SURE Program Deadline is Approaching Soon

Last modified on 2010-10-05 17:13:36 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Photo courtesy of Virtual Tourist

The Idaho Department of Agriculture announced that the deadline for assistance from 2008 crop year losses is September 30, 2010. This assistance falls under the USDA Farm Service Agency 2008 Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) program.

SURE assists eligible producers with funding to cover crop quality or production losses. The assistance is equivalent to 60 percent of the difference between the farm revenue and farm guarantee. The total farm revenue
includes the actual value of production, insurance payments and farm program payments.

Eligible producers suffered at least 10 percent production loss and must have a risk management plan that includes a plan of insurance.

Idaho Farm Service Agency State Executive Dick Rush told Ag Weekly, “Some Idaho producers had sprout damage in their 2008 crop, other areas had heavy rain and frost that damaged many crops int eh state. SURE is a new program that considers the disaster’s impact on farmer’s entire enterprise, not just the crop impacted by weather or other natural disasters.”

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Producers Offered Increased Payments for Land

Last modified on 2010-09-08 14:58:06 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced open enrollment for the federal Conservation Reserve Program. According to the Idaho Farm Service Agency, the federal government is offering to pay landowners higher payments to enroll land in the program.

Though the money would help many farmers during the current hard economic times, the higher payments may cause a problem or the agriculture industry in Idaho. More people will enroll land which means a large portion of Idaho’s farmland will be out of commission. Landowners have been offered three times as much for land this year than previous years.

Contracts with the Conservation Reserve program require that land lay fallow for 10 to 15 years. This is done voluntarily. The land is then seeded with grass or a ground cover to avoid erosion. The United States Department of Agriculture is looking to enroll 32 million acres across the United States.

Click here for more information on the program.

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Producers Help Shape the 2012 Farm Bill

Last modified on 2010-06-10 19:30:13 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Legislators are talking with farmers and agricultural groups to discuss the 2012 Farm Bill. The first hearings were held in Idaho.

The United States House Agriculture Committee wants to know what farmers want or would like to see in the new farm bill.

“We haven’t decided what to do yet,” said Representative Walt Minnick. “But hearing from Idaho producers, whether they grow potatoes, or cattle, or grow mint in the Treasure Valley will help us put together a bill that will better suit Idaho.”

Organizations and farmers are happy to be included in the process.

“(This) gives Idahoans the opportunity to testify on what we believe the farm program should look like,” Scot Brown, president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, said. The committee has challenged farmers to come up with a new farm bill, pretending that there wasn’t an original farm bill- what would producers want it to offer and protect?

Group leaders agree all industries are struggling, not just dairy or livestock. “Having the agriculture committee here at the very beginning of the process of formulating the next farm bill is the most important time for Idaho agriculture to be heard,” Minnick said. Producers want a bill that will help more than just the dairy industry, a bill that addresses all industries.

After the U.S. House Agriculture meets with producers about their desires they will meet with farmers to see how they current Farm Bill worked for them.

The 2008 Farm Bill expires in 2012. The bill covers farm support, food assistance, trade, rural development and marketing.

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NRCS Deadline Approaching for Idaho Producers

Last modified on 2010-02-26 02:49:55 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Idaho producers interested in participating in the USDA’S Natural Resources Conservation Services program must apply by February 12, 2010 to receive assistance for the 2010 year.

As part of The Farm Bill, the program is designed for producers interested in protecting or improving natural resources on their land.

“Whether they’re interested in improving irrigation efficiency, improving wildlife habitat, protecting water quality or reducing erosion,” said Jeff Burwell, NRCS State Conservationist, “chances are, we have a program that can provide both technical and financial assistance for qualifying applicants.”

In 2009 Idaho producers received $19 million in assistance.

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Economist Disagrees With new Program

Last modified on 2010-02-09 02:52:36 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Tom Vilsack announced the requirements and steps to apply for The Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment and Idaho economists are skeptic to weather the plan will truly help farmers in the end.

Mike Brown, dairy economist for Glanbia Foods in Twin Falls, said the program is a one time payment to farmers that limits payments to no more than six million pounds annually. This covers only 40 percent of Idaho’s milk production.

He feels that the smaller farms in the northeast and Midwest states are the only ones who will really benefit from the new program. Idaho dairy will only receive 13 cents for every 100 pounds of milk produced.

