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Archive for the ‘Minnesota Farm Loans’ Category
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The United States Department of Agriculture released its annual survey of organic production. Minnesota graced the top ten with $69 million in sales.
Overall America had $3.16 billion in organic sales in 2008 and Minnesota was the seventh highest contributor.
The state was the top state for organic soybeans. It was also the third for barley, oats and corn.
In 2008 Minnesota had 550 organic farms, 84 which converted that year. The top state was California with 2,000 farms.
Interested in making the transition to organic but fear the costs? Need money for extra supplies or growth? Contact Farm Plus today for information on our low-rate farm loans. See our rate sheet here or call us at 866-929-5585 for more information.
Tags: minnesota, organic ranking
Posted in Minnesota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s economist, Su Ye released an annual report recapping Minnesota’s numbers from 2008.
According to the report in 2008 agriculture was the second largest industry in the state supplying over 1.5 million jobs.
The industry made $3 billion from cash receipts, most importantly corn and soybeans crops. This accounts for 60 percent of the sales. Livestock is attributed to the other 40 percent of sales. Hog sales brought in $2 billion, dairy brought in $1.7 billion and calves were accountable for $1.1 billion.
In 2008 Minnesota was the sixth largest producer in the nation with 81,000 farms in the state.
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: Agriculture outlook, minnesota
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
Minnesota businesses and farmers have been granted $3 million worth of loans available from the USDA.
The loans are part of a $62.5 million national loan campaign from the USDA for renewable energy projects and energy efficient projects. The program is allotted for 705 projects nationwide. The money is available through the Rural Energy for America Program.
“President Obama and I are committed to helping rural businesses become more energy efficient - it’s good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for the workers and customers who depend on the goods and services these businesses provide,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Loans in Minnesota were generally around $50,000. The largest grants were $250,000 and $598,857 to South Central Grain and energy in Hector.
Inflation fears? Refinance with Farm Plus before farm loan rates rise. We have farm loan rates starting at 2.99% with 25 year terms. See or rate sheets here or call, toll free, 866-929-5585.
Tags: minnesota, renewable energy, usda, wind farms
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
The American Wind Energy Association released data announcing the top states currently producing wind energy and those that have plans for future wind power projects.
1. Texas. Texas currently has 7,907 megawatts of wind power. 1,102 megawatt are in construction now.
2. Iowa. Iowa has 2,883 megawatts and 210 under construction.
3. California. California has 2,653 megawatts of wind power with 125 under construction.
4. Minnesota. With 1,803 megawatts across the state of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota comes in fourth.
5. Washington. Washington is right behind Minnesota with 1,479 megawatts.
6. Oregon. Oregon currently has 1,363 megawatts of wind power with 126 under construction.
7. New York. New York has 1,262 megawatts today, with 21 under construction.
8. Colorado. As the eighth top state in the United States, Colorado has 1,068 megawatts of wind powered electricity.
Wind power is a growing trend among farms because the government offers great subsidies. For more information on subsidies and farm loans contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus has many low-rate farm loans for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 for more information on farm loans or visit online.
Tags: renewable energy, wind farm, wind power
Posted in Calfornia Farm Loans, Colorado farm loans, Iowa farm loans, Minnesota Farm Loans, Oregon farm loans, Washinton Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, only a small percentage of fatalities and injuries on Minnesota roads are due to farm vehicles.
In 2007, five people died and 84 were injured with farm vehicles. Compared to the 510 killed and 35,318 that were injured this is an incredibly small number.
According to Lt. Jeff Westrum of the state patrol, the most farm accidents occur in spring. This is due to the planting and plowing season. Less accidents happen in mid-summer during hay-cutting and harvesting in the fall.
“Because of their size, they take a big piece of roadway, which they are legally allowed to do,” he said. Farm vehicles move slowly so drivers sometimes hit them from behind. “People just aren’t giving them enough room,” Westrum said. He also added that people are impatient and try to pass when they do not have enough room.
