With new standards not only are producers accountable, but slaughterhouses as well. The standards will protect young turkeys and chickens from being contaminated. A certain percentage of poultry set aside would be tested for a specific pathogen linked to the illnesses.

“the new standards announced today mark an important step in our efforts to protect consumers by further reducing the incidence of salmonella and opening a new front in the fight against campylobacter,” United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

The USDA said the standards will out salmonella outbreaks down by 26,000 and campylobacter by 39,000 over two years.

After recent outbreaks with lettuce and peanuts, the USDA has put effort towards protecting consumers and putting more confidence in American foods.

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According to a survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, farm income is expected to rise in the Midwest and western states.

The survey found that feed costs are decreasing, so farmers will have to spend less money on feed.

While feed is lowering in price, crop prices fell in the first quarter as well. This caused farm income to decrease in the first quarter, but incomes are expected to recuperate by the end of the second quarter. Some producers may even see higher numbers than before the fall. One reason feeds costs are lower is the backstock of corn from farmers waiting for better crop prices.

The price of feed in 2010 was one of the many factors attributed to the current state of the agricultural industry. The lower prices is a sign that things are slowly improving.

The survey was conducted in the 10th District which includes Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and parts of Missouri.

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The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas, covering Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, New Mexico and parts of Missouri, reports that farm values rose by two percent in the first quarter of 2010.

Farm values rose because the demand for farm land in these states is high.

“Cropland values were above year-ago levels, driven primarily be farmer demand, as well as non-farm investors seeking higher rates of return,” the survey by The Fed said. “Ranch land values arose with improved profitability in the livestock sector.”

The survey gathered information from 262 banks in the 10th District. These banks expect the numbers to stay steady through the second quarter.

Farmers most commonly sought farm land, but investors purchased farm land as well. This is not a surprise as loan rates are at historic lows, as is property.

Crop land that is not irrigated rose by 2.8 percent and irrigated land increased by 2.5 percent. Ranch land increased by 1.6 percent as well.

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Farmers across the United States have trouble filling hard, physical seasonal jobs such as picking apples by hand. These producers look to immigrants to help with the jobs because they seem to be the only ones who will do the work. Strict immigration and visa laws have put a damper on hiring seasonal help and farmers want change.

A new visa program with more lenient requirements would allow farmers to keep production steady, or maybe even increase yields according to a number of farmers. Producers encourage an “AgJobs” bill that allows workers to obtain some type of illegal status if they work in the agriculture industry for 150 days or more throughout two years.

Although the recession has helped fill agricultural jobs, many farmers have to cut back crops and production because there are not enough workers to complete the jobs. In February the Obama Administration put tight restrictions on seasonal agriculture jobs in hopes to fill the work with Americans. Although farmers look to hire Americans for the work, the workforce is not there.

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From October 2009-April 2010 managed honey bee colonies across the United States have decreased by 33.8 percent according to a survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America (IAI) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Causes for the decline include starvation, poor weather and weak colonies trying to survive winter according to the survey. The numbers are comparable to losses suffered in the winter of 2007-2008.
Jeffrey Pettis, research leader of ARS’ Bee Research Laboratory, notes the high rate loss is worrisome especially since numbers were not obtained for summertime losses. The survey team found that 28 percent of beekeeping operations said colonies perished with dead bees present (a symptom of Colony Collapse Disorder) lost 44 percent of their colonies.

The survey was conducted based on interviews, so there was no way to compare the cases that suffered with CCD and those that had losses due to an absense of bees.
22.4 percent of America’s 2.46 million colonies were evaluated in this survey to use as a tool for honeybee producers.

See the survey here.

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April has been a promising month for corn producers with near record numbers on the Chicago Trade Board, and all thanks to a large purchase from China. Soybean producers may be as lucky as harsh weather conditions threaten China’s farmers.

China purchased 120,000 metric tons of oilseed for delivery before September 1 according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The same report states that China ordered an additional 691,000 tons for delivery for the remainder of the year after that.

