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Archive for October, 2009
Friday, October 30th, 2009
Wisconsin officials are asking farmers to stop hoarding manure and to empty their storage units.
According to the University of Wisconsin Extension, spreading manure on farm fields can cost thousands of dollars every year. Experts believe that farmers are delaying emptying their storage tanks to save money in these hard times.
Environmental agencies are concerned that holding the manure could create major spills and runoff from these storage structures, ultimately polluting the water supply.
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: manure, university of wisconsin
Posted in Wisconsin Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009
The 2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators has found that farmers and ranchers with children are at increased risk of having medical debt.
The survey, conducted by officials of a U.S. health advocacy group The Access Project, surveyed more than 2,000 family farmers in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Not only will farmers and producers have more debt, but they are more like to have poorer health because they fall into the same category as the lower and moderate incomes and uninsured.
Keep in mind however that 60 percent of those farmers and producers with medical debt had less than $2,000. The advocate group said to keep in mind that those with medical debt are more likely to pay out-of-the-pocket costs for healthcare.
This news comes as lawmakers are pushing for universal health care in the country.
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: health, health insurance survey
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
Montana Senator Max Baucus announced the USDA is allowing Montana producers to apply for funding to help with the loss of livestock during this season’s drought and unpreventable health conditions.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) have been available since mid-September.
The ELAP is for producers who have loss livestock from disease, adverse weather or other unpreventable situations. The LFP is for producers who have lost grazing livestock from drought or fire.
“This assistance will be a huge help to Montana farmers and ranchers who have been affected by drought and other bad weather,†Baucus said. “One bad storm can wipe out a lifetime of work, and I want to make sure Montanans who have suffered devastating livestock losses will get the resources they need to move forward.â€
Those who are eligible can apply for losses dating back to 2008. For more information contact your local Farm Service Agency office.
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: loans, max baucus, montana, usda
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
California droughts aren’t new news. For years farmers have been facing these problems slowly cutting back more and more on their agriculture business. However less business means less money.
To help farmers deal with the economic pressures of droughts, the USDA has announced 50 of California’s 58 counties as natural disaster areas. This declaration means farmers who have suffered losses from the droughts can apply for low-rate loans through the government.
Although the loans help with the economic aspect, farmers are uncertain what will happen with the water supply. “It was an average waterfall year, and we received a 10 percent supply,” says S
arah Woolf with the Westlands Water District.
Lawmakers are trying to push a “Two Gates” program that would pump water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to areas across the state. However this project could cost up to $25 million.
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, drought, usda
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
Dean Foods Co. and the Dairy Farmers of America(DFA) have been slapped with a lawsuit from farmers who think the two companies have monopolized milk distribution in the Northeast.
The class-action law suit was filed on October 8 in the U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vermont. The DFA made a statement regarding the case. “It is disappointing that although Dairy Farmers of America activities in the Northeast have improved prices for cooperative members and independent producers alike, these charges are being brought against us.”
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: dairy, dean foods, Vermont
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
A federal judge in Colorado overturned the USDA’s approval of genetically engineered sugar beets that cause upset in Boulder County this year.
Judge Jeffrey White said the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service didn’t take a “hard look” into whether the sugar beets, that are engineered to resist weed killer, would share genes with other crops. He feels this violates environmental laws.
90 percent of this year’s crops are considered these “Roundup Ready” beets. Many consumers are concerned for the safety of eating these beets as well as the safety of eating other crops grown within its means.
The Food and Agriculture Policy Council took the concerns into their hands last December and have been researching the issue since. In August the county commissioners decided to wait to vote on the issue and are happy they did so.
“The judge’s ruling “makes me glad we didn’t make a decision on this,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said. “I would think that we want to let the courts and federal government sort through this before we make a decision on sugar beets.”
With new technology emerging genetically modified food is a growing concern for consumers.
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: colorado, round up, sugar beets
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
The USDA held its first meeting this week to hear what growers and shippers think about the new leafy greens safety plan that may go into effect.
The main concern the USDA has is deciding if there is enough interest in the leafy green industry to implement a voluntary national agreement similar to the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) that went into effect after the 2006 E.Coli outbreak from spinach.
The plan allows leafy green handlers to use a USDA-approved food safety seal if they follow certain practices. This would give consumers assurance that extra precautions have been made to grow safe leafy greens.
California is the first state to use the LGMA and 99 percent of farmers use the agreement.
So far the USDA has received 3,000 comments about the new plan and the greatest concern is that small growers may be at a disadvantage if it’s a one-size-fits all approach.
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: FSA, usda
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009
Minnesota businesses and farmers have been granted $3 million worth of loans available from the USDA.
The loans are part of a $62.5 million national loan campaign from the USDA for renewable energy projects and energy efficient projects. The program is allotted for 705 projects nationwide. The money is available through the Rural Energy for America Program.
“President Obama and I are committed to helping rural businesses become more energy efficient - it’s good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for the workers and customers who depend on the goods and services these businesses provide,†said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Loans in Minnesota were generally around $50,000. The largest grants were $250,000 and $598,857 to South Central Grain and energy in Hector.
Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. We have farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See or rate sheets here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.
Tags: minnesota, renewable energy, usda, wind farms
Posted in Minnesota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009
Pennsylvania farmers can apply for relief. Burlington, Camden and Gloucester county farmers can apply for low-interest federal loans to cover losses related to severe weather earlier this year.
Between June 1 and August 19 these counties have had 6.34 inches more than the average rainfall. They have also experienced hail storms and a tornado. The weather is to blame for the 27 percent reduction in wheat production.
“The low-interest loans and other available programs will provide needed assistance for these farmers, helping to ensure the continued health and well-being of our state’s agricultural industry,” said Gov. Corzine told local publications.
These loans can cover up to 100 percent of actual losses. For more information contact your local Farm Service Agency.
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: disaster loans, pennsylvania
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
Massachusetts farmers in 12 counties are now eligible for disaster relief loans.
Governor Deval Patrick announced that Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties as disaster areas following the summer’s abnormally cool and rainy weather.
The USDA has low-rate loans available for farmers affected by these disasters. Barnstable and Suffolk counties are contiguous disaster areas and are also eligible for assistance.
Each loan will be given out based on the farm’s application. The agency will consider the extent of losses, security available and repayment availability.
Need a loan? Farm Plus has rates as low as 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free at 866-929-5585.
Tags: Disaster reflief, Governor Deval Patrick, loans, massachusetts
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