Farm Science Review Breaks New Ground

Ohio’s premier agricultural event, Farm Science Review (FSR), will take place September 17-19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.

FSR attracts more than 130,000 farmers, growers and producers from the U.S. and Canada who come to learn about the latest in agricultural research, products and services and to experience educational exhibits, presentations and demonstrations relating to natural-resource management and the crop and livestock industries. 

Marking its 51st year, this year’s theme “Break New Ground” will showcase the latest technology, equipment and innovations in the agriculture industry today.

Experts from The Ohio State University will discuss topics ranging from farming techniques to improving water and soil quality and combating invasive species.

According to the FSR website, this year’s three-day event will also feature:

• Daily harvesting, strip-tilling, global positioning, manure and tillage demonstrations
• Information about farm health and safety, farm management programs, financial and economical information, the environment and human and community development
• Antique farm equipment

Three individuals will also be inducted to the FSR Hall of Fame, including Don Breece, past assistant director of the Agriculture and Natural Resources program at The Ohio State University Extension, the late Dan Kush, an advocate and friend of the Gwynne Conservation Area and Marti Smith, co-owner of American Small Farm. These three individuals have been selected for induction in recognition of their contributions to the success of the Farm Science Review.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Are you planning to attend Farm Science Review? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?

Photo obtained from: fsr.osu.edu

A Very Good Year: USDA forecasts record farm income, with strong key ratios

Guest author Bryce Knorr, published Farm Futures story

While farmers worry about falling crop prices and rising land costs, the government’s forecasting a rosy outlook for 2013.

USDA’s latest estimates project record net farm income for 2013 of $128.2 billion. Even when adjusted for inflation, which is up more than 400% in the last four decades, this year’s income could be second only to the results from 1973.
 
USDA’s projections show 2012 income faltered a bit due to the historic drought, falling $5.1 billion, or 4%, from 2011, the previous record for income in “nominal” dollars that were not adjusted for inflation. But in 2011, both livestock and crop farmers prospected. The government’s latest forecast shows gains would be uneven in 2013.

Sales from crop production would rise 11%, as growers benefit from prices that are still 
historically high. Livestock producers, by contrast, would foot the bill for higher feed costs. Their sales are forecast to rise just 3%.

The government’s forecast doesn’t project differences in key financial ratios between crop and livestock producers. But it’s likely the balance sheets of growers would fare better than those involved in animal production. USDA forecasts an 8% increase in farm assets over the year, likely due to rising farmland values. Real estate would increase 8%, while the value of livestock declines 1%. Farm machinery would take a big jump, rising 9%. Non-real estate debt would rise faster than real estate debt, which would drop. Overall farm equity is expected to grow 8%.

Financial ratios would continue to reflect that strengthening balance sheet, assuming land values hold up. The overall farm debt-to-asset ratio would fall to just 10.2%, the lowest since USDA began tracking the measure of solvency in 1960. Interest as a percentage of both income and expenses would also fall to record lows. Even return on equity, which began to falter under the weight of rising land values from 2006 to 2010, would edge higher to 5.2%.

While the forecast doesn’t account for any change in farm program spending, in the current environment that might not matter, for now. Direct government payments as a percentage of net farm income are expected to fall to 8%, their lowest level since the 1970s.

Photo obtained from: http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2013-march/farm-income-forecast-to-remain-high-in-2013.aspx#.UWWFFhmvzHw

Proposed water quality rules for Ohio farmers

Comment period closes tomorrow for proposed water quality rules affecting Ohio farmers.

The draft legislation, reported last week by Ohio’s Country Journal and Farm and Dairy aims to improve the health of our state’s waterways by increasing regulation on the use of nutrients in agriculture.

While the proposed legislation lacks detail, as reported by Ohio’s Country Journal, it does outline the elements that could impact Ohio farmers most.

Fertilizer Applicator Certification Program: Farmers applying nutrients to more than 10 acres of land would need to be certified by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). The ODA would also be granted the authority to develop and implement this program.

