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Posts Tagged ‘iowa’
Sunday, January 1st, 2012
With the Iowa caucus only a few days away, Republican presidential hopefuls are spending their last few moments crisscrossing the state and drumming up support.
Given the importance of agriculture to Iowans, the subject of farm subsidies has been a major part of the presidential primaries. Subsidies have been a hot button issue for the last several years. Given the weakness of the American economy, some politicians and voters have been questioning the need for expensive farm subsidies and federal support programs.
The leading Republican candidates have courted this fiscal conservatism, coming out forcefully against ethanol subsidies, a major economic factor in Iowa.
Ron Paul, for example, who has led several polls in the state, has claimed that ethanol subsidies are unconstitutional and unaffordable given the state of the economy. In 2008, Rick Perry attempted to end ethanol subsidies in Texas in order to protect Texas ranchers whose grain costs have been skyrocketing.
Michelle Bachmann courted controversy when she voted against ethanol subsidies in 2008 and publicly opposed farm subsidies. Even frontrunner Mitt Romney has criticized farm subsidies, saying, “I’m not running for office based on making promises of handing out money.”
The ability of leading candidates to criticize agricultural programs in Iowa is a reflection of how important the economy is to voters. The economic downturn, combined with the overall success of the agricultural industry as a whole, has allowed candidates to oppose popular agricultural programs without facing significant backlash.
Whether this is indicative of a larger trend has yet to be seen, although with the 2012 Farm Bill awaiting Congressional debate, voters across the country may yet see how important farming is to American politicians.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: ehtanol, iowa, Iowa caucus, Mitt Romney
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Monday, November 21st, 2011
The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health has recently commissioned a study investigating the nature of farm injuries. While many people may not think of it, farming is one of the most dangerous professions in the United States today. Working with animals, operating heavy machinery and sharp tools, and frequently working alone for hours on end all contribute to the high injury rates.
The University of Nebraska was awarded a $5 million federal grant to study farm injuries and collect data on farm safety. The study will examine farm injuries in Nebraska and Iowa, two major agricultural states. Nineteen Nebraskans and seventeen Iowans died last year due to farm injuries.
Major technological and safety innovations have radically improved farm safety and lowered farm injuries. Some combines, for example, will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat. In addition, some agricultural researchers believe there is a stronger culture of workplace safety today than there was several years ago.
Several safety measures the study will most likely look at include increased use of roll bars and cages in tractors, improved grain bin safety measures, and education on the importance of sleep and adequate rest when operating farm machinery.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: farm injuries, farm safety, iowa, nebraska
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Sunday, November 6th, 2011
An Iowa farmer was sentenced on Friday for defrauding a federal agency in relation to crop loans and farm subsidies. Donald Yotter applied for $350,000 in crop loans administered by the Commodity Credit Corporation. The CCC, a government corporation created in 1933, is dedicated to stabilizing, supporting, and protecting farm income and prices, through loans, purchases, payments, and other financial activities. The CCC also holds money for various U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
Yotter’s $350,000 loan was secured with crops grown on his farms in Henry and Louisa counties, Iowa.
This routine farm loan was disrupted when spot checks by the USDA revealed that many of the crops Yotter used as collateral didn’t exist, while others were sold without agency approval. Upon this discovery, a thorough investigation was performed by the Farm Service Agency and the Office of the Inspector General.
Yotter was charged with three counts of making false statements to a federal agency with regards to crop loans. Yoetter pled guilty and was sentenced to 366 days in prison, a $300 fine, and three years of supervised release after his prison sentence.
At the time of his sentencing, Yotter had repaid over $341,000 of his loan to the USDA.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: farm subsidies, Fraud, iowa
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Friday, November 4th, 2011
 Photo by Gage Skidmore
Former Farm Bureau president Dean Kleckner has recently endorsed Herman Cain for president, stating that he believesthe former pizza CEO would stand up for the rights of farmers. Kleckner’s endorsement could prove to be a major boost to the Cain campaign, which is currently struggling against allegations of sexual harassment.
