South Dakota SURE Program in Effect

Last modified on 2010-02-09 03:05:57 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

As of January 5, 2010 South Dakota producers are eligible for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program.

Senator John Thune made the announcement following the approval of the program through the 2008 Farm Bill. Payments will be made until September 30, 2011.

“The Farm Safety net is designed to give farmers and ranchers a measure of peace of mind when natural disaster strikes,” Thune explained. “Permanent disaster programs provide assurance that needed disaster funding will not be held up by political gamesmanship in Washington.”

The program will benefit producers because the money will be available immediately from the state.

Those eligible include producers with land in counties with a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation and countiguous counties. Producers outside the counties with crop production that is less than 50 percent normal is also eligible.

Contact your local Farm Service Agency for more information.

Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.

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Sunflower Crops Set Records

Last modified on 2010-02-09 01:43:33 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

North Dakota and South Dakota sunflower crops are expected to set records at the end of the season.

Sunflowers are grown to produce sunflower oil. The oil is used as a healthy substitute to fight trans fat. Overall, the country’s production is down by 13 percent due to the drop in planted acres and spring flooding.

The Dakotas produce 75 percent of the nation’s sunflowers, and the USDA projects high numbers. South Dakota is expected to produce 1,809 pounds per acre and North Dakota is expected to produce 1,557 pounds per acre.

Although most crops stay within America, 80,000 metric tons are expected to be exported to Canada. After a dimming year, these numbers are reassuring to those in the industry.

Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.

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South Dakota CREP Program

Last modified on 2010-02-09 01:35:13 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Tom Vilsack and South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds announced a new program to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and aid flood control in the state.

“The USDA is proud to collaborate with South Dakota to protect and conserve our national resourcs while improving the quality of life in our communities,” Vilsack said.

The South Dakota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) wants to enroll 100,000 acres located at the James River Watershed. The establishment of the CREP will restore prairie pothole wetland hydrology and surrounding upland buffers along drainages leading into the James River.

Those who are eligible for the program must offer at least 40 continuous acres and must meet specific land requirements.

The project is expected to cost the USDA $161.4 million upon completion (100,000 acres).

Those interested should apply at their county FSA 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.

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Acres Removed From Program

Last modified on 2009-12-08 18:53:56 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

3 million acres of farmland are being taken out of the federal conservation program and may be tilled. The change has many environmentalists concerned about wildlife habitat, water quality and soil erosion.

39 million acres of farmland across the country are protected by the Conservation Reserve Program, but 3.4 million acres were taken out in September. The removal stems from present owners’ not renewing their contracts.

A change in the 2008 Farm Bill also caused the removal because the bill caps the program at 32 million acres.

Most of these acres are located in Texas, Kansas and Colorado. North and South Dakota, as well as Montana are also effected.

Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.

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Crop Insurance Deadlines

Last modified on 2009-12-08 18:15:17 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Crop insurance deadlines are coming up quickly, but with the current wet conditions in South Dakota, there is some good news.

The South Dakota Agriculture Department will grant extensions for applications to farmers concerned about harvesting by December 10. The USDA Risk Management Agency may grant extra time for those who cannot complete their fall harvest by deadline due to weather conditions.

Bill Even, state agriculture secretary, said those concerned about the deadline need to contact their agents to report losses and ask for more time to protect crop insurance.

Officials suggest farmers document all weather conditions and all actions taken to receive accurate claim payments.

Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. Farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See our rate sheet here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.”

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South Dakota Disaster Loans

Last modified on 2009-12-08 18:12:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

South Dakota farmers and producers in 25 counties are eligible for low-rate disaster loans.

This announcement follows USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s visit to South Dakota following a difficult summer and harvest. The area was hit with heavy rains and flooding that caused a great amount of damage. Vilsack expects payments to be made by the end of the year.

After the announcement South Dakota state representative Herseth Sandlin said, “After this year’s series of severe weather events, our farmers, ranchers and community leaders continue the long process of clean-up and recovery. I was pleased Secretary Vilsack accepted my invitation to visit South Dakota to learn more about the damage first-hand. This federal disaster assistance is critical for our many affected producers across South Dakota to restore critical infrastructure and provide our farmers and ranchers much-needed relief.”

The counties included are: Aurora, Brown, Custer, Fall River, Gregory, Hutchinson, Jackson, Marshall, Mellette, Yankton, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Day, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Haakon, Hanson, Jerauld, Jones, Lyman, McCook, McPherson, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Shannon, Spink, Todd, Tripp and Turner.

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.

