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Archive for August, 2010
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
The House and Senate Agriculture committees are traveling the country speaking with producers and agricultural groups to help share the 2012 Farm Bill. The committees are asking Idahoans for their input on what they would to see included in the legislation.
One piece of the 2012 Farm Bill already in the works is the payment limitations for the biggest farms in the country. Charles Hassebrook, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs said this would not be best for Idaho agriculture. He said, “We need to set up some sort of a system, where we boost the coverage and boost support for farms in the mid-range sizes, that are the ones trying to make a living from farming, but aren’t the big farms.â€
Hasselbrook feels the Farm Bill will be under tight economic pressure and it is important for small and mid-sized farms to be heard. Every five years the House and Senate Agriculture committees work on a new Farm Bill to assist agriculture producers across the country.
Are you in the market for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today for more information on our low-rate farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.
Tags: farm bill, house and senate agriculture committee, usda, vilsack
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Renewable energy is at the top of the Obama administration’s agenda as the country looks for ways to cut down its dependency on other countries and fossil fuels. The United States Department of Agriculture provides funding for renewable energy projects around the country as well as other groups such as the United States Department of Energy.
Oregon is the recipient of funding for three major biomass energy projects totally $3 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Governor Ted Kulongoski said the federal funding will not only expand Oregon’s renewable energy production, but will also stimulate the job market.
Lakeview Cogeneration in Lake County is the first recipient of $1.7 million to produce heat for a sawmill and electricity for grid from wood waste. The Farm Power Tillamook in Tillamook County received $1 million for a project that uses manure from local farms to generate electricity. The final recipient is the Integrated Biomass Energy project in Wallowa County. This project was provided with $275,000 to use forest trimmings to create heat and energy with forest trimmings.
If you have a project you would like to be considered for federal funding, contact your county USDA office.
Are you in the market for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus Financial today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: biomass project, obama, oregon, renewable energy
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Energy Policy and New Uses released a new report stating the “overwhelmingly positive energy benefits of ethanol.â€
The report reads, “A dry grind ethanol plant that produces and sells dry distiller’s grains and uses a conventional fossil fuel power for thermal energy and electricity producers nearly two times more energy in the form of ethanol delivered to customers than it uses for corn, processing and transpiration.â€
The Renewable Fuels Association said depending on the method used for co-product energy allocation, one unit of fossil energy input used in the production of corn ethanol results in 1.9 to 2.3 units of energy output.
The report also reads that the new estimate of net energy ration is higher than the USDA’s past estimate of one unit of fossil energy resulting in 1.77 units of ethanol energy. Calculations from the Renewable Fuels Association show that the average dry mill produces 2.1-2.6 net energy ratio.
The report is drawn based on date from a corn production survey conducted in 2005 and a survey of dry mill ethanol plants in 2008 by the National Agricultural Marketing Association.
Renewable energy funding is available through the United States Department of Agriculture to make the change or addition to your farm land. Call Farm Plus today for information on low-rate loans. We work alongside government agencies to help you get the funding you need. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: ethanol, positive energy benefits, usda
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Asparagus farmers may be eligible for funding through the new Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistant Payment Program that has been authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
Following losses after the importation of South American asparagus from 2004-2007, U.S. asparagus farmers took a large economic blow and the United States Department of Agriculture worked towards a program to help cover losses.
The program will distribute a total $15 million to asparagus farmers across the United States.
The market leaders are found in Washington, California and Michigan. These producers asparagus producers saw a decline in sales after Peru entered the competition with tax-free imports under the 1991 trade agreement.
This competition was not only threatening, but had an advantage to domestic-grown asparagus.
Payments for the Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistant Payment Program will be based off what the producers should have produced during 2003 and 2007. Payments will be delivered in one lump sum.
In the market for a farm or ranch loan? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: asparagus, assistance, usda
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
The Supreme Court ruled that the injunction against Roundup Ready alfalfa after a 7-1 ruling in the case of Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms.
Lower courts put an injunction on the use of Roundup Ready alfalfa after organic farmers felt the seeds were violated the National Environmental Policy Act. These farmers felt that Roundup Ready seeds put their organic crops in harm’s way because the seeds could be carried naturally to their organic farms.
The Supreme Court ruled that district courts did not have the authority to issue an injunction and that an Environmental Impact Statement must be issued for an injunction consideration.
The Supreme Court found that no harm would be caused by the partial deregulation of the product as the Environmental Impact Statement is issued. The ban of the product across the nation would have a much more harmful effect according to the courts.
“The real issue here was whether or not the USDA and APHIS would be blocked from taking interim measures to allow expanded planting while the Environmental Impact Statement was being prepared,†said David Snively the Monsanto senior vice president. “It was an important ruling because it clarified that the NEPA injunction that was entered by the district court really was a thumb on the scales on the way the system is normally supposed to work. And the court made pretty clear that standard rules apply and there has to be a balancing of interests before broad injunctive relief can be granted.â€
The statement may take as long as one year to draw up and could cause disruption to an entire planting season.
