California producers can expect water shortages again this upcoming Spring and Summer. Despite the normal snow fall and precipitation over the winter, it is not enough to bring the state out of its current drought conditions.
Southland cities, such as Los Angeles, will be put on water rationing because the water levels are only at 40 percent of full allocation. Although the numbers are not finalized, officials expect little change when the total numbers are announced in May.
“The impression seems to be that the drought has been broken,” said Water Resources Director Mark Cowin told the Los Angeles times. But “clearly we’re going to have water shortages this year. We all need to conserve water.”
Normally Shasta Lake, in Northern California, is at 104 percent for April. However, it is currently only at 60 percent which is much lower than last spring. This is the lake that provides irrigation for most of California’s farms.
Farm loan rates starting at 2.95%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering low-rate farm loans for building or upgrading farm storage and handling facilities. The Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) is part of the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
Those looking to build storage for : corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, barley, oil seeds, pulse crops, renewable biomass, hay and fruits and vegetables (cold storage facilities).
Farm loans are available up to $500,000 and participants must put down at 15 percent and the CCC provides the remaining 85 percent for the total cost of the project. Farm loans are available for 7, 10 or 12 years depending on the total amount of the loan. As of April 2010 the rate is 3.125 percent.
The USDA advises producers to wait for farm loan approval before building the storage facilities just in case the application is denied.
For more information visit the Farm Service Agency’s Website or visit your local Farm Service Agency office.
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.
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued the annual wind industry market report for 2009 last week.
Oregon is now one of the leaders in wind energy. The addition of a wind farm on the west coast pushed the state above Minnesota, one of the leading states.
Currently Oregon sits at the fifth largest producer of wind energy. Over 2009 the country 5,700 new turbines which is enough power for 2.4 million homes. The survey also found that 1.9 percent of the nation’s electricity comes from wind power.
Texas, Iowa, California, Washington and Oregon are the top wind energy-producing states.
Industry experts believe that wind power will grow even more this year with renewable energy standards going into effect in various states. 29 states already have such mandates. Turbines are mostly found on the Pacific Coast and in the Midwest according to the report.
Government subsidies are available for renewable energy additions. For more information visit your local Farm Service Agency office.
Looking to refinance before rates rise? Farm Plus has low-rate loans starting at only 2.95%! Lock in today before the national rates rise. Call 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.
The United States Department of Agriculture reported that California farmers are expected to plant 100,000 acres of Upland cotton. This is a 41 percent increase from 2009.
The increase shows that the cotton crop, which has been nearly scarce across California in recent years, are making a comeback. This is a trend found across many parts of the country.
California farmers are also expected to plant 165,000 acres of American Pima cotton, a 39 percent increase from last year.
In Fresno County 69,800 acres of cotton was harvested in 2008 totaling $117.7 million.
These numbers come from the USDA’s annual report that farmers use as a guide for picking and planting crops. Although the numbers are not exact, they are a rough guess as to what farmers can expect. The numbers will increase and decrease as farmers report their actual yields to the USDA.
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.
The European grapevine moth is causing great damage to vineyard crops across Napa Valley.
Producers have managed to quarantine the species in Napa Valley, but are fearful for those in the nearby San Joaquin Valley. California’s agriculture is nearly dependent on the $220 million grape crop. The moth could do major damage to the overall crop production in the state.
The European grapevine moth appeared in Napa last year during harvest putting all producers in a panic. Paul Verdegaal, University of California Farm Advisor, told KCRA news, “The problem with any introduced or invasive species like this is, when they arrive someplace like this, is the usual predators and parasites that attack them in their home territories aren’t located here, so it has free reign for awhile.”
A number of producers have run into a problem of destroying and trapping the pest because the fields are organic and cannot use pesticides.
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.
Farmers requested an emergency lift of water pumping restrictions on California’s delta in fear of killing chinook salmon. However, U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger declined the request on March 31.
