent.
Vilsack said, “We can move fairly quickly to move that rate up from 10 percent to maybe 12 or 13 percent in the interim and then take an even further jump to 15 percent or even 20 percent over the course of the next couple of years.”
On Friday the ethanol industry officially petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to raise the amount. 10 Midwestern states’ directors (including South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Montana and Ohio) wrote to the EPA requesting the raise.
The letter read, “American ethanol production has nearly reached 10 percent saturation. We must move to a base blend of 15 or 20 percent in 2009 in order to continue growing this vital industry. By working together to promote domestic productions and improve market access, we can continue o deliver a clean, renewable fuel that has a positive impact on our domestic economy.”
The increase will not only help lower the nation’s dependency on oil, but also calls for an increase in crops.
If you are interested in purchasing farmland to grow corn for ethanol or any other agricultural purpose, contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans with low rates are currently available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: corn, ethanol, vilsack
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) introduced a bill to congress that bans the tax on cow’s methane emissions.
Cows produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from burps and flatulence. The Environmental Agency wants to tax the emissions to slow global warming.
Under these regulations, a small-sized dairy farm with 75 to 100 cows would pay between $13,000 to $22,000. A small-sized cattle operation with 200-300 cows would be charged anywhere between $17,000 and $27,000.
Ranchers and farmers were outraged by this tax that came out to $175 a dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle and $20 per hog.
The frenzy has lessened, but the senators want to lobby to assure this does not happen- especially in the current economic crunch.
The good news is The American Farm Bureau is strongly behind the Thune-Schumer bill.
If you are interested in purchasing a dairy farm contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans are available. Farm Plus works with government agency to obtain farm loans for potential farmers. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: farm bureau, gas tax, Thune-Schumer bill
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Organic farming is quickly gaining popularity as people are learning what is happening to the planet and their bodies. Few realize that it dates back decades.
Tom and Irene Frantzen, this year’s winner of the 2009 Farmers of the Year by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services, have been using organic farming methods since 1979.
Tom saw Pope John Paul II speaking in Des Moines, Iowa about preserving the land in 1979 and immediately started using fewer chemical inputs. His efforts were taught to him by the Practical Farmers of Iowa where he served as president in 1991 and 1992.
The Frantzens spent many hours learning innovated techniques from various farmers, classes and even visiting farms in Sweden. The couple used an experience in Sweden to change their entire farming process. The farms used deep straw bedding for hogs. This technique traps heat in the straw so barns do not have to be heated. When fresh straw is put down, the old straw goes on top the fields to add nutrients to the ground.
In 1998 the land owned by the Frantzens was certified organic. In 1999 their hogs were also certified, followed by their beef in 2003.
The Frantzens are very involved in the organic farming community in the Midwest and are an inspiration. They show that hard work and the willingness to learn pay off in the end.
Have you been tossing around the idea of purchasing land for organic farming or conventional farming? Contact Farm Plus today. Low rate agriculture loans are available. Contact a representative about farm loans by phone at 866-929-5585 or online.
Tags: iowa, midwest, organic farms
Posted in Iowa farm loans, Wisconsin Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Creating a business takes much thought and consideration. Farming is no different. In this week’s Coshocton Tribune, Marissa Mullett, of the Ohio State University Extension at Coschocton County, explained the importance of risk management in farming, most importantly diversification.
Farms start with a specialty, such as dairy or beef and gain respect and nobility for those quality products. It is important to recognize the need for specialty to gain this respect. Once the company is recognizable and successful, diversification is the next step.
In situations like the current dairy struggle, those who offer other crops or services will come out better than those strictly selling dairy. Some examples are adding wind turbines to your land or corn farms growing soybeans.
Mullett pointed out that having diverse products saves you in seasons where maybe profits or premiums drop. The backup services or crops may help the farm or vineyard to cover losses. The possibilities are endless.
Many see starting any business at this point a risk, but as Mullett explained with the right plans businesses can find success.
It’s no secret that the dairy industry is struggling and some see other areas of agriculture being hit as well. However, if you follow advice like this your business can find success during the economic recession.
Are you interested in purchasing farmland or a vineyard? Farm loans, ranch loans and vineyard loans are available today. Contact Farm Plus for information regarding low interest farm loans, ranch loans and vineyard loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online to start the process today!