Bill Nelson, a senior economist for Doane Agricultural Services in St. Louis, said, “Another sale of soybeans to China is supporting the rally. The market is getting a bullish kick from the Chinese purchase of U.S. corn.”

A grain administrator in China added that stockpiles of grain and cooking oil need to be increased to help stabilize prices on the current market.

Farmers are planting extra acres of soybeans to meet the demand according to the USDA. Nelson added, “The fast pace of corn plantings is giving soybeans a boost.”

Farm loan rates starting at 2.95%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.

The United States Department of Agriculture has set new regulations for meat packers to give smaller businesses and poultry producers better leverage in the industry.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the regulations will go into effect in June, but did not specify what changes have been made to the 2008 farm laws after two advocacy groups protests made complaints against the current regulations.

Currently the USDA guidelines favor large corporations over small and medium sized farms. The advocacy groups drew attention to the fact that meat packing is generally dominated by Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill, JBS USA , National Beef Packing Co and Smithfield Foods Inc.

Vilsack noted that the changes would make it easier for groups and producers to make complaints and for the USDA to be able to investigate the complaints and create solutions.

The current farm laws of 2008 prevented price discrimination between large and smaller farms. The laws made sure that larger corporations could not receive better prices for meat packaging. It also made mandated improvements over feed houses and gave swine and poultry producers designated amounts of time to make changes that could cost contracts with meat packers.

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Over the past seven years Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been in California’s state office. Throughout his career he has dealt with a number of agricultural issues in one of the largest farming states in the country. However, producers are looking for a serious change in the industry.

The California Farm Bureau Federation announced its support for republican candidate, Meg Whitman.

“As small business owners, family farmers think it’s important to elect a governor who has had to meet a payroll and cope with all the regulations that California businesses face,” Paul Wenger, president of the federation, said via press release. “Meg Whitman will bring business sense to Sacramento that will help her cure California’s spending problems.”

One of the biggest issues pressing California is water irrigation. The state has been in a drought for over three years. The CFBF is impressed with Whitman’s support of the construction of new reservoirs. Wenger feels that this is an answer to not only help the large agricultural industry in California, but to help create jobs in the industry as well.

Governor elections are set for November.

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Those looking to make energy efficient improvements to businesses (small businesses- including farms and ranches) or add renewable energy to their business should apply for money from the USDA Rural Development agency’s ‘Rural Energy for America’ program. Money is available for these changes. Up to 25 percent of a project may be funded by the USDA Rural Development program and companies can be awards up to $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements or $500,000 for the addition of renewable energy.

The USDA Rural Development agency is looking for solar, geothermal and biomass projects.

“Most rural projects that reduce energy use and result in savings for the small business or agricultural producer are eligible as energy efficiency projects,” said USDA Rural Development spokesperson Harold Alford via press release.

For more information contact your local USDA Rural Development office.

Farm loan rates starting at 2.95%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.

United States House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) said he will stop trying to block a $1.5 million agricultural disaster package presented by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) proposed. This proposition is the first sign that many legislators and producers want changes in the 2012 Farm Bill.

Peterson said he is not going to “stand in the way” because farmers saw this as a problem, he just fears that the new disaster package will cause further problems. “I can’t imagine at the end of the day we’re going to make payments to people who only had a 5 percent loss.”

Most of the disaster package will only benefit farmers in the south, but some perks will affect producers across the country.

Peterson feels this is the first step in changes for the next Farm Bill. He gives props to the dairy industry for developing a new approach to current farm policies and feels it would benefit other industries to do the same.

He adds that one major change under debate for the 2012 Farm Bill is to include rural development in the bill. Although USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack feels this is one of the most important factors in the agriculture industry, Peterson could not disagree more. According to Peterson rural development and the farm program “are two different issues.”

The House Agriculture Committee is currently meeting with producers across the country to discuss what they would like in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.