Efficiency is one way to survive the dairy crisis that currently exists. With milk prices as low as $10.78 for 100 pounds of milk, dairy farmers try to stay optimistic.
Some farmers had to slaughter cows or sell them, but others are getting every drop they can out of fewer cows. Linnea Kooistra is one of these farmers.
“As we take care of the animals, they take care of us,” she told the Chicago Tribune. Kooistra spoils her cows with fine cuisine, pedicures and sand beds.
“You try to get the most milk you can out of each cow to limit the negative effects, the losses,” Kooistra said. “We keep her happy so she gives us more milk.”
Kooistra’s dairy farm is located in northern Illinois, and although Illinois is not a top dairy producing state, it is ranked at 20 with 1,000 dairy farms.
Dairy prices have dropped due to less demand. With the current recession, people are not dining out as much (consuming dairy products) or purchasing expensive cheeses. Another reason is that there is less milk export because other countries are no longer dependent on us for milk.
Despite current economic conditions farm loans are available. If you are interested in purchasing a farm, contact Farm Plus today for more information on farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online.
Due to recent changes in the farming industry, business practices have changed. The USDA has created many government programs to assist farmers with the transition.
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 announced new programs that are aimed to generate loans for new types of operations such as organic farming, value-added farming operations, immigrant farming and enterprises growing crops for local retailers.
Other new programs have also been created to stimulate beginning farmers to start family farms. This is included in the rural America USDA’s Farm Loan Programs. This program offers loan types for every need with direct or guaranteed loan options. Some options include: operating, ownership, disaster, youth and loans for beginning farmers.
Emergency loans are also available for farmers who suffered injuries or physical and production losses in disaster areas.
Farm Plus works with government agencies to obtain farm loans or ranch loans. If you are interested in a farm loan or ranch loan contact Farm Plus today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans or ranch loans.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in California due to the current drought situation.
In response to the current problem, Schwarzenegger has devloped a list of immediate actions to address the problem. Despite recent rainfall, California is facing its third year of drought.
“We must prepare for the worst- a forth, fifth, or even sixth year of drought,” he said in a speech. The governor is demanding that the state Department of Water Resources must expedite water transfers and offer technical assistance to agricultural water suppliers and agricultural water uses. This includes information on managing water supplies with the least economic impact possible and how to implement other water supply practices.
The California Farm Bureau Federation’s President Doug Mosebar said, “By acknowledging that the health of communities and arms is linked to a reliable water supply, the governor’s actions will help ease job and economic losses due to California’s water crisis.”
By March 30 the governor said the Department of Water Resources has to provide an updated report on drought conditions and water availability. If changes do not occur, the governor will implement additional steps. Things may get as extreme as rationing out water supply and reductions in use.
Farmers must plan ahead. “If you plan to grow crops that will need water beyond the limited supply available, you may find yourself in a very serious dilemma,” said Victoria Whitney, deputy director for water rights. “There’s a strong possibility your water right will be curtailed due to a lack of surface water or low priority of right.”
She suggests farmers find an alternative source of water, perhaps groundwater that does not require a water-right permit.
“The crisis is statewide,” Tom Birmingham of the Westlands Water District in Fresno. “The losses to the economy, the environment and our overall quality of life will be enormous. Most important, the problem will not be solved when abundant rains return one day. The problem is our broken water system that can no longer provide reliable supply to met California’s needs.”
Experts believe the system needs reworking and that the government must push for this to happen. Last week two water bond proposals were introduced to the state Legislature. One proposal was rom Sen. Dave Cogdill (R.) and the other was from Sen. Dean Florez (D.), and the Farm Bureau is actively involved in discussions with both authors.
Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) have announced ways to improve the three largest corn-using sectors in the state: livestock feeding, ethanol and trade.
Most discussions between members of The National Corn Growers Association in 2008 and 2009 so far were about resolutions. ICGA president-elect Don Elsbernd said, “It was a year for making incremental adjustments instead of major policy changes.”
An example given in a recent press release, according to Elsbernd, is the policy supporting testing and certification of conversion kits that could be retrofitted onto cars to allow them to burn E85. “We want to make it easier for more consumers to drive flex fuel vehicles and buy E85 at the gas pump.”
Another resolution, and an Iowa response to President Obama’s budget, is to cut off farm program direct payments based on the level of gross sales. Elbsbernd said that gross sales are not a reliable measure of farmers’ profitability in the current climate of volatile grain prices and extremely high input costs.
Elbsbernd is proud of the farm leadership behind the ICGA and NCGA. “We have a system where the ideas an Iowa grower brings to our summer roundtable meetings can advance to the national policy level and become the official position of the entire National Corn Growers Association- that means real grassroots leadership at work in the halls of Congress.”
If you are interested in purchasing agricultural land, loans are available today. Ranch loans and farm loans are available through Farm Plus Financial and rates are at historic lows. Farm Plus works with various government agencies to help people own a farm of their choice across the country. For more information on farm loans please contact a representative today. Contact one via telephone at 866-929-5585 or visit online.
Another state is lashing out against President Obama’s budget. Although there is no way to entirely make everyone happy, each state seems to have their own response to the problem.