Watershed Classification System: This would permit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to classify watersheds of concern as either critical natural resource areas or watersheds in distress. Sources and causes of ag pollution would then be analyzed which would result in the development of management plans to address the findings. 

The key difference for farmers with land in areas classified as watersheds in distress would be the obligation to follow approved operation and nutrient management plans as devised by the ODNR. Whereas farmers in critical natural resource areas will be encouraged to participate voluntarily in these measures.

Ag pollution re-defined: The meaning of ag pollutants would expand beyond the current definition of ‘sediment, manure or materials attached to sediment’ to include nutrients containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In effect, giving authority to ODNR to devise and enforce nutrient management plans for all kinds of fertilizer.

As many are aware, the rules are a result of Governor John Kasich’s task force formed in 2011 to address Ohio’s water quality issues. It will be interesting to follow how the draft legislation unfolds, following this unusually brief comment period.

Photo obtained from: 
http://fishhabitat.org/partnership/ohio-river-basin-fish-habitat-partnership

What is Community Supported Agriculture all about?

As more consumers seek locally grown and produced foods, Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions or CSAs have begun to grow in popularity.

Through a CSA subscription, individuals become “shareholders” in a local farm or group of farms. For their upfront investment, subscribers are provided regularly scheduled baskets, boxes or bags filled with the farm’s bounty during the growing season. Items could include fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs. Some CSAs offer home delivery, but most designate a regular weekly pick-up spot, such as a local farmer’s market.

However, being a shareholder also means sharing the farmer’s risk that some crops could do poorly due to pests or bad weather, and members pay the same whether it’s a bumper or bust year for crops. In some cases, being a shareholder could also include working around the farm for a few hours, but that’s not typical with most CSAs.

Before jumping on the CSA bandwagon, the Local Harvest website recommends considering the following questions:
• Do you like to cook and do you have time to prepare homemade meals?
• Do you think its fun to try new vegetables and fruits?
• How will you handle excess produce?
• Are you willing to accept the risks associated with being a shareholder?

If you decide to sign up for a CSA, it’s important to do your research. Many farms around Ohio offer CSAs and several are featured on a list from Our Ohio.

Before selecting a CSA, here are some questions you should ask the farmer or representative before subscribing:
• What type of produce do you grow?
• Do you purchase produce from other farmers or growers?
• What else might be included in my CSA delivery?
• Where and when do I pick up? Do you deliver?
• What happens if I’m on vacation?
• Does the CSA offer storing and cooking instructions?
• What is the farmer’s background and training?
• Do you have references or testimonials to share?

Do you or are you planning to subscribe to a CSA this year? If yes, please share your experience with me.

Photo obtained from: www.njfamily.com

Commodity Classic Brings Farmers Together

For farmers who want to be in-the-know about agriculture trends, issues and the future of farming, Commodity Classic, America’s largest farmer-led, farmer focused convention and trade show, is the event to attend.

The Commodity Classic website describes the three-day experience as a can't-miss event for America's soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum farmers. It provides farmers with an opportunity to see the latest farming innovations first-hand, hear game-changing ideas from the people who created them and meet growers and ag leaders from across the nation.

An annual event, Commodity Classic is presented by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.

This year’s convention and trade show recently took place in Kissimmee, Florida, and proved to be very successful with record attendance totaling more than 6,000, including a record number of more than 3,000 corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers.

Farmers in attendance were offered a wide range of learning and networking opportunities in the areas of production, policy, marketing, management and stewardship.

There was even an opportunity for Ohio farmers to share their thoughts about how they plan to manage their risk in 2013. Watch this Ohio’s Country Journal interview to see what farmers near you are saying.

And, for the fourth time, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to attendees, this time encouraging farmers to continue pushing Congress for a five-year Farm Bill.

If you missed this year’s Commodity Classic, don’t worry. It will be taking place again next year from February 27