USERNAME:
PASSWORD:

Archive for July, 2010

Stricter Standars Expected to Lower Food Bourne Illnesses

Friday, July 16th, 2010

The United States Department of Agriculture has made a plan that puts stricter standards on poultry production and transportation to lower the risk of salmonella and campylobacter in poultry.

With new standards not only are producers accountable, but slaughterhouses as well. The standards will protect young turkeys and chickens from being contaminated. A certain percentage of poultry set aside would be tested for a specific pathogen linked to the illnesses.

“the new standards announced today mark an important step in our efforts to protect consumers by further reducing the incidence of salmonella and opening a new front in the fight against campylobacter,” United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

The USDA said the standards will out salmonella outbreaks down by 26,000 and campylobacter by 39,000 over two years.

After recent outbreaks with lettuce and peanuts, the USDA has put effort towards protecting consumers and putting more confidence in American foods.

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.

Tags: , ,
Posted in General | No Comments »

Farm Income Expected to Increase

Friday, July 16th, 2010

According to a survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, farm income is expected to rise in the Midwest and western states.

The survey found that feed costs are decreasing, so farmers will have to spend less money on feed.

While feed is lowering in price, crop prices fell in the first quarter as well. This caused farm income to decrease in the first quarter, but incomes are expected to recuperate by the end of the second quarter. Some producers may even see higher numbers than before the fall. One reason feeds costs are lower is the backstock of corn from farmers waiting for better crop prices.

The price of feed in 2010 was one of the many factors attributed to the current state of the agricultural industry. The lower prices is a sign that things are slowly improving.

The survey was conducted in the 10th District which includes Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and parts of Missouri.

In need of a farm or ranch loan? Rates are at historic lows starting at only 2.95%. Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a Farm Plus representative today or visit us online for more information.

Tags: ,
Posted in General | No Comments »

Survey Says Farm Value is Up

Friday, July 16th, 2010

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas, covering Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, New Mexico and parts of Missouri, reports that farm values rose by two percent in the first quarter of 2010.

Farm values rose because the demand for farm land in these states is high.

“Cropland values were above year-ago levels, driven primarily be farmer demand, as well as non-farm investors seeking higher rates of return,” the survey by The Fed said. “Ranch land values arose with improved profitability in the livestock sector.”

The survey gathered information from 262 banks in the 10th District. These banks expect the numbers to stay steady through the second quarter.

Farmers most commonly sought farm land, but investors purchased farm land as well. This is not a surprise as loan rates are at historic lows, as is property.

Crop land that is not irrigated rose by 2.8 percent and irrigated land increased by 2.5 percent. Ranch land increased by 1.6 percent as well.

Short term rates as low as 3.03%.  To take advantage of lowest rates seen in years, visit http://www.farmplusfinancial.com or call 866-509-3407.

Tags: , ,
Posted in General | No Comments »

Farmers Seek “AgJobs” Bill

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Farmers across the United States have trouble filling hard, physical seasonal jobs such as picking apples by hand. These producers look to immigrants to help with the jobs because they seem to be the only ones who will do the work. Strict immigration and visa laws have put a damper on hiring seasonal help and farmers want change.

A new visa program with more lenient requirements would allow farmers to keep production steady, or maybe even increase yields according to a number of farmers. Producers encourage an “AgJobs” bill that allows workers to obtain some type of illegal status if they work in the agriculture industry for 150 days or more throughout two years.

Although the recession has helped fill agricultural jobs, many farmers have to cut back crops and production because there are not enough workers to complete the jobs. In February the Obama Administration put tight restrictions on seasonal agriculture jobs in hopes to fill the work with Americans. Although farmers look to hire Americans for the work, the workforce is not there.

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.

Tags: ,
Posted in General | No Comments »

Honeybee Colonies Dwindle

Friday, July 16th, 2010

From October 2009-April 2010 managed honey bee colonies across the United States have decreased by 33.8 percent according to a survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America (IAI) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Causes for the decline include starvation, poor weather and weak colonies trying to survive winter according to the survey. The numbers are comparable to losses suffered in the winter of 2007-2008.
Jeffrey Pettis, research leader of ARS’ Bee Research Laboratory, notes the high rate loss is worrisome especially since numbers were not obtained for summertime losses. The survey team found that 28 percent of beekeeping operations said colonies perished with dead bees present (a symptom of Colony Collapse Disorder) lost 44 percent of their colonies.

The survey was conducted based on interviews, so there was no way to compare the cases that suffered with CCD and those that had losses due to an absense of bees.
22.4 percent of America’s 2.46 million colonies were evaluated in this survey to use as a tool for honeybee producers.

See the survey here.

Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. Visit our website or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.

Tags: , ,
Posted in General | No Comments »

Soybean Exports to China are Up

Friday, July 16th, 2010

April has been a promising month for corn producers with near record numbers on the Chicago Trade Board, and all thanks to a large purchase from China. Soybean producers may be as lucky as harsh weather conditions threaten China’s farmers.

China purchased 120,000 metric tons of oilseed for delivery before September 1 according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The same report states that China ordered an additional 691,000 tons for delivery for the remainder of the year after that.

Bill Nelson, a senior economist for Doane Agricultural Services in St. Louis, said, “Another sale of soybeans to China is supporting the rally. The market is getting a bullish kick from the Chinese purchase of U.S. corn.”

A grain administrator in China added that stockpiles of grain and cooking oil need to be increased to help stabilize prices on the current market.

Farmers are planting extra acres of soybeans to meet the demand according to the USDA. Nelson added, “The fast pace of corn plantings is giving soybeans a boost.”

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.

Tags: , ,
Posted in General | No Comments »
© Copyright 2009 - FarmPlus Financial All Rights Reserved. Home  |  Privacy Policy  |  Legal Policy  |  Sitemap  |   Contact  |  Employment  |  Blog