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Posts Tagged ‘north dakota’
Sunday, November 6th, 2011
The North Dakota Farm Bureau is currently pushing to amend the state constitution to include a right to farm. The amendment is part of an effort to limit the power of local animal rights activists.
Last year, the Humane Society of the United States spearheaded a ballot proposal to ban fenced hunting preserves. Over the last several months, the Human Society, working with other animal rights groups, has attempted to pass animal welfare laws that would significantly alter livestock practices across the country.
This activism has irked farmers across the state, many who see animal rights organizations as outside interlopers. Central North Dakota farmer Doyle Johannes stated, “[the amendment] doesn’t allow someone from the East Coast, the West Coast, to come in here and tell you what you can and can’t do because of their idealistic notions. We want to be able to farm in North Dakota, the way we think we should be able to.”
The amendment would add language to the state constitution, stating “The right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state. No law shall be enacted which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern livestock production and ranching practices.”
While many farmers are supportive of the measure, some worry that its overly broad language could hinder efforts to protect against a neighbor’s livestock odor or prevent the spread of genetically engineered crops. The Farm Bureau needs to collect roughly 27,000 signatures in order to place the amendment on the November ballot.
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 rights, farm bureau, Humane Society, north dakota
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Sunday, October 16th, 2011
According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Dakota’s crop harvest is down significantly from recent years. The last several months have been difficult for North Dakota farmers. Severe weather struck hard last spring, exposing crops to early frost, extreme cold, heavy rain, and powerful wind.
While the string of bad weather has ended, North Dakotan farmers are still struggling to recover from the damage done last season. In particular, the weather disrupted and delayed planting, which translates into a significantly lower harvest than in previous years.
The lowered harvest is consistent across the board with North Dakota crops. Some farmers report that their wheat harvest is at 50 percent of last year’s yield. The USDA has reported that canola production is down 43 percent from last year and dry, edible bean production is down 50 percent.
These major losses will most likely be reflected in the North Dakota economy. Agricultural officials are currently predicting at least tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue, possibly reaching the hundreds of millions. These losses mean lowered sales for non-agricultural businesses as farmers spend less. Ultimately, these dismal harvests could also result in increased unemployment.
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, north dakota, severe weather, usda
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Friday, September 16th, 2011
Robert Carlson, the president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, has been elected the leader of a new international farm group created to combat food insecurity worldwide. In a conference call earlier this week, Carlson outlined the two major goals of the new World Farmers Organization; promoting profitable farming worldwide, and promoting food security by guaranteeing that nations can either grow or import enough food to feed their people.
The first international assembly of the WFO was recently held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, with representatives from several different nations, including the United States. The organization will be headquartered in Rome, and already has over 50 international agricultural organizations and groups as members.
In addition to broad goals like promoting food security, the WFO will provide a space for international dialogue on farming and agricultural issues. International issues like currency values, environmental regulations, and trade policy will be discussed and, Carlson hopes, overcome through mutual consent and international cooperation.
Other American farming groups, most notably the Farm Bureau, are skeptical of the ability of the WFO to make meaningful change. North Dakota Farm Bureau president Eric Aasmundstad stated that, “There’s so much [agricultural] diversity throughout the world, I can’t imagine that it can really do much.”
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, Farmers Union, food security, north dakota
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Sunday, July 10th, 2011
As severe spring weather begins to recede throughout the United States, farmers in North Dakota and across the plains are worried about the long-term ramifications of the heavy rains and flooding. The severe weather prevented crop planting and damaged valuable cropland. While many parts of the Midwest are now recovering, with Midwestern farmers planting record corn crops, large parts of North Dakota are still facing an uphill struggle.
While the rains may have subsided, countless acres of prime farmland are still submerged across North Dakota. Current estimates place about 6.5 million acres of land underwater or damaged by the rain. The inability to seed land due to excessive moisture and flooding has many farmers worried, particularly because of the short weather window for planting later in the year.
In addition, many farmers are worried because their situation does not fit neatly into current disaster relief programs. Currently, five counties have been approved for disaster funding. However, many prevented planting programs are geared towards droughts rather than excessive moisture, leaving many farmers in a sort of limbo regarding their losses.
While some farmers are worried about red tape, others are worried about the long-term damage that could be done to flooded land. Until the waters recede, it won’t be possible to fully estimate the financial damage done by the rains. Until then, state officials have urged farmers to contact their local Farm Service Agency.
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 service agency, flooding, north dakota
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Sunday, April 17th, 2011
As spring flooding continues in North Dakota, agricultural commissioners are warning farmers and ranchers to brace for continued bad weather. Severe weather conditions last week have led to road closures and have paralyzed business throughout North Dakota. Compounding the flooding problems, heavy spring snows fell on Saturday, continuing road closures and worrying state officials. The snows in particular worry cattle ranchers, who fear that the flooding combined with the ice could be deadly for cattle. In 2009, similar weather conditions killed 70,000 cattle and calves in the state.
