Although soybeans are the most desired crop in the U.S. this season, they are at their lowest price this month and most of it is thanks to favorable weather this summer.
Nebraska is the fifth-biggest soybean-producer and found that pod counts are up 9.1 percent from last year. Experts say the crop is “unbelievable” and the weather is to thank.
Prices for soybeans dropped to its lowest of $9.405, its lowest since July 30. However, it made a recovery to $9.58 a bundle.
Soybeans are the second-biggest crop bringing in $27.4 billion annually. Act now to join the booming industry.
Need a low-rate farm loan to help give your business a boost? Contact Farm Plus today! Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative or visit our website for more information.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service released its annual survey of cantaloupe statistics.
The survey includes 41 charts of information dating back to 1947, and touched on acreage, yields, production, price, value, supply, disappearance, per capita usage, exports, imports, arrivals, chemical use and more.
One set of data said cantaloupe numbers have increased over the past five decades from 1.3 billion pounds in 1960 to 2.9 billion pounds in 2009. Imports have increased from 79 million pounds in 1960 to 945 million pounds in 2009.
Most importantly, the consumption of American grown cantaloupe has increased. In 1960 only 6 percent of cantaloupes eaten were domestic, but today the number has grown to 34 percent.
These growing numbers are promising for cantaloupe producers or farmers looking to explore other crops. If you are in need of a loan to further your farming business, contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate loans are available for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.
“Manure Use for Fertilizer and Energy,” a report published by the USDA says that manure can be used to produce energy commercially on farms without competing withthe supply needed for fertilizer.
The manure-to-energy interest is growing, but the actual implementation of the plan is not common in the United States. Most producers use anaerobic digestion and combustion to caputre carbon dioxide and methane for electricity generation according to the report. This is mostly done on hog and dairy farms.
Combustion is most beneficial to fuel large power plants with cattle manure and poultry litter that have high energy and low moisture content. Only one exists today using turkey litter.
Biomass Magazine said, ” Using manure for energy won’t impose substantial constraints on manure for fertilizer supplies, the report says, because the technologies do not consume the nutrients that are beneficial for plant growth. In anaerobic digestion, the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium remain in the effluent to be spread on fields. Digestion also eliminates odors and nearly eliminates pathogens, according to the report. Combustion plants burn nitrogen nutrients, but leave the phosphorous and potassium in concentrated form in the ash residues. In addition, manure-to-energy projects function in markets for fertilizer and energy and will be most economical in those areas where acquisition costs of manure are lowest, the report says. In turn, manure costs will be lowest where manure is in excess supply.
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Farmers are getting ready to plant for fall and the University of Nebraska said planting two or three weeks early can make the difference between having a “bumper” or “complete disaster.”
The West Central Research and Extension Center have found a different as much as 40 bushels (less) per acre when planted on Sept. 2 instead of Sept. 25, the recommended date.
Researchers also recommend using certified, treated seed varieties that are best for your local area. Planting early also prevents diseases like wheat streak mosaic and crown root rot that develop before the weather cools. So it is important to avoid planting at the very end of summer and early fall. Winter injury to crops are more likely to happen when the wheat is planted early causing the soil to dry out.
If you have no choice but to plant early, be sure to cover the wheat as much as possible so winds do not blow the dirt away.
Are you in the market for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today. Low-rate loans are available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information on farm loans.
In January it was reported that farm values have dropped 3.2 percent, the most since 1987. However, in Kentucky, farmers are in luck.
Acreage in Kentucky is $750 higher than the rest of the country according to the report published by the USDA. This means producers are averaging $2,850 per acre.
After looking at the overall value of acreage in Kentucky, land is further broken down in to cropland and pastureland. Both types of land fell, but pastureland took the biggest hit faling 5.8 percent. Cropland on the other hand rose 1.6 percent.
The report also said that cash rents for cropland in Kentucky rose $10 an acre to $88, but this number is $2 less than the rest of the country.