Although the money will help, it is not nearly enough to help Idaho farmers in crisis.

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Idaho set for Wind Farm

Last modified on 2009-12-08 18:33:36 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Idaho’s Elmore County is set to become home to a large-scale wind farm.

The farm is part of a 219 megawatt wind farm with 15 new wind turbines. The farm will be built in Bell Rapids near Hagerman.

Construction begins in the near future for the farm that will provide energy for Elmore and three surrounding counties.

The project, led by Exergy Development Group, is expected to cost $500 million.

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A Spudly Year

Last modified on 2009-08-28 22:27:25 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

U.S. producers planted more potatoes this year than last according to industry officials.

933,000 acres of potatoes were planted this year, up from 931,000 in 2008. This number comes from the July 10 acreage estimate from the USDA.

Although it is early to have a definite answer, USDA estimates show there may be a good balance between supply and demand in the fall.

“At this point, acreage is in the ballpark of where it should be,” Lee Frankel, president of the United Potato Growers of America, said.

Idaho is the state who made the biggest jump this year planting 305,000 acres which is up from 320,000 last year.

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Idaho Farmers vs. Bureau of Land Management

Last modified on 2009-06-19 21:36:46 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Idaho farmers are seeing thousands dollars worth of crop damage after the Bureau of Land Management sprayed 100,000 acres of public land with Oust.

The local bureau sprayed the potent herbicide on invasive weeds on land that was destroyed by wild fire. When drought hit the area, the herbicide never soaked into the soil. When the wind developed it carried the herbicide to neighboring farms.

The powdery herbicide landed on crops, land and plants leaving farmers with dead crops.

Farmers have taken action and a federal jury is looking at a case against the Bureau of Land Management. The trial began May 4 and is expected to last up to four months.

One farmer pointed out they cannot even feed the cows corn grown on the land because they could become sick and possibly even die.

The plaintiffs claim that the proper instructions were not followed when the herbicide was placed down, but the defendants cannot comment.

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Grain Growers Strongly Disagree with Obama’s Plan

Last modified on 2009-04-07 02:36:54 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Grain industry leaders in Oregon, Washington and Idaho wrote a letter to President Obama opposing his proposal to cut payments to farms with revenue over $500,000.

“The purpose of the five-year Farm Bill is to provide stability for producers, agricultural operations and our nation’s food system,” the letter stated. “We believe it’s unwise and unacceptable to dismantle this critical piece of legislation before it has even had a chance to be fully implemented.”

This change would effect over 1,200 Oregon farmers. “The premise is that USDA farm dollars would be going to those who are most in need of money,” Jane Harden, the executive director of the Umatilla County Farm Service Agency told The East Oregonian. “But $500,000 is not much money- it’s actually a very small dollar amount.”

Many expect the proposal to not pass because 50 Congress members already signed a letter opposing it. “Direct payments are necessary to shore up the operating loans needed to make a farm work,” Tammy Dennee of the Oregon Wheat Growers League added.

Denee said the purpose of the letter wasn’t to stop the proposal, but better inform the president of the impact this decision will have. “It’s our opportunity and challenge to help Congress and the new administration understand the interdependence of these programs and how they are viewed in the countryside by growers and their bankers.”

If you are interested in purchasing farm land contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available for a variety of needs. Call 866-929-5585d or visit online for more information about farm loans.

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 Idaho Farm Loans - Purchase, Refinance, or Expansion

Idaho is largely known as the “potato state” and for good reason.  Idaho farmers produce more potatoes than any other state in America.  Idaho is home to 24,500 farms with a average farm size of 478 acres.  These farms grow a wide range of agriculture products such as beans, wheat, corn, peppermint, milk, beef, and the list goes on and on.  A largely diverse state, such as Idaho, deserves a lender who can understand and comprehend such a large variance in farm operations. If you seek a farm loan or ranch loan Farm Plus Financial is a great source.  Farm Plus Financial offers very competitive farm loan programs to Idaho agriculturalists.  Our streamlined loan process, exceptional customer service and unbeatable farm loan programs set up apart from our competition.  Whether you would like a farm loan for a purchase, refinance or an expansion please feel welcome to contact us toll free at 866-929-5585.  Our Loan Specialists are eager to help.  Thank you for visiting.