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Archive for May, 2009
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
The American Wind Energy Association released data announcing the top states currently producing wind energy and those that have plans for future wind power projects.
1. Texas. Texas currently has 7,907 megawatts of wind power. 1,102 megawatt are in construction now.
2. Iowa. Iowa has 2,883 megawatts and 210 under construction.
3. California. California has 2,653 megawatts of wind power with 125 under construction.
4. Minnesota. With 1,803 megawatts across the state of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota comes in fourth.
5. Washington. Washington is right behind Minnesota with 1,479 megawatts.
6. Oregon. Oregon currently has 1,363 megawatts of wind power with 126 under construction.
7. New York. New York has 1,262 megawatts today, with 21 under construction.
8. Colorado. As the eighth top state in the United States, Colorado has 1,068 megawatts of wind powered electricity.
Wind power is a growing trend among farms because the government offers great subsidies. For more information on subsidies and farm loans contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus has many low-rate farm loans for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 for more information on farm loans or visit online.
Tags: renewable energy, wind farm, wind power
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, Colorado farm loans, Iowa farm loans, Minnesota Farm Loans, Oregon farm loans, Washinton Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
A Texas wind farm that falls within migrating bird’s trails is investing in a radar system to assure birds do not collide with the 2,500-pound rotating blades according to the Guardian.
Iberdola Renewables, a 202-watt wind farm owned by a Spanish company, plans to use radar developed for NASA and the U.S. Air Force that can detect birds from four miles away.
Wind farms draw huge complaints from conservationists who want wind farms set far distances from migration paths. A recent study found that 7,000 birds are killed a year from hitting blades, electrical wirings or other parts of the farm. Even more bats are killed each year than birds.
The technology, developed by DeTect Inc., will help put conservationists at ease.
Have you been thinking about purchasing land for a wind farm? Now is a great time to get your business started! Farm Plus has low-rate farm loans available today to help you with any of your business needs. Farm Plus also works alongside government agency to help you get any low-rate farm loan available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: renewable energy, wind farm
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
The need and want for organic products has increased by 17 percent in 2008. The industry sold $25.6 billion in products despite the current economic woes, according to the Organic Trade Association’s annual industry survey.
The survey does go beyond organic food into fibers, personal care and pet food. However, organic food sales are up by 15.8 percent at $22.9 billion in sales. It is now accountable as 3.5 percent of all food sold in the United States.
The spike in growth is attributed to people wanting whole food and won’t let a lack of money stop them, and that organic food is now available at all grocery stores.
President Obama’s administration is looking to make the industry grow even more, starting with an even more extensive survey about organic food and growth. There will also be a $50 million program to encourage more organic farming, and a specific division of the USDA will focus on organic farming for the first time, ever.
The increase in sales should not come as a large shock with the increase in awareness about healthy food and pesticides. According to the agriculture census in 2007, there are more, smaller family farms than large ones that do produce organic goods.
Want to jump on the organic bandwagon? Contact Farm Plus today. The industry is growing, so become a part of history. For a low-rate farm loan to help you with your organic farming needs call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: organic
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
The USDA is conducting its first ever wide-scale survey of organic farming in America. Tom Vilsack said it is important to find out the growth of organic farming and how it is changing American agriculture. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture 20,000 U.S. farms were organic producers.
“The Organic Production Survey is a direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, and businesses,” said Vilsack. “This is an opportunity for organic producers to share their voices and help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of organic farming in the United States.”
The survey will look at 2008 from production and marketing practices to income and expenses. It will look at those in the organic market as well as those making the transition. The results of the survey will be used in the future to shape policies, set funding allocations, availability of services, community development and any other issues. It will also help other farmers plan their businesses.
The survey will be mailed out by mid-May and must be returned by June 17.
If you are looking to purchase farmland or need a loan for expenses contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate farm loans are available now. Call 866-929-5585 for more information or visit online for information about farm loans.
Tags: organic, usda, vilsack
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
After the heavy flooding this spring many officials fear that Anthrax may appear this summer within cattle herds. Anthrax outbreaks can easily occur in flood condition because the heavy rain conditions help the contaminated soil spread.
Officials suggest all cattle be vaccinated for Anthrax now.
Charlie Stoltenow of the North Dakota State University Extension Service said, “Producers should seriously consider vaccinating their animals before spring turnout this year.â€
The worst time for Anthrax scares is during June. Often times animals within herds are found dead when not vaccinated.
Stoltenow assured the vaccine is not dangerous to humans or the animals. He suggested getting animals together for the vaccine before going to pasture. “Gathering up cattle in the summer for vaccinations is time-consuming, difficult and could have been prevented.â€
If anthrax appears it can be quite costly because it lives in the soil for decades. The latest outbreak occurred in 2005 killing more than 500 cattle, bison, horses, sheep and llamas.
If you are interested in more information you can e-mail Stoltenow at charles.stoltenow@ndsu.edu
Are you looking for a farm loan? Now is a great time to get a low-rate farm loan for your farming needs. Contact Farm Plus today for more information regarding farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online.