Tags: business, dairy, risk management
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Farmer Mac, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation announced that the Board of Directors officially appointed Michael A. Gerber as the president and chief executive director. A member of the Farmer Mac Board since June 2007, Gerber took on responsibility as acting president and CEO in October while the board looked for a new CEO. His past experience includes serving as President and Chief Executive Officer at Farm Credit of Western New York.
Acting Chairman of the Board Lowell Junkins said, “Mike Gerber has provided tremendous leadership to Farmer Mac over the last five months — a critical time period for the company. During his tenure, the company has successfully raised net new capital of $115 million through private investors and implemented a new program to encourage guarantee and purchase transactions with commercial banks and Farm Credit System institutions. Mike has the vision and leadership skills to advance Farmer Mac’s mission and continue Farmer Mac’s invaluable service to rural America.”
If you are interested in purchasing agriculture land, Farm Plus works alongside programs such as Farmer Mac to help people get farm loans or ranch loans. Now is a great time to inquire about farm loans or ranch loans because of low rates. If you are interested in agriculture loans call or visit online for more information about ranch loans or farm loans.
Tags: farm loans, farmer mac
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
The USDA’S Chief Economist, Joe Glauber spoke at the USDA’S Annual Outlook Conference, noting that a lot has changed in the last twelve months. ( Watch video here)
Glauber admitted that last year things looked much brighter. Commodities were near record highs, exports and income were expected to be at record levels as well, in fact there was even concern that there would not be enough crops to meet global demands. Since last year’s conference commodities have fallen 40-50% and there is much uncertainty due to the global economic problems.
He expects that the forecast for 2009 is $20 million under the $95.5 from 2008. Most of this is due to the competition from other countries growing wheat and corn crops. However, soybean production will be at the same level.
It is expected that acreage will decrease by 5.2 million in 2009 because there seems to be a lack of contracting opportunities. Soybeans prices are increasingly favorable over corn, but corn crops are needed to meet the goal of 10.5 billion gallons of ethanol.
Regardless of current conditions, there are many opportunities to operate a successful farm. There are many innovated concepts, such as wind turbines, that are expected to increase. However, if conventional farming is your dream, now is the time to get a farm loan and purchase land.
Rates are at record lows, and the economic slump is expected to pan out within the next couple years. If you are interested in obtaining a farm loan or would like more information about farm loans contact Farm Plus today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online regarding farm loans.
Tags: economic outlook, usda
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Wind farms are having a huge impact on agriculture. Many farms are turning to wind turbines to make extra money and credits. Large electric companies are buying into the trend and bringing business to new farms.
American Electric Power has sealed a deal to bring 100 megawatts of wind power to Ohio. The company, based out of Columbus, OH made plans to purchase power from a wind farm in northwestern Indiana.
The 100 watts is part of a transaction that will bring 250 megawatts to many parts of AEP’s 11 state coverage.
The farm will be developed by BP Wind Energy and will be up and running by the end of 2009.
AEP owns a total of 38,000 megawatts of power that provides energy for 5 million customers. Currently, Ohio does not see any of this wind-generated energy. Only one wind farm exists within the state in Bowling Green.
If you are interested in taking part of the green movement with a wind farm, please contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans are available for conventional farming or innovated farming. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans. Farm Plus will work with government agencies to provide you a farm loan. Now is a great time to inquire, farm loans have incredibly low rates!
Tags: renewable energy, wind farm
Posted in Indiana Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Farmers and politicians strongly disagree with President Obama’s plan to cut U.S. Farm Subsidies to any farm that generates over $500,000 in revenue.
Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Tom Harkin and North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgon (D.) have developed possible alternative solutions.
Harkin suggest to shut off direct payments to grain, cotton and soybean growers based off adjusted gross incomes… perhaps between $200,000 and $250,000. This would put subsidies in the hands of farmers that need the money most.
Dorgon suggests the first step in decreasing farm spending is to limit all payments to growers. Dorgan is and has been a longtime supporter of $250,000 payment limit as is Obama.
Either of these suggestions would help the medium sized farms and some large farms that fall under Obama’s plan. Dorgan agrees that the multimillion dollar payments to some corporate farms should be stopped.
Currently there are 126,000 farms with sales above $500,000 and 1.2 million farms have less than $10,000 in sales.
If you are interested in purchasing a farm farm loans are available. Contact a representative by phone (866-929-5585) or online at Farm Plus to assist you in obtaining a farm loan.
Tags: farm subsidies, obama
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