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Archive for May, 2010
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Livestock producers are excited over numbers recorded by the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF). According to the group imports to Russia have increased from 800 to 1,200 metric tons per week.
“We think this is going to be a good year for exports to Russia,” USMEF Senior Vice President Thad Lively said. These large numbers to Russia have no been seen since 2008, which totaled $95.3 million for the livestock industry.
“This is an area we are very enthusiastic and excited about at this stage in the game,” Lively said. “We track the export sales on a weekly basis and qe’re off to a start this year that could put us on track to equal the export volume we had to Russia in 2008, which was a record year.”
Russia has played an important part in export sales in a variety of meat markets including beef liver and variety meats, but rarely in the beef market as it is now.
“With the exchange rate of the Russian currency to the Brazilian currency, Brazil’s our principal competitor in Russia, (makes the U.S.) very competitive in that market,” Lively said.
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Tags: Beef, cattle, exports, russia
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
For years consumers have been turning vegetarian in fear that consuming meat will increase global warming. However, air quality experts found that eating meat does not reduce global warming.
Cows and pigs are often blamed for contributing to global warming because of the gas they release, how much food they consume and the emissions created from producing meat.
“We certainly can reduce our greenhouse gas production, but not by consuming less meat and milk,” air quality expert, Frank Mitoloehner, said at the University of California-Davis said at a conference at the American Chemical Society in California.
Experts believe that the UN report “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” which first made the claims against meat is inaccurate and distracts people from making changes that will in fact help lower emissions. Mitoloehner admits that those not eating meat are well-intentioned, but the lack of consumption is also hurting the agriculture industry.
“Smarter animal farming, not less farming, will equal less heat,” Mitoloehner said. “Producing less meat and milk will only mean more hunger in poor countries.”
The United States’ biggest contributing factor to global warming is transportation which is attributed to 26 percent of all greenhouse gas emission, and raising cattle and pigs accounts for three percent.
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
As of May 1 farmers will earn eight cents more a gallon for milk according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Prices will then be increased to $1.33 per gallon, which is still lower than the cost to produce the milk in California. Butter, cheese and powdered milk prices will also increase in May, ultimately raising the price paid for milk as well. Analysts expect the demand for cheese to drop though which meals there is still no certain outlook for dairy producers.
While dairy producers struggle with prices, producers across the state are also looking for relief.
Going on the fourth year of drought-conditions, California producers are still dealing with tight water supplies in California.
Although the Sierra snowpack is at 130 percent average, the Department of Water Resources said the state has not recovered from three years of drought. Many storage areas in various reservoirs across the state still sit below average. Hydrologists believe the snow run off will just absorb into the dry ground. Water conservation is necessary by all California citizens.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.95% and terms up to 25 years. Visit our site for more information or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative
Tags: dairy, milk prices, usda
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Sonoma County is working to fight European grapevine moths.
A thousand acres in Sonoma Valley have been quarantined when three moths were found west of Calistoga. Investigators said the damage from the pest will not be known until May or June. The insect itself does not spread quickly by itself, but it moves with infected fruit and plants. It can also spread when farm equipment moves and the insect is attached to the equipment. The quarantine is intended to prevent any further infestations. Farmers are also fighting damages by applying fungicides to the vineyards.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is also researching citrus plants to find ways to fight a disease that is currently threatening a number of citrus plants across Florida and could make its way to California.
Researchers are working with periwinkle plants to find ways to fight HLB or citrus greening. Field trials are underway in California because although the disease has not been found, the insect that carries the disease has.
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Tags: moths, usda, vineyards
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The American Farm Bureau Federation said it stands behind the Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol Naturally (GREEN) Jobs Act of 2010. The legislation was recently introduced to Congress by senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kent Conrad (D. North Dakota). The GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 is another effort to move America towards energy independence.
Producers often plant crops for renewable energies because of government subsidies. This bill would extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit and the Small Ethanol Producers Tax Credit through 2015. It would otherwise expire this year. It also extends the Cellulosic Ethanol Production Tax Credit through 2015.
“Clean, renewable domestic energy will help American achieve long-term economic growth, create a cleaner environment and shield our economy from unreliable foreign energy sources,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “American farmers and ranchers are playing a bigger role in supplying our nation with the energy it needs through the production of agricultural-based, renewable energy resources. Tax incentives play a key role in the development and production of renewable energy.”