Posted in General, North Dakota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said climate legislation will benefit farmers. Although no exact details are available, growers would be paid to offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Vilsack said the payments could be based on which emission allowances for greenhouse gases are sold or given away to utilities and other polluters.
Democrats are preparing bills that will place caps on emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases to address climate change.
Companies who exceed the limits need to obtain allowances or buy credits from elsewhere. For example companies can turn to farmers who have to cut carbon emissions by reducing tillage or capturing methane from livestock manure.
Vilsack told journalists that farmers need to benefit from the credit system “in a comprehensive and significant way. I think we have a lot to offer.â€
Farm organizations are fighting to allow farmers to earn credits for measures they’ve taken before the law passed.
Looking for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.
Tags: greenhouse emissions, vilsack
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Those looking to participate in the average crop revenue election (ACRE) program, the USDA just announced criteria for participation.
ACRE is an optional safety net program that protects both price and production losses on a commodity-by-commodity basis. The deadline for the program Aug. 14.
According to the Illinois Farm Bureau:
Growers are eligible for revenue coverage equaling 90 percent of the product of a two-year national average program guarantee price times a benchmark state yield that factors average yield per planted acre of each commodity over a five-year period, dropping the high and low yields.
USDA will use yield data from the past five crop years, Illinois Farm Bureau risk management specialist Doug Yoder reported 2009 applicants thus will need production records from 2004 through 2008.
Here’s other tips on proving yields for ACRE:
• In the absence of complete documentation over that period, producers may submit 95 percent of their county average substitute yield.
• Acceptable production evidence includes crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance loss records or actual yield data, commercial receipts, elevator or warehouse settlement sheets, load summaries, and market loan or loan deficiency program records.
• In cases in which the grain was fed, FSA will accept truck scale tickets, or contemporaneous diaries recorded at the time of crop harvest or use. Producers can use individual yields moving backward in their history until they reach a break in continuity. For example, a grower may have corn yield documentation for 2008, 2007, and 2006 but no records for 2005. At that point, he must submit the county plug yield for 2005 and 2004, even if 2004 production evidence is available
• If a producer did not plant corn for one of the five seasons or sustained a federally declared failed crop, that does not constitute a continuity break, Yoder emphasized. Growers may use the county yields even when individual yields are available, if the county yield for a given year is higher. But once a producer opts to use the county yield for an individual season, he must use that plug-in yield for all previous seasons. FSA will drop high and low yields to calculate the producers final five-year average.
Contact Farm Plus today for farm loans! Farm Plus works alongside government agencies to get you the low-rate farm loans you need. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information about farm loans.
Tags: A.C.R.E., crop protection, illinois farm bureau
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Researchers are looking to engineer the “cow of the future†that releases less gas to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.
The project wants to reduce intestinal methane, the largest component of the dairy industry’s carbon footprint, according to Thomas Gallagher, chief executive officer of the U.S. Dairy and Dairy Management Inc.’s Innovation Center in Rosemont, Ill. (Reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Rick Naczi, leader of the initiative, said one area they are looking at is modifying the cow’s feed so they produce less methane.
“Right now there is some work being done on fish-oil additives and some other things,†he said.
The researchers are also looking to target the microbes in the cow’s stomach. “You can change the mix of the bacteria in the cow’s rumen and change the methane production that way,†Naczi added.
Naczi believes the research will develop some solutions within the next year.
If you are looking to enter the dairy industry, contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate farm loans are available for many of your farming
needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding low-rate farm loans.
Tags: dairy, methane gas
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Vermont’s struggling farmers have a new ray of hope. Gov. Jim Douglas announced a new loan program that uses $1 million of the federal stimulus money to leverage $6 million in low-interest financing to help farmers.
The low-interest loans can be used to pay for seed, feed and fuel for the planting season.
The Vermont Economic Development Authority said loans are available immediately to help farmers now as they enter the spring planting season.
Are you looking for a low-interest farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus offers loans for your needs and works alongside government agencies to assist you. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding low-interest farm loans.
Tags: jim douglas, stimulus money, Vermont
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Friday, May 15th, 2009
President Barack Obama proposed the government use $1.25 billion to settle discrimination claims by black farmers against the USDA.
The proposal is included in the president’s budget request for 2010.
Black farmers have criticized Obama for neglecting the need of money to fund the claims from a decade ago.
Obama feels that the money would “close this chapter” in the USDA’s history and everyone can move past it.
“My hope is that the farmers and their families who were denied access to USDA loans and programs will be made whole and will have the chance to rebuild their lives and their businesses,” he said.
So far officials form the National Black Farmers Association are happy with the proposal and feel it is a step in the right direction. However, they feel $1.25 billion is not enough money to cover all the claims.
The claims include farmers suing the USDA for denying them government loans and assistance that white farmers have no issue obtaining. In 1999 the government settled most of the claims with nearly $1 billion in damages for 16,000 cases.
If you are in need of a farm loan contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate farm loans are available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: descrimination, obama, usda
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