In the market for a farm or ranch loan? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: roundup, usda
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Farmers and investors are watching wheat prices drop on the Chicago Trade Board, waiting for prices to increase or elevate.
The United States is the biggest exporter of grain and the most active contract for September wheat has plummeted by 15 percent.
“What is suffering from the pressure of a harvest that looks to be better than expect in yields and quality.†Agritel, a Paris-based farm adviser, wrote on their website. “The corn market is integrating the very good weather conditions in the Corn Belt.â€
As of June 27 farmers harvested 38 percent of the winter’s wheat crops.
U.S. crop appeal has also dropped causing a decline in soybeans and corn prices. This is because there is less demand for biofuel and the U.S. crops have lost appeal.
The U.S. corn crops are listed at 73 percent good or excellent condition. Drier weather will help crops from the past few days of heavy rainfall while the cooler temperatures are ideal weather for planting seeds.
In need of financing? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information on farm and ranch loans.
Tags: chicago trade board
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
General Electric Co. announced the GE Energy Financial Services unit bought the majority stakes of the largest wind power project in Idaho.
The 11 wind farms, constructed by Exergy Development group, are worth nearly half-billion dollars. The electricity produced will be sold to the Idaho Power Company throughout a 20-year agreement to provide energy to Idaho residents.
The construction began in early June and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The wind farm will generate 183 megawatts of power which will be enough to power 39,700 Idaho homes. The farm will also use 122 of GE’s 1.5-megawatt turbines.
General Electric is always expanding its portfolio with renewable energy. Currently wind comprises nearly 80 percent of GE Energy Financial Services’s renewable energy portfolio with equity in over 58 wind farms across the United States.
Renewable energy is a common farm product with the incentive push from the Obama administration.
Looking to make a renewable energy addition to your land? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate agriculture loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: alternative energy, general electric, wind project
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Animal rights groups use such social media sites as YouTube and Facebook to show the conditions animals live in on farms. These videos show farmers in a negative light and many are done sitting back and letting these activists accuse them of animal abuse. Farmers across the country are turning to Facebook and Twitter to respond to horrid allegations.
Smart phones have allowed farmers to capture exactly what is happening on their farms with video and pictures to show the public what it is like working and living on a farm.
One farmer getting much attention is California farmer, Ray Prock Jr. Prock lives on a 240-acre farm with his wife and two children and feels many farmers are hurt by these accusations. “Every other farmer I know who cares for animals has at one time or another put those animals’ well being ahead of their own or their families’ time or needs,†Prock wrote on his blog.
Prock wants people to see the clean air, water and environment on his farm and the way his cows live. He is not the only farmer fighting the activist groups. Throughout Twitter and Facebook you can find many pages of farmers looking to gain back the respect of the public eye.
Looking to refinance or start an agriculture business on your own? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.
Tags: dairy farming, ray prock jr.
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, General | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
The California Senate is working to pass a bill that would require farmers to pay time-and-a-half for workers who work between 40-60 hours a week.
The bill is on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk waiting for approval, but agriculture groups strongly oppose the suggested bill.
Farm workers are one of the few groups of workers who do not receive overtime until they reach 60 hours a week. Government officials believe they should receive overtime at 40 hours like other industries because they work in hot summer sun and other uncomfortable conditions.
ABC 30 reported that MAPA chapter President Rey Leon said, “I think it’s about time for overtime, at least for farm workers.” Leon believes that current conditions appear similar to slavery.
Farm groups oppose the bill (such as the California Grape and Tree Fruit League) because the new bill would cause smaller paychecks for workers because farmers will hire more workers instead of paying overtime.
There is no indication whether the governor will pass the bill or not.
Are you in the market for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today by calling 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: california, Schwarzenegger
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
The American Farm Bureau (AFBF) stood behind the Murkowski resolution all the way until the end. However, the Senate voted to reject this measure that would restrict the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions.
The resolution was rejected in a vote of 47-53. The AFBF worked hard to fight for the resolution by sending letters to senators asking them to support the bill. Despite efforts the bill did not pass.
“This was one of the most important votes in the Senate this year affecting U.S. agriculture,†said AFBF President Bob Stall. “Additional EPA regulation for farmers will likely mean higher food costs for consumers because of higher input and energy costs to grow our food and result in negative economic impacts on the agriculture sector.â€
For the agriculture industry it was not just an economic impact. “Importantly his vote also brought into question who should decide our nation’s energy policy- elected lawmakers or a regulatory agency. It is regrettable the Senate answered this question as it did,†Stallman added.
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: american farm bureau, murkowski resolution
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