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Small-grain Harvest Ahead of Schedule

Last modified on 2009-09-24 18:19:32 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

With fall just around the corner, reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows South Dakota’s small-grain harvest is just about done.

Farmers are thanking the favorable weather for the time gain for their oats, barley and spring wheat crops. Although there will be an early crop for small-grain harvest, corn crops are a tad behind schedule. The corn-for-silage harvest is only 7 percent complete.

One problem with some crops is a large grasshopper infestation in central and southwestern South Dakota.

Are you looking for a farm loan to help with production costs? Farm Plus offers low-rate loans with interest rates as low as 2.99%! For more information on farm loans contact a representative at 866-929-5585 or visit our website for more information.

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South Dakota Value Increases

Last modified on 2009-08-28 22:04:02 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Over the past year South Dakota farmland has increased in value by 7.7 percent. Although the growth is good news, it is the lowest growth seen in the past decade.

The South Dakota State University blames the current recession for the decline.

On average land values increased from $1,041 and acre to $1,121. Between 2001 and 2008 values grew by at least 10 percent.

SDSU economics professor Larry Janssen told KXNet.com that people are alarmed about the decline in value, but are not worried.

Are you looking to purchase farm land? Contact Farm Plus today! Regardless of a recession, low-rate farm loans are available now. Call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative or visit online for more information.

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South Dakota Representatives Send Letter to Vilsack

Last modified on 2009-05-21 21:12:09 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

South Dakota representatives Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Sens. John Thune and Tim Johnson wrote a joint letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for written rules for the livestock indemnity program stemming from the 2008 Farm Bill.

In the letter officials stated that farmers and ranchers have lost 15 to 20 percent of livestock due to terrible weather including blizzards.

The Livestock Indemnity Program would help producers recover their documented losses.

Looking for a farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available and Farm Plus works alongside government agencies to help people get the loans they need. For more information contact 866-929-5585 or visit Farm Plus’ website.

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Avipel Approved for Emergency Conditions

Last modified on 2009-05-21 19:54:15 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

South Dakota farmers will be able to treat seed corn with an irritant that keeps pheasants away. The bird often eats the seeds before it sprouts.

Avipel, a popular irritant, is not approved by the EPA, but the state Agriculture Department was successful in getting an emergency approval.

Administrator Brad Berven said Avipel does not kill pheasants. However, it does irritate their stomachs enough that they learn to avoid it.

Berven pointed out that when the state’s pheasant population is as large as it is the last two years, yield losses can be high.

South Dakota farm loans are available today at Farm Plus! Low-rate farm loans are available for your farming needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.

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South Dakota is the Leader in Bison Herds

Last modified on 2009-05-21 19:47:08 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

A survey conducted by The Department of Agriculture said South Dakota had the nation’s largest population of bison in 2008 totaling 387,000. The second highest count was in Nebraska with only 17,900.

South Dakota also ranked in the top five states for more than a dozen other crop, livestock and agriculture-related categories.
The state came in second for the number of lambs born, production of alfalfa, hay, flaxseed, sunflower seed and honey. It was also third highest for oats, wheat and proso millet crops.

South Dakota ranked 29th for number of farms and ranches and fifth in the amount of land for agricultural purposes.

Are you looking to invest in a farm or ranch in South Dakota? Contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available today for all of your farming and ranching needs. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans and ranch loans.

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Muddy Roads Cause Problems for Farmers

Last modified on 2009-05-15 21:46:40 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

South Dakota farmers who stored wet corn over the winter are having trouble getting it to area elevators to dry because of flooded-out roads this spring.

There was no issue storing the wet corn over the winter because freezing temperatures kept the corn from rotting. However, with temperatures rising, it is important to get the corn out to dry so it does not rot.

“That is a very big concern at this point,” Junior Linthorne, manager of Frederick Farmers Elevator in Frederick told The Grandfork Herald. “Farmers have corn in bins they want to get out before it turns bad. It is crunch time.”

Those farmers who do not have on-farm dryers must transport the wet corn to elevators with dryers, but the current conditions are making this nearly impossible. If the roads are not totally flooded out, the open roads cannot tolerate heavy trucks because the road beds are soggy.

Many farmers have never seen conditions this bad. Michael Elsen said he started farming in 1988 and this is the worst. He can only take his corn in small loads to the elevator.

“If I hadn’t caught mine the other day, in a week or two my corn would have been shot. Everybody has really got to be watching those bins,” he said.

Some farmers are having problems meeting deadlines for some corn sold under contract for specific times, but roads issues should clear up in a few weeks.

Interested in a farm loan for your farm needs? Contact Farm Plus today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding low rate farm loans.

