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Archive for February, 2010
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The USDA released its first report on organic fruits and vegetables. The report found that the U.S. accounted for 216,000 acres of organic produce in 2008, resulting in $1.19 billion in sales.
The Organic Production Survey used data from the Census Bureau to generate nation and state-level data as well as information on organic farm numbers and acreage, sales and production.
14,000 U.S. farms grew organic agriculture products in 2008. 3,948 of these grew vegetables while 3,279 grew non-berry fruits and tree nuts. Berries were grown on 1,596 farms.
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: organic, rankings, usda
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Although the Obama Administration has announced plans to increase biofuel production, the American Farm Bureau does not currently take sides on the matter.
Bob Stallman, president of the AFBF released a statement explaining that farmers and ranchers are encouraged to help keep renewable energy fuel standards on a path towards greatness. This will be done by increasing the volume of biofuels available for the nation’s transportation fuel supply.
Stallman said, “We will be analyzing the rule in its entirety, but we are optimistic about the overall direction of support it offers renewable fuels.”
The AFBF’s biggest concert is the indirect land use. “Continuing to utilize indirect land use changes to calculate greenhouse gas emissions is unfair to domestic biofuel,” he said. “We will continue our efforts with policymakers on both sides of the aisle and in the administration to assure that biofuels live up to their enormous potential.”
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: biofuel, obama, usda
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The Obama Administration announced a new plan to boost the production of biofuels that will result in a $13 billion growth in farm income.
The USDA released a report that envisions different types of feedstocks (switchgrass, sugar cane and oil seed for example) to be grown in specific areas to create 36 billion gallons of biofuel annually. This would triple current production.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the increase would create thousands of green jobs across the country. It would also help the United States achieve energy independence.
Farmers interested in growing crops for biofuel may be eligible for funding from the 2008 Farm Bill that distributes guaranteed payments to farmers and landowners for collection, harvest and transportation of biomass to a qualified biomass conversion facility.
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: biofuel, obama, usda
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
After months of complaints from farmers and ranchers, the USDA’s proposed livestock identification program has been thrown out. The Obama administration killed the program in lieu of a program that requires any cattle, hogs or poultry that crosses any state lines to be tracked.
The USDA said that livestock tend to spend their entire life in one state even if their meat is distributed world wide.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said following a number of public hearings there is a need for some sort of tracking system. Many industry officials agree as long as producers’ interests are taken into account.
The government has been pushing for an ID system since the 2003 Mad Cow Disease epidemic.
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: tracking program, usda
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested a proposal from Senator John Thune (South Dakota) covering the two phases of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
The program is a part of the 2008 Farm Bill that makes payments to producers for nonfood crops (i.e. prairie grass) that is used for energy production.
The first phase pays producers to cover the cost of production and storage. The second phase pays farmers to grow crops near biorefineries.
Producers and industry officials have two months to make comments on the proposal.
Thune is supporting the bill because he feels biofuel is one of the first steps in the United States’ energy independence.
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: Biomass, crop assistance
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture released its annual survey of organic production. Minnesota graced the top ten with $69 million in sales.
Overall America had $3.16 billion in organic sales in 2008 and Minnesota was the seventh highest contributor.
The state was the top state for organic soybeans. It was also the third for barley, oats and corn.
In 2008 Minnesota had 550 organic farms, 84 which converted that year. The top state was California with 2,000 farms.
Interested in making the transition to organic but fear the costs? Need money for extra supplies or growth? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate farm loans. See our rate sheet here or call us at 866-929-5585 for more information.
Tags: minnesota, organic ranking
Posted in Minnesota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Gresham, Oregon will be the location of the United States’ largest ground-mounted solar farm.
REC Solar, a design-build solar firm, has teamed up with Sun Edison, the largest solar power distributor, to create the farm.
Upon completion the solar farm will produce 460,000 kilowatts a year. That is enough energy to provide 40-46 American homes with clean, “green” energy.
REC Solar has designed 13 other locations including one in nearby Portland.
The project is funded by the Energy Trust of Oregon.
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: oregon, renewable energy, solar
Posted in General, Oregon farm loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Colorado organic producers contributed to $70.2 million of organic sales in 2008 according to a survey by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA reported that Colorado had 220 organic farms in 2008. 34 percent of these farms have been in operation for less than ten years.
Farms counted in the survey were those with organic certification and those that follow certification production but do not make enough money to be certified (less than $5,000 annually).
A farm is organic if it does not use pesticides, petroleum, sewage sludge-based fertilizers, herbicides, genetic engineering, antibiotics, growth hormones or irradiation.
Animals on organic farms must be fed organic feed and have access to the outdoors.
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: colorado, organic farms, usda
Posted in Colorado farm loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Although the nation has seen a decline in wool production, Wisconsin farmers have seen a seven percent increase.
The USDA reported that Wisconsin farmers were responsible for 470,000 pounds of wool. This is one to two percent of the nation’s overall output.
This is more than 2008, but not quite as much as the 510,000 pounds produced in 2007.
Officials say the increase is most likely due to the 5,000 more sheep reported by farmers. As of January 1 producers across Wisconsin have 90,000 sheep.
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: wisconsin, wool
Posted in Wisconsin Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Soybean and corn producers watched as high prices took a quick dive to the deep end.
At the beginning of January 2010 producers were receiving an impressive $4.28 per bushel of corn and $10.68 for soybeans. However, the last day of January the Chicago Board of Trade reported a large dip in numbers. Corn fell to $3.57 a bushel and soybeans were at $9.14.
Producers who have these crops in storage can expect to wait until summer for prices to increase.
Not everyone is suffering from the dip. Livestock producers can breathe a sigh of relief because this means that feed prices have dropped.
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: commodities, corn, soybeans
Posted in General | No Comments »
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