Kleckner, as the former head of the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Farm Bureau, carries a great deal of influence within the agricultural community. In addition to his ties to the farm community, his ties to the state of Iowa could very well boost Cain’s campaign for the Republican nomination. The Iowa caucus, the first 2012 Republican primary contest in the nation, is a must win for Cain.
Kleckner stated that he believed Cain’s business experience would be beneficial for the agricultural industry. Stating that government overregulation has hurt the farm sector, Kleckner endorsed Cain’s laissez faire style of government.
Cain was equally supportive of Kleckner and the farm industry, stating, “I spent much of my life in the food industry and we could not have succeeded without great American agriculture. I want to thank Mr. Kleckner for his endorsement and let all farmers know that we will stand with them as they try to feed the world.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: farm bureau, Herman Cain, iowa
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Sunday, September 25th, 2011
According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa farmers are poised to receive record cash flows in their most recent harvest. A major part of this windfall is high commodity prices. Corn is selling for roughly $6 a bushel and soybeans are selling for about $12 a bushel. Based on these prices, USDA officials believe that the 2011 harvest could reach $20 billion.
Added to these high prices is a thriving livestock industry. Estimates from Iowa’s nearly 100,000 farms anticipate nearly $10 billion from the sale of cows and hogs. Collectively, Iowa farmers could receive roughly $30 billion from the sale of crops and livestock, nearly double their incomes in 2000.
High crop prices are a mixed blessing for Iowa farmers and the rest of the state’s population. High commodity prices mean an increased income for farmers. In addition, a thriving farm sector translates into more jobs for the rest of Iowa and a strengthened state economy. Iowa unemployment rates are currently around 6 percent, significantly lower than the national average of about 9 percent.
However, good times for farmers don’t necessarily translate into sunny days for everyone. Increased crop prices cut into ethanol producer’s profits. In addition, high crop prices mean higher grocery costs for ordinary consumers.
Finally, a thriving agriculture industry can often translate into budget cuts in Washington by politicians who do not realize the precarious nature of farm prices. Many politicians question the need for farm safety nets when commodity prices are so high. However, these same politicians forget that just six years ago, for example, corn sold for less than $3 a bushel.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: commodity prices, farm subsidies, iowa
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011
Earlier this week, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley addressed the debt ceiling deal, reached earlier this month, and discussed its impact on American agriculture. The debt deal stems from the federal budget deficit and limitations on the government’s ability to borrow money. Essentially, when the debt ceiling is reached, Congress must authorized increased borrowing in order to cover government spending.
The difficulty experienced earlier this summer was the result of effort by politicians, primarily led by House Republicans, to lower spending and reduce the deficit. The final agreement between Congressional leaders and President Obama raised the debt ceiling, preventing a default by the U.S. government, and, in exchange, created a Congressional “super committee, made up of Senators and Representatives from both parties. That super committee was empowered to find nearly $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next ten years, with a deadline of mid October.
Grassley, a member of the super committee, has expressed hope that Congress seriously considers cutting spending. His recommendations, however, have raised eyebrows across the country, especially in his home state of Iowa.
While Grassley has expressed hope that the super committee will listen to Congressional agricultural committees, one of Grassley’s solutions to lowering federal spending is by reducing farm subsidies (something opposed by many in Congressional agricultural circles). His suggested reforms would limit total money that individuals could receive from the federal government in direct farm subsidies. While Grassley has championed this issue in the past, he hopes that the $2 trillion in mandated budget cuts will give his proposal more weight than it has received in the past.
Farm groups are divided on Grassley’s proposal. Many groups oppose removing or limiting farm subsidies, which they argue helps support farmers in tough times. Members of both the House and Senate agricultural committees have similarly opposed reduction in farm subsidies. However, some farmers have expressed a willingness to see direct payments replaced by more specifically directed farm aid programs.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: chuck grassley, farm bill, iowa
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Thursday, June 30th, 2011
An undercover video, shot by the animal rights group Mercy for Animals on an Iowa pg farm, has reignited debate over the controversial Iowa law banning such videos from being created and published. The video, which was released on the internet earlier this week, is remarkably graphic, depicting piglets being thrown against cement walls, castrations and tail dockings done without pain relief, and dozens of animals suffering from infections going untreated.