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South Dakota Pulse Crops

Last modified on 2009-05-07 20:54:23 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

South Dakota producers have the option to establish base acres for pulse crops effective 2009 through 2012 crop years under the 2008 Farm Bill according to the Farm Service Agency in South Dakota.

“The addition of pulse crop base acres to a tract may increase the total base acres on a farm,” Tom Kostel said. “This new option can increase the eligible payment acres for the farm if the farm participates in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program.”

Dry pease, letils, large chickpeas and small chickpeas are all elgible crops for the program.

Pulse crop base acres and yields are based on the acreage and related yield history from the 1998 through 2001 crop years. The pulse crop base acres are only eligible for counter-cyclical payments. Direct payment rates were not established for pulse crops and therefore direct payments are not authorized for pulse crops for 2009 through 2012 crop years.

Producers must elect crop by August 14, 2009.
Producers have three options for establishing pulse crop acreage as base acres on their farm:
Option 1: Do not add eligible pulse crop base acres; retain current base acres.
Option 2: Add eligible pulse crop base acres to the 2009 base acres on the tract without offset of existing base acres.
Option 3: Add eligible pulse crop base acres to the 2009 base acres on the tract with an offset of base acres on the tract.

For more information visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
Interested in a farm loan? Low rate loans are available at Farm Plus today! Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.

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South Dakota’s New Crop: Carbon

Last modified on 2009-04-15 01:51:18 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The South Dakota Farmers Union is supporting a new program that pays farmers to store carbon in their soil. The group is supporting President Obama’s climate-change legislation that includes a “cap and trade” system that offsets the release of greenhouse gases by giving farmers subsidies to store carbon in their land.

Storing carbon works best with the farmland is not disturbed. The less it is disturbed, the more carbon it will hold. The Chicago

Climate Exchange program is a positive for any farmer involved. Farmers help the environment by storing carbon and offsetting the release from companies sending pollution into the air. The program also gives farmers another opportunity to earn income off their land, especially when dairy prices are going down.

South Dakota is currently the second carbon sequestration state, only behind Nebraska. Anyone who qualifies for the program should apply immediately. Those farms in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and rangeland, no-till land, newly planted tree claims and forest land all qualify.

If you are interested in purchasing farmland for carbon credits, or any other purpose, contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available for land or production costs, contact a representative today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.

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Honey Production Increased in 2008

Last modified on 2009-03-20 15:33:29 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Despite a mysterious disease killing millions of honeybees, California ranks third in the United States for honey production.

According to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, honey production rose in California by more than one-third in 2008. 360,000 hives were based in California that produced 18.3 million pounds of honey in comparison to 13.6 million pounds produced in 2007.

This resulted in $26 million revenue for beekeepers in California. Every year thousands of beekeepers take their bees to California to pollinate blossoming nut and fruit trees.

North Dakota and South Dakota only top California in honey production.

If you are interested in honey productio,n agriculture loans are available. Contact Farm Plus today for more information regarding low-rate agriculture loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online.

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South Dakota Farm Leaders Agree

Last modified on 2009-03-20 01:17:10 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Many states have come forward with a disapproving eye at President Obama’s proposed budget plan cutting subsidies for farms that generate over $500,000 in revenue.

South Dakota farm leaders agree that the idea is not popular amongst farmers.

Ross Ulmer, Brown County Farm Bureau president said often it takes $475,000 in input costs to get $500,000 in revenue. He points out that the costs exceed gross income.

Some input costs include things like fertilizer, pesticides, farm equipment, seed, property tax on the land and income tax to name a few.

Many suggestions have surfaced to adjust the plan, but no decision has been made.

Obama said the proposal will save tax payers $9.8 million over 10 years.

If you are interested in purchasing farmland now is the time. Farm loans have historic low rates and are waiting for you! Contact Farm Plus today by phone at 866-929-5585 or online for more information regarding farm loans.

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 South Dakota Farm Loans - Refinance, Purchase or Expansion Loans

 

Farm Plus is proud to offer government secured South Dakota farm loans and South Dakota ranch loans.  South Dakota is known as a top producing agricultural state.  South Dakota is also known for its Corn Palace which took 3,500 bushels of ear corn to create.  Farm Plus Financial is proud to offer this great agricultural state our farm and ranch loan programs.  Whether you are seeking a farm loan or ranch loan for a refinance, purchase or to expand an existing South Dakota farm operation, be sure to contact Farm Plus Financial.  Our streamlined loan process and our friendly Loan Specialists coupled with low interest rates make for a pleasant loan transaction.  To learn more click here.  Thank you for visiting.