Although land value is dwindling, now is the perfect time to invest. The market may no look promising, but land is cheap and loan rates are low as well. Looking for a farm or ranch loan? Look no further! Contact Farm Plus today at 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.
3 million acres of farmland are being taken out of the federal conservation program and may be tilled. The change has many environmentalists concerned about wildlife habitat, water quality and soil erosion.
39 million acres of farmland across the country are protected by the Conservation Reserve Program, but 3.4 million acres were taken out in September. The removal stems from present owners’ not renewing their contracts.
A change in the 2008 Farm Bill also caused the removal because the bill caps the program at 32 million acres.
Most of these acres are located in Texas, Kansas and Colorado. North and South Dakota, as well as Montana are also effected.
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The National Pork Producers council (NPPC) asked the government to purchase $50 million of pork products for government assisted programs.
The USDA Undersecretary Michael Scuse said the USDA will decide by the end of November whether the government plans to take action or not.
Since September 2009 hog producers have lost $23 per hog marketed and according to the NPPC president, things are not going to get better.
“The department continues to evaluate pork market conditions and, if justified, (USDA) will initiate additional surplus removal purchases this fiscal year,” Scuse said.
During fiscal 2009 the USDA spent $164.6 million on 100 million pounds of pork for donations to food banks.
Many producers said they feel high feed costs are the reason for the current slump in the hog industry. Other factors include the H1N1 scare and lost of U.S. exports.
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According to the latest American Wind Energy Association survey, Iowa is still one of the leading states in electrical power from wind.
Iowa is the second largest wind-power producing state in the United States. The survey shows that Iowa produces 3,053 megawatts, right behind Texas with 8,797 megawatts.California is the third largest producer with 2,787 megawatts.
In 2009 Iowa has added new farms in Adair, Story and Pottawattamie counties. This increased the state’s megawatts by 300.
Dennis Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, said the interest and growth of wind energy has increased over the past year with a number of government incentives.
“The number of wind power-generating turbines installed in Iowa has increased this past year, which is good for the state,” says Bode. “The U.S. now has a total wind power generating capacity of 31,000 megawatts.”
Top five states for wind power Output in megawatts:
Texas 8,797
Iowa 3,053
California 2,787
Minnesota 1,805
Oregon 1,659
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President Obama signed a bill in October that provides $290 million for dairy farmers across the United States, and $60 million will buy excess dairy supply to go to food banks and nutrition programs.
Although there is extra money, many wonder if it will help in the end.
On average, every time a farmer milks a cow he or she is losing money. According to the NDSU Extension Service, each farmers loses $1,000 per cow. The problem is that there is so much milk available on the market that there is too much competition. However, more importantly less people are buying milk.
This isn’t just happening in the dairy industry, it is happening across all fields of agriculture.
Farmers look forward to the payment, but they recognize it is not enough to make much of a difference.
“In a dairy like this it won`t even make up two to three weeks for our lost income so far,” North Dakota farmer, Mark Doll said. “It`s some help but it`s not going to get us back to where we need to be.”
Farmers are optimistic that in time the industry will pick back up.
There is no word on how much money each producer will receive, but the amount will be based on the size of the operation.
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.
The Kentucky Farm Bureau has introduced a new program aimed to promote large animal veterinarians.
The Kentucky Large/Food Animal Veterinary Incentive Program is accepting applications for large/food animal veterinarians.
The program pays $6,000 a year of outstanding loans aside from salaries. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists are all eligible.
“This program is important to Kentucky’s animal agriculture industry and our food supply,†Commissioner Farmer said. “Veterinarians are leaving large animal practices faster than they can be replaced. Livestock account for about $3 billion a year in farm cash receipts, so it’s important to Kentucky’s economy that we have enough veterinarians to serve the large food animal industry.â€
Those who are eligible must apply two years upon graduation and preference is given to Kentucky residents. Applicants must apply through the Kentucky Farm Bureau in Louisville and must be postmarked by December 1. Download an application here.
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.
