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Archive for September, 2009
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
California’s Assembly Bill 856 has been sent back for review. The bill increases penalties for violations of organic fertilizer standards, expands the state regulator’s inspection authority and raises fees for enforcement by $416,000 annually.
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) introduced the bill following a number of violations across the country. One major factor was the now famous case, “The Bee Investigation” that found a Salinas-area farm was selling “organic fertilizer” that was topped with nitrogen. This practice is banned in organic farming, not because it is harmful, but because it is generated by creating a lot of energy. Although the practice is highly against organic standards, California Liquid Fertilizer was forced to pull the product and was not penalized.
Government officials feel penalties would prevent this from happening again. In February the Department of Food and Agriculture supported AB 856 that changed the standards for organic fertilizers. This issue is important in California because 60 percent of organic acres are in California.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: Anna Caballero, california, organic
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Massachusetts governor Deval L. Patrick is asking for government help after a cool, wet summer that left farmers and producers’ crops in limbo.
Patrick wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for low-interest loans up to $500,000 for any farmers affected by the weather problems. In the letter Patrick asked for loans “due to excessive moisture, flooding, hail and cool temperatures.”
To date Massachusetts has experienced losses from 30 to 100 percent from disease or poor weather. Strawberry, tobacco, potato, yellow corn and tomato crops have been greatly damaged.
If disaster is declared, farmers who suffered at least 30 percent loss will be eligible.
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan with Farm Plus before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: disaster, massachusetts, Tom Vislack
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Thursday, September 24th, 2009
A heated debate is on- should cows, chickens and pigs have altered DNA to avoid pain upon slaughter?
Adam Shriver of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri believes the answer is yes. London’s prestigious telegraph reported that Shriver said, “If we can’t do away with factory farming, we should at least take steps to minimise the amount of suffering that is caused. I’m offering a solution where you could still eat meat but avoid animal suffering.”
At this point researchers have found when a mouse is lacking a particular gene it is less sensitive to pressure and heat. It is believed that further advancements could switch off pain receptors of farm animals to make their deaths seem more humane.
However, many critics claim that this practice is unethical because animals could expose themselves to more physical danger without this feeling.
Interested in lowering your farm loan rate? Farm loan rates starting at 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
Tags: Adam Shriver, Animal suffering, Washington University
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Thursday, September 24th, 2009
According to the USDA Crop Production report, this year’s Indiana state corn crop will be a record breaker. The crop will not only be large in production, but also high in average of bushels per acre.
The USDA took ear counts in August, but the numbers are not released state-by-state. So far the USDA predicts the ear count is about 27,600.
“That’s huge, that’s the largest we’ve ever had,” Joe Prusacki, director of Statistics for USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service “We expected, based on current technology trends and what farmers are doing, about 250 more ears per acre this year than last year just based on typical trends.”
Prusacki added that Illinois and Indiana have suffered from late planting seasons and although they are generally the leaders in ear counts, their numbers are about the same as last year.
The estimates will be confirmed in September’s report.
Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.
Tags: indiana, usda
Posted in General, Indiana Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Many factors have threatened crops this season and one is lurking onto California citrus crops.
An Asian citrus psyllid was found in a trap of a California homeowner’s citrus tree in Echo Park. This species can potentially carry a fatal citrus disease. Producers in the $1.6 billion citrus industry have many concerns.
“This pest can travel, and it can do so quickly and easily,” said Ted Batkin, president of the California-based Citrus Research Board. The pest can carry a disease that is the biggest threat in the modern history of the citrus industry.
Fortunatley the psyllids testing negative for huanglongbing, the citrus greening disease. This disease not only spoils the fruit, but it kills the tree as well.
The pest was first found in America in 1998 when Florida’s citrus industry was destroyed. It also made a comeback in 2005.
“We’re about as concerned as we can be,” Batkin said.
Officials are working to fight the pest and keep California free of its wrath.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: california, citrus, citrus disease
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is putting together a group of industry representatives to review and recommend policies and procedures for volatile milk prices and profitability.
Those interested in the committee must be nominated and will be placed in the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee.
“The Obama administration is committed to working with all sectors of the dairy industry to develop changes to the dairy pricing system to avoid the boom and bust cycle behind the crisis facing many dairy farmers this year,†Vilsack said. “The input provided by the members of this committee will play an important role in building a more stable market for dairy producers in years to comeâ€
The committee will have 15 representatives from different backgrounds including producers, processors, handlers, academia, consumers, retailers and state agencies. Vilsack would like both organic and non-organic producers involved.
The committee members will elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson who will each serve a two-year term. Brandon Willis, deputy administrator of the Farm Service Agency’s Farm Programs, will serve as the committee’s executive secretary.
Nominations are due by September 29 to:
c/o Judith Lindsay, secretary to Brandon Willis, deputy administrator
Farm Service Agency
Farm Programs
USDA Room 3612-S, Stop 0501
Washington, D.C. 20250-0501
Fax: (202) 720-4726
judith.lindsay@wdc.usda.gov
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years at Farm Plus. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.â€
Tags: dairy, dairy advisory committee
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Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Watermelon producers have a new form of renewable energy on their hands- watermelons.
A recent study conducted by the Biotechnology for Bio-fuels found that watermelon juice can be used to produce the bio-fuel ethanol.
Every year 20 percent of the watermelon crops cannot be sold because they have bad spots, weird shapes or other imperfections. Generally these bad melons are dug back into the ground. However, the juice can be fermented and used directly as fuel or as a “diluent, supplemental feedstock and nitrogen supplement” alongside other bio-fuel crops.
“Bad” watermelons can also be used to produce neutraceuticals lycopene (important to prostrate health) and L-arginine (an amino acid needed to produce nitric oxide). After producing these, the juice can be used for ethanol production.
The report said: “The results of this investigation indicate that watermelon juice as a source of readily fermentable sugars represents a heretofore untapped feedstock for ethanol bio-fuel production. The 8.4 t/ha of unmarketable watermelons left in the field at harvest would produce about 220 L/ha of ethanol for on-farm use or as an additional revenue stream for the grower.”
Interested in making an addition to your crops? Farm loan rates starting at 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-92-5585.
Tags: biofuel, renewable energy, watermelon
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