Starting that night the regulators will cut back the amount of water that is pumped through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The restrictors were used to protect endangered steelhead and salmon from swimming into the Pacific Ocean. Farmers feel this causes dramatic crop losses.
The San Joaquin Valley is where the majority of America’s fruits and vegetables are grown. Over the past three years the California drought has caused many crop losses and this water could help with some of the problems caused by the drought including economic problems.
Biologists developed the plan to help the salmon that have been on the nation’s endangered list for the past two years. Since the plan’s development farmers have been fighting the notion. The restrictions are a frequent debate among environmentalists, farmers and government officials.
Farm loan rates starting at 2.95%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
Weld County (Colorado) will soon be the home of a wind farm boasting 364 turbines.
The large farm is expected to generate 300 megawatts of electricity which can power about 90,000 homes. BP Wind Energy owns the facilities in Weld County which currently has 273 turbines, but the company is planning on adding 127 more. The entire farm will take up over 30,000 acres of land.
Construction, consisting of over 250 workers, will begin by the start of summer and company will be adding 12 to 14 jobs to the current operation.
The expansion was approved at the beginning of March by Weld County’s by the county planning commission, but still needs approval from the County commissioners.
Wind farms are growing in popularity across the country thanks to President Obama’s push for renewable energy. The government offers a number of subsidies to farmers who make the eco-friendly decision to add wind turbines to their farms.
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.
The Idaho Farm Bureau is reminding farmers and producers that any potato seeds purchased for intended sales or distribution upon growth must be inspected and certified under the Idaho Seed Potato Law of 1996.
A number of agencies are eligible to certify these seeds and crops including the Idaho Crop Improvement Association. The certification assures that crops will be pure and healthy, leaving a good name for Idaho’s famous potatoes. Without inspection potato plants can be plagued with diseases which can be passed through potato tubers. Farmers should not use potatoes found in the super market for seeds because they are often infected and can prevent sprouting.
The certification goes beyond the seeds and crops, but to the cleanliness and efficiency of the farms as well. This helps assure that future crops will also be of the highest quality.
Anyone who violates this law can be fined as much of $10 per hundredweight of the potatoes in violation.
Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.95% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free 866-929-5585.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed a letter he received from a number of consumer and U.S. farm advocate organizations asking that the USDA tighten the standards for animals and beef products imported from Canada. A letter cites a variety of slip-ups and breaches of manufacturing controls that could greatly effect the export industry across the United States.
The biggest concern follows the 18th case of mad cow disease (spongiform encephalopathy) in February. The issue is not only relevant to the beef industry, but dairy industry as well. Many dairy organizations have joined the fight for stricter restrictions as well.
The letter was sent by the American Agriculture Movement, the National Farmers Organization, R-CALF USA, the National Family Farm Coalition and other advocate groups. The letter states, “Above all other considerations, the health and safety of the people of the United States and United States’ livestock must come first – first before trade and first before international relations.”
One of the biggest changes the groups want is to ban the imports of animals over 30 months old. This is the group that is at most danger of being diseased. “Canada’s detection of 11 BSE-positive cattle born after March 1, 1999, cannot be considered isolated. It’s epidemiologically significant, and it does contribute to the spread of BSE,” the letter read.
No decision has been made, but the entire letter can be read here.
Farm loan rates starting at 2.95%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
Idaho farmers are now planning their seasons based off the USDA’s annual estimates for the upcoming growing season.
Every year the USDA releases a report of what the USDA thinks farmers are planning for the up-and-coming season. Although farmers were expecting higher numbers for Idaho, it works as a guide of what to plant, how much and how to market the crops.
“In a market based economy it’s supply and demand that set price and so one of the first things you need is an estimate of what the supply is going to be,” explained Paul Patterson, an Agricultural Economist at University of Idaho told KDIK.
The study focuses mostly on grains and corn, but a number of other crops are predicted as well.
The numbers will change over the season, especially once farmers start reporting back to the USDA. However, it is the ideal guide for farmers across 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.