Congressional farm leader, Collin Peterson, from Minnesota, is standing up against the announced plan. If the plan would go into play, thousands of Minnesota farms would see a huge portion of their income disappear.
However, at the same time many farmers like Fred Dauer see the importance of the cuts and think it will greatly benefit Minnesota agriculture.
“If you gross over $500,000 you don’t need to get any help from the federal government,” Dauer told Minnesota Public Radio.
Dauer himself does receive some payments from the federal government, but many of his crops including sweet corn, peas and alfalfa do not qualify for subsidy programs.
He pointed out that many of the larger farms use the money from the government to buy more land and slowly squeeze out small farms. This has a huge impact on Minnesota revenue because according to census, most agriculture sales come from small farms.
Others point out that farms, such as soybean farms, that have a revenue of $500,000 ultimately only make $36,000 a year in the long run. That is well below the average income of Americans.
Regardless of the debate to the “proper” solution, few point out that Obama is offering alternatives for farmers to make extra money. His plan includes subsidy payments for “environmental services” including wind turbines and sequestering carbon on the land.
If you are interested in purchasing, refinancing, or expanding a farm, contact Farm Plus. Farm loans are available at low rates. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Many new policies and bills are going into affect with new administration. One current bump in the road includes a bill that prohibits any state agency from requiring farmers or ranchers to register farm animals. The bill opposing “The Freedom to Farm Act” passed on Feb. 11 did not gain enough support in the Senate committee.
The opposing bill was sponsored by Rep. Roy Ragland (R.). The bill is in response to the Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Identification System implemented after the mad-cow disease epidemic in 2003.
“It’s just going to be like a giant IRS keeping up with every animal,” Ragland said.
“The bill would prevent the state of Arkansa from implementing the national animal ID system in advance of any federal moves and also send a strong message to the USDA that the farmers in the state of Arkansas do not want this burden weighing on their shoulders,” he said.
The government’s intentions are not to put a burden on anyone. The idea behind the identification program is to have the ability to track illness back to its origin quickly and prevent further outbreaks.
If you are interested in purchasing a farm now is the perfect opportunity. Farm loans are available with low rates. Call Farm Plus today at 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
It is a common trend, according to the latest census, in many parts of the country- large farms are declining, but small farms are quickly increasing in numbers. It is no different in New England. Vineyards and farms are snatching up fewer acres, and finding success.
“The face of farming is changing here,” Westport Vineyards owner Rob Russell told the East Bay. “The type of farms that you see emerging are smaller, sometimes operated as a second job or by retirees who are generally looking to grow things they can sell directly to the customer.”
Farmers believe their success is mostly from the concern people have about where there food comes from. In the recent years there have been many food scares, people want to know what they are eating is safe.
“Food from local farms travels less distance, is less processed, less touched,” Lydon Family Tomatoes’ owner Mike Lydon said. He thinks people have more confidence in food grown by local people instead of relying on government inspectors to catch problems.
The vice president of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, Tyler Young, added, “We still can’t rely on the small growers to supply all that we need, but I think it is a wonderful trend.”
Young noted that the drastic change is heavily influenced by the increase cost of factors such as fuel and other supplies.
For those interested in purchasing a farm - large, medium or small- farm loans are available. Farm Plus Financial works with government agencies to obtain loans for customers who want to make their farming dreams a reality. Now is the perfect time to obtain a farm loan with incredibly low interest rates. Call 866-929-5585 or visit Farm Plus online for information about farm loans.
Although there are obvious ways such as “non-till farming” to save fuel and fertilizer use and precision irrigation to save water, officials are suggesting innovated ways to make the change.
Using or producing renewable energy is exactly that. Renewable energy can be harvested on farms and the best part is farms can get credit from the government if they choose to do so.
Some farmers produce canola oil to use in biodiesel-powered vehicles, whereas some dairy farmers capture methane gas produced by cows to use in fuel that powers electricity.
Farms may also be energized or produce energy by solar systems, wind turbines, small hydropower facilities and geothermal systems.
For more information download a brochure on renewable energy here.
If you would like to start a green farm or if you’d like to acquire cash through a refinance for green improvements to your property contact Farm Plus Financial. Farm loans are available today and a representative is ready to assist you with farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Many powerful farm lobbiest are not seeing eye to eye with President Obama after he announced his budget includes a proposal to cut government subsidies to large farms.
President George W. Bush suggested similar ideas but was fought off by the same lobbyists.
Bush planned to limit annual farm subsidy payments to $250,000, and Obama’s plan looks very similar. Obama wants to eliminate one type of subsidy to farms with sales over $500,000. This subsidy is in the form of direct payments.
According to an Agiculture Department spokesman this change would affect 81,000 farms, or 4 percent across the United States.
Rice and cotton farms would be most effected. These large farms are spread across California, Texas and the Southeast.
Many suspect that Republicans who represent cotton and rice will fight hard against this proposal alongside Democrats from the Plain States.
The spokesperson also pointed out that although this is not a good thing for large farms, ultimately medium to small sized farms will see more money coming their way, especially those growing soy beans and corn.
If you are interested in purchasing a farm please contact Farm Plus for more information on farm loans. Farm loans are available, call 866-929-5585 or visit online.