Lisa Behnken, an Extension Office crop specialist in Rochester said that another problem is the size of implements. This causes farmers to avoid smaller gravel roads where bridges aren’t big enough, and like most vehicles tractors have blind spots, too.
In general people are warned to take time and be extremely cautious in these driving situations.
If you are interested in farm loans please contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: farm equipment accidents, minnesota
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its annual Prospective Plantings report on March 31. The report indicates that corn acreage will be down 1 percent in comparison to 2008 while soybean acreage will slightly increase.
Minnesota growers are estimated to plant 7.6 million acres of corn in 2009, down from 7.7 million. Iowa growers will plant 13.2 million, down from 13.3 million.
Overall it will be the third largest year of corn acreage across the country. The plan is 85 million acres of corn for all purposes, and only in 1949, 2007 and 2008 did farmers plant more than that.
The decrease comes after the demand for ethanol and livestock industries has lessened and there is less need for corn to export overseas.
The lack of exports is blamed on the falling value of the dollar. The National Corn Growers Association wants to find ways to increase demand through ethanol and the livestock industries.
Although corn production is expected to be down, soybean production will increase. In Iowa 9.85 million acres of soybeans will be planted when only 9.75 million were planted last year. Minnesotan producers will produce less soybeans then last year, only 7.0 million acres in 2009. Overall soybean production is expected to hit 81 million acres, slightly more than last year.
If you’re seeking a farm loan for a purchase, refinance, or expansion, Farm Plus Fiancial offers farm loans with historically low interest rates and fixed terms up to 30 years. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: corn, usda
Posted in General, Iowa farm loans, Minnesota Farm Loans | No Comments »
Monday, April 6th, 2009
In 2007 three Minnesota counties alone had 986 dairy farms. With the 50 percent decrease in dairy prices, farmers are struggling.
A statement released by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the USDA is planning to step up and assist dairy farmers by purchasing dairy products from the market and make them available to food pantries, school food programs and Indian reservation programs.
The USDA plans to buy 200 million pounds of dry milk. The program is not expecting to fully solve the current economic problem, but the USDA wants to help farmers who are in need. “There’s more to bed one,” Klobuchar said. “I am completely sympathetic to our dairy farms.”
Farmers and agriculture figures are excited about the plan. Bob Lefebvre of the Minnesota Milk Producer Association told the St. Cloud Times he thinks “it certainly is a step in the right direction.”
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) agrees. He said, “This is a win-win situation that will offer relief to our nation’s dairy farmers who are suffering from high input costs and declining milk prices and to low-income American families who are finding it harder to put healthy food on the table during these difficult economic times.”
If you are interested in purchasing farm land now is a great time to do it. Low rate farm loans are available through Farm Plus today. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: dairy, dairy farms, milk, usda
Posted in General, Minnesota Farm Loans | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
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.
Tags: minnesota, obama, subsidies
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Minnesota officials are working with Congress to rework the Green Acres act.
The Green Acres act was enacted to help farmers resist development of farmlands. The program was generated four decades ago when Minnesotians noticed the effects of suburbanization.
As of late, farmers want changes because taxes are extremely high. For example, taxes on a 140-acre farm went from $2,300 to $11,000.
Green Acres was looked at last year and breezed past. Many lawmakers took little time to work in changes that met the needs of farmers. The state’s top property tax administrator said, “if we had it to do all over again, we’d certainly like to spend more time on those provisions—we didn’t.”
The goal of the Green Acres program was to keep taxes low enough that farmers were not tempted to give into suburbanization. Government is currently listening to tax payer’s concerns and will be reworking or repealing the act.
If you are interested in purchasing a Minnesota farm please contact Farm Plus today. Farm loans are available for agriculture land and a representative will answer any questions you may have about farm loans, rates are at historic lows, now is a good time. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online.
Tags: green acres act, minnesota
Posted in General, Minnesota Farm Loans | No Comments »
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