In addition to dangers faced by cattle ranchers, heavy spring rains and continued flooding could pose serious dangers to the human population. North Dakota agriculture commissioners have warned farmers to be aware of the dangers posed by pesticide use in the face of heavy rain. Severe flooding and rain could leach pesticides from crops and fields. More importantly, pesticide and fertilizer storage containers could be damaged by flooding, potentially contaminating food and livestock feed.
Iowa is facing similar pesticide contaminations. While severe soil erosion has played a major role in Iowa’s difficulties, pesticide pollution from Iowa fields has been known to leach into local streams, eventually leading to major rivers, like the Mississippi.
Rain and snow seem likely to continue in North Dakota for the next several 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: flooding, north dakota, pesticides
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
The North Dakota Farm Bureau is offering scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in any field of agriculture.
The NDFB is accepting applications for four different scholarships. This includes a general scholarship for any agriculture student, one dedicated to graduate students, the Farm Bureau Family Scholarship and the Becki Palmer Scholarship.
The Becki Palmer Scholarship is in memory of an NDFB worker who lost her battle to cancer. Palmer was a significant part of growing the NDFB scholarship program throughout her career.
All money stems from the NDFB Foundation that stresses the importance of future agriculture businesses. Scholarships help encourage youth into the field at technical and four-year colleges. If you are interested in donating money to future scholarships contact the NDFB Foundation at P.O. Box 2064 Fargo, N.D. 58107.
Applications are available here for scholarships and must be received no later than March 15, 2011. Contact Gail Bakko at gails@ndbf.org with any further questions.
For more information on agriculture scholarships contact Farm Plus today at 866-929-5585.
Tags: agriculture awards, farm bureau, north dakota
Posted in General, North Dakota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
The AgCountry Farm Credit Services is providing 24 $1,000 scholarships to seniors looking to study agriculture at university or college level.
High school seniors in North Dakota and northwest and central Minnesota are eligible for scholarships from AgCountry Farm Credit Services. Students can be interested in the science, business or economical factors of the agriculture industry.
Students who are from farming families are also eligible for AgCountry Farm Credit Service scholarships. Candidates will be evaluated based on academics, personal attributes, vocational promise, leadership and financial need.
The application process requires transcripts, a completed application and essay. References and letters of recommendations are also needed for submission. Applications are due on March 1, 2011 and recipients will be chosen in April.
For more information and to download the application, visit agcountry.com.
Contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585 for more information on agriculture scholarships and loans.
Tags: agcountry farm credit, north dakota, scholarships
Posted in General, Minnesota Farm Loans, North Dakota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
In the current uncertain times, North Dakota farmers found comfort in the numbers and quality of crops.
From late August through September southwestern North Dakota farmers have seen the perfect warm weather for harvesting. Many farmers considered it one of the best harvest in years.
Producers had not only nice yields, but nice poundage as well. Most yields are between 40 and 60 bushels per acre with wheat.
Canola in the region also had high numbers, with reports of 2,000 to 2,800 per acre.
Although winter wheat harvesting is over, farmers are now working on the spring crops.
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.
Tags: harvest, north dakota, usda
Posted in North Dakota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The North Dakota Industrial Commissions voted to extend the deadline for producers to apply for disaster aid from 2009.
North Dakota producers experienced harsh weather all year long with excessive rainfall, flooding and freezing temperatures. Harvesting was pushed behind so far that producers are still figuring out numbers from the 2009 year.
Officials also blame the decline in beef prices for the delay.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring explained, “We have had record snowfall, major livestock losses, widespread flood damage and prevented planting, a late harvest and a collapsing market. All of this threw a curveball to producers who are now trying to market a smaller-than -expected calf crop and/or low-protein wheat. In either case, they cannot break even, and that’s causing a lot of anxiety.â€
Those who are eligible can receive up to $500,000 or 75 percent toward a loan for refinancing term debt.
Click here for more information.
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: industrial commissions, loans, north dakota
Posted in North Dakota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009
Farmers in North Dakota are enjoying the numbers of crops in the hopper but not the outcome of the crops.
Steve Hepper of Hubbard Feeds in Bismarck told KXN, “A lot of grain coming in receiving 13 and 12 protein wheat when go from 14 to 13 protein the range can be from 60-90 cents down… if getting 13 protein it’s a 90 cent discount at some elevators.”
Wheat in that range is worth $4.70 a bushel and these discounts have a huge impact on what farmers get paid for their crops. Hepper adds that farmers can get more for the crops if they hold on to wheat until after the harvest. “If look at futures - spreads between 20-30 cent spread from September to December - that tells us later down the road when need the wheat higher price..”
Looking to refinance your farm loan before inflation hits? Farm Loan interest rates starting at 2.99% and terms up to 25 years. See our rate sheet or call 866-929-5585 to speak with a representative.
Tags: north dakota, wheat
Posted in General, North Dakota Farm Loans | No Comments »
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