Iowa Select Farms, the company depicted in the video, has claimed that only a small portion of the video depicts animal abuses by employees. In addition, the company has promised to investigate the abuses and discipline the employees in question. Mercy for Animals, on the other hand, has claimed that the video is indicative of abuses that occur throughout animal farms and has called for increased transparency in food production.
The video has been released in the midst of increased debate over Iowa’s controversial undercover filming ban. The bill, which has passed the Iowa House and is currently being debated in the Iowa Senate, would criminalize undercover videos shot on farms without the express permission of the farmer in question. Opponents of the bill presented a petition with 41,000 signatures to the Iowa legislature calling for the bill to be defeated.
The bill, which would make it a crime to possess or distribute audio or video recordings of farms, will almost certainly lead to constitutional challenges. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that videos exposing animal cruelty are protected forms of free speech.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: animal abuse, iowa
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Sunday, May 15th, 2011
Farmers across the Midwest are taking advantage of a lull in cold, rainy weather to plant their spring crops, particularly the long delayed corn crop. While the amount of crops planted is down from previous averages (Iowa, for example, has planted a little over 60% of its corn crop versus over 90% at the same time last year), the rapid planting represents a major effort to protect American food supplies.
The crop delay has been caused by unusually wet spring weather. Heavy rains over the past several months have saturated soils, forcing many farmers to delay planting spring crops. The moistness of the soil would prevent germination, making it impossible to grow plants in the soil. This weather has even caused massive floods which have washed away acres of crops and valuable farmland.
The break in the weather has allowed farmers to plant their spring crops, taking advantage of the rest of the May growing season. Many farmers have benefited from modern farm technology. Modern planters can prepare 500 acres a day and modern satellite technology allows farmers to plant crops at night. All in all, technological advancement has exploded the pace of modern farm productions. However, old-fashioned elbow grease is still at the heart of agricultural production, with some Iowa farmers putting in 20 hour days.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: corn production, iowa, Spring flooding
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Thursday, April 14th, 2011
A recently released report by the Environmental Working Group suggests that Iowa is facing severe soil erosion. Over 400 townships in Iowa, largely in the western parts of the state, are facing unsustainable (higher than 5 tons per average) erosion rates. Almost half of these townships are facing erosion levels more than twice the sustainable limit.
These alarming figures are largely the result of heavy rain that has struck the state cyclically for the last several years. In addition to damaging the agricultural industry, heavy soil erosion can lead to increased environmental pollution. Eroded soil allows unabsorbed water to wash fertilizer, pesticides, and other pollutants into streams and rivers. Particularly problematic for western Iowa is runoff that reaches the Mississippi River, eventually feeding in the Gulf of Mexico, which is facing severe environmental problems due to industrial pollution and the recent Gulf oil spill.
The EWG report called for several solutions to increasing soil erosion. In particular, they called for an increased effort made to conserve valuable and vulnerable soil in Iowa and other farms across the U.S. While farm subsidies have remained high in recent years, significant amounts of funding have gone towards ethanol programs and efforts to increase production. The upcoming Farm Bill and President Obama’s call to increase ethanol production will only complicate the precarious soil situation in Iowa.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: iowa, soil erosion
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Thursday, February 17th, 2011
High school seniors in Iowa can apply for a scholarship through the Soil and Water Conservation District. Seniors looking at a career in agriculture or natural resources may apply for one of three scholarship awards.
Each senior should apply at their local Soil and Water Conservation District office with this application. Each county will choose a winner for nomination. The CDI Auxiliary President will then choose recipients for the $1,000, $1,200 or $1,800 scholarships.
All interested applicants must complete the designated application. Once completed students must submit by March 11, 2011. Winners will be announced in April or May.
Benton County applicants can also apply for the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners Scholarship. Applicants are available at the Soil, Water and Conservation District Office in Venton for students entering two- or four-year programs. Applications are due March 1, 2011 to the Benton County office. For more information contact 319.476.2161, extension A.
Contact Farm Plus today for information on agriculture scholarships. Call 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: iowa, scholarships, usda
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