The extended incentives encourage diverse crops and price competition. The renewable energy industry appeared in the 1980s with the aid of tax credits and now produces over 10 billion gallons of fuel every year.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.95% and terms up to 25 years. Visit our website for more information or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: chuck grassley, farm bureau, kent conrad, renewable energy
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Exports are one of the most important sources of income for farmers in the United States. As crop production increases across the world, exports have been decreasing and putting a strain on the agriculture industry. However, the Chicago Trade Board reported on April 29 that China is looking to increase imports.
Currently China is the second-largest corn producing country in the world. China purchased 115,000 metric tons of corn from the United States so far and more sales are expected in the near future. This is the largest purchase since 2001 according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Corn production in China is expected to drop due to cold weather and excessive rain pushing behind the planting schedule.
According to business week corn for July delivery increased 0.8 percent up to $3.67 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade at 1:14 p.m. in London on April 28. Soybeans and wheat crops have also increased on the board for July deliveries.
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: china, corn, imports
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The annual “State of the Rockies” report was released by the Colorado College. This report looks at agriculture over the past years in the eight Rocky Mountain region states.
Liz Kolbe, program coordinator for State of the Rockies, said “I think one of the most interesting… was the increase of female operators over the past 20 years. Since 1987 there has been 257% increase in female farm operators.”
Out of the eight states, Idaho is the largest producer with an annual income of $70,000 per farm. The highest grossing counties in Idaho are Gooding, Cassia and Lincoln. According to the report potatoes are not the state’s biggest crop, even if they may be the most well-known. “Potatoes actually come in third for the highest earners in Idaho. Buhl actually has 549,000 milk cows, which is almost double the milk cows in any other state, and accounts for 36 percent of Idaho’s total agricultural receipt. We produce six percent of the nation’s total dairy,” Kolbe said.
Although Idaho produces the most, Utah and Nevada have the most irrigated farms.
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Tags: Liz Kolbe, statistics
Posted in Idaho Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The ownership of irrigation channels, such as lakes and rivers, is a constant debate across the country, especially as more and more states are being declared drought areas.
In Idaho, U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar (Democrat) is fighting to reverse to U.S. Supreme Court cases that are confusing and “handcuff” the protection of America’s waters.
Since 2007 Oberstar has been working to change the Clean Water Restoration Act to take the phrase “navigable waters” out. Navigable waters is water that can be used for commerce or travel falling under the commerce clause. After the EPA began regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, he fears other groups will try to rule waterways under the Clean Water Act.
Oberstar feels that this change will improve conditions for farmers, consumers and government officials. Existing exemptions (farm or stock ponds, irrigation ditches and artificially irrigated areas) will stay exempt as well.
“Simply put, if it was not regulated before 2001, it will not be regulated with the enactment of this legislation,” he explained via a press release.
The Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Water Users Association oppose the changes because they want a change that will help farmers, not keep a tight restriction like the one that currently exists.
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Tags: irrigation, James Oberstar
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers it is important to turn in their annual reports of acreage to their local FSA office to assure participation in FSA programs.
“Producers must file their reports accurately and timely for all crops and land uses, including prevented and failed acreage, to ensure they receive the maximum FSA program benefits possible,” USDA FSA Administrator Jonathan Coppess said.
These numbers are needed to not only help farmers receive any subsidies or loans they are eligible for, but to keep programs running. This include the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program and other new programs introduced in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Acreage should be turned in upon final crop reporting deadline, which is different in every state. Prevented acreage has to be reported within 15 calendar days of the final planting date. Producers should contact their local FSA office with any concerns.
Late-filed provisions are possible for producers who could not turn in acreage by the required date.
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.
Tags: FSA, usda
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Conservation is always a priority at the United States Department of Agriculture. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for a new program to protect, restore, enhance and manage habitats for wetland-dependent wildlife.
The Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program is a voluntary conservation program that works alongside tribes, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations to protect wildlife across the United States.
The NRCS is accepting proposals for projects, watershed-wide or larger geographic areas. All entries must be received by May 24 and must be turned into a local office. Proposals cannot be submited by fax, e-mail or the grants.gov Web site.
Funding can be used on agricultural or non-agricultural land for conservation purposes. Each entry will be evaluated on a personal basis and will be sent through a competitive process determined by the USDA.
More information is available at the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program’s Web site or the Natural Resources Conservation Services’ Web site.
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: Conservation, NRCS
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