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Archive for May, 2010
Friday, May 21st, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with crop insurance companies to negotiate a new deal after a year of big profits in 2009.
The government wants to spend less of taxpayers money on crop insurance. Crop insurance helps farmers pay for failed crops and crop losses. It also provides credit to producers for spring planting. Farmers pay premiums and government subsidies pay for the rest. Last year crop insurance agencies paid out $3.8 million to producers across America.
“The federal crop insurance program is an important part of the farm safety net, but costs have escalated to an unsustainable level and we need to take steps to protect tax payers,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack explained.
The USDA proposed cutting $8.4 billion over the next 10 years from crop insurance subsidies. However, the proposal was revised to $6.9 billion. The third draft is expected in early May according to the USDA’s Risk Management Agency.
A survey conducted by the USDA Risk Management Agency found that last year’s profits were the second highest in crop insurance’s 21 year history. According to the survey, many companies are earning double for most claims and the USDA wants to protect taxpayers from paying more than necessary for crop losses while keeping farmers’ income afloat.
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Tags: crops, usda, vilsack
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Rural communities in 21 states will be awarded guaranteed loans from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve electricity according to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Funding for these products come from the Rural Utilities Service Electric Program from the USDA Rural Development. The money will build 2,405 miles fo new distribution lines and upgrade over 1,822 miles of existing lines. The goal of the guaranteed rural loans is to improve living conditions for residents of rural communities.
Public Utility District No. 1 in Mason County, Washington is one of the many public works receiving guaranteed loans from the USDA. The 48,555,000 loan will provide service to 420 new customers, adding 14 miles of new distribution lines. It will also add two miles of transmission lines and improve four miles of existing distribution lines.
Improved electricity lines provide additional jobs for locals and better living and business conditions for farmers. Farmers will have additional resources for such things as storage and equipment.
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Tags: usda, vilsack, washington
Posted in Washinton Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Consumers want organic meat because it is better for the environment and offers a number of additional health benefits. However, many consumers assume organic meat means the animals are grass fed, but this isn’t always the case.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Organic Program is working with consumers and producers to make new standards so consumers know exactly where their organic meat comes from.
The Cornucopia Institute surveyed organic meat producers to help the USDA understand producers’ practices. The survey found that producers allow the cattle to graze on organic certified land until slaughter. Rarely do producers confine the animals to feed lots as most consumers assume. 60 percent of producers feed 100 percent of their animals with solely grass feed, while 20 percent of producers feed the cattle grain.
Consumers don’t understand that organic does not necessarily mean that the animals are grass-fed, therefore the USDA is proposing an inspection system that labels meat “organic- grain finished,” “organic- pasture/grain finished” or “organic- 100% grass fed.”
More and more consumers want to know where their food comes from, so organic beef is a growing interest with consumers.
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Tags: labeling system, usda
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that corn, wheat and cotton crops are ahead of schedule for this planting season.
According to reports obtain from farmers across the country, 50 percent of the corn crops are seeded compared to the 19 percent in early April. On average 22 percent of corn crops are planted at the end of April annually. Seven percent of the plants have already emerged from the ground as well. The numbers show the fastest pace of crop planted on record.
Sorghum is also ahead of schedule with 25 percent of the seeding complete compared to early April’s 23 percent. Oats is 75 percent compared to the 60 percent annual average as well.
Cotton growers are ahead of the expected schedule with 16 percent of crops planted, although this is below the average 18 percent.
On average spring wheat producers have 27 percent of the seeding complete, but so far this year 43 percent is planted.
Wheat, cotton and corn are some of the biggest crops in the country. Corn crops brought in $48.6 billion in 2009, the largest crop of the 2009 harvest.
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Tags: corn, usda
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is working to improve living conditions in rural America.
Rural America counts for 20 percent of the country’s population and has the highest unemployment and poverty rate in the country.
Although exports are increasing and there is more help for farmers, profits aren’t increasing and many farmers are looking for additional jobs or income to support their families.
Vilsack noted that broadband, biotech and biofuels are important to economic growth in these areas because they not only bring in money to farms, but will also create more jobs for locals.
The USDA is meeting with legislatures to discuss the 2012 Farm Bill. Farm Bills are written by Congress to help with the nutrition, rural development, land stewardship, agricultural research and crop subsidies for American producers. One major change is a suggestion by the Obama administration to reduce payments to the largest farmers.
Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau, said the bureau is not for or against the suggestions made by Vilsack, but must first sit down and talk everything out thoroughly.
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Tags: Bob Stallman, farm bill, Vislack
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a survey to further explore results from the 2007 Census of Agriculture.
According to the census 20,000 farms and ranches said they produce their own energy. The On-Farm Energy Production Survey will not only confirm this information, but further explore what type of energy farms and ranches are producing and how much.
“Given the growing national interest in energy efficiency, this survey is especially timely,” Stephen Ropel, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service New York Field Office director said. “The results will provide agricultural producers, policy makers and the public with factual data about the economic and environmental implications of on-farm energy production.”
The USDA is interested in the use of win turbines, solar panels and anaerobic digesters.
“This is a chance for farmers and ranchers to demonstrate the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the sustainability of our new land, water and air resources,” Ropel said.
Farmers and ranchers have until May 24 to respond to the survey that will be published in February 2011.
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Tags: renewable energy, solar
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
After a year of hardships, farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley are optimistic for the future. The valley is California’s largest farming area, producing everything from nuts and dairy to wine.
From 2000 to 2008 agriculture income doubled to $7.6 billion in the valley. With the recession in full swing the biggest change seen was dairy prices. “Agriculture is the engine that can drive an economic recovery in California,” said Farm Bureau president Paul Wagner. Although prices dipped in 2009 economists expect prices to recover in 2010. Graduates in the area are having no problem finding jobs in the agricultural industry or related fields.
San Joaquin Valley is a good location for farming because the weather is warm and dry from spring to fall, which is ideal weather for growing a variety of crops. Farmers face hardships in the area such as water restrictions, animal rights activists and rising environmental improvement costs to lower pollution and improve air quality. Despite these problems producers continue to put money back into California’s economy by supplying jobs and purchasing seed and equipment from other companies across the state.
As economic conditions improve, San Joaquin Valley is expected to grow even more with farms, ranches and wineries.
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Tags: california, recovery, san joaquin valley
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Biotech crops have always received bad press because the food is deemed unnatural and harmful to people and the environment. However, a recent report released by the National Research Center suggests biotech crops have both economical and environmental benefits.
Economically farmers note a better yield with fewer pest problems while using biotech crops (that are genetically engineered). Not only do farmers save money because insecticides and herbicides aren’t needed, but it’s safer for the environment as well. Herbicides and insecticides run of the crops into waterways causing pollution. These farmers are also less likely to practice conservation tillage, sot here is better soil quality and less erosion.
The only problem with genetically engineered crops is it is causing weeds to become resistant to Roundup. This is bred into crops like soybeans and corn across the country. Researchers and government agencies have already started looking into finding an answer to the problem.
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Tags: biotech, crops
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Colorado is looking to tighten it’s inspections of certified organic product.
The Colorado House passed a bill (61-0 vote) that adds additional inspectors to the state’s Organic Certification Program. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins) and Sen. Mary Hodge (D-Brighton).
Fischer said in a press release, “Farming and eating organic foods is a lifestyle that’s here to stay. In fact, it’s an industry that continues to grow.†He adds that Colorado must take responsibility for its booming industry to assure consumers are getting the best organic products possible.
Under the bill commissioners can now contract independent inspectors to conduct inspections or organic product handlers.
The bill also added three members to the Organic Certification Advisory Board increasing from nine to twelve members.
Colorado is not the only state making changes. Across the country more and more farmers are seeking organic certification with the ever-growing demand. Interested in becoming certified? 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: certification program, colorado, organic
Posted in Colorado farm loans, General | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed five dozen bills last week, five highly important to producers across the state.
Ritter signed the SB 27 which allows officials to fine violators who illegally divert surface water $500. The same system is used for those who illegally divert ground water and caused violations to decrease and violation problems to be resolved quicker. With droughts across the country it is important that water is used as assigned and no one steals water from others.
Agricultural arson was illegal in Colorado until last week. Controlled agricultural burns are now legal under the HB 1123 law. The law states that those who start fires “in a reasonably cautious manner and there was no personal injury as a result,†cannot be fined.
HB 1107 was also signed which states that agricultural land is to be included under the URA for fair market value assessment instead of lower production value to determine the tax money given to the area for such thinks as schools and local governments.
A Farm-to-School Inter-agency Task Force is part of the SB 81 signed by Ritter. This creates a 13-person task force that works to bring local product into school cafeterias. The task force will not only provide students with healthier dining, but more income for producers in the area as well.
Finally legislators in Colorado are awaiting the signature on The Colorado Seed Potato Act. This act is much like the act in Idaho that requires potato seeds to be inspected by a committee before being planted for resale. “If we don’t put something like this through, Idaho is knocking on our back door,†Bob Mattive, a representative of the Colorado Seed Potato Growers Association said. Ritter is expected to sign the bill in the upcoming weeks.
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Tags: ag bill, ritter
Posted in Colorado farm loans, General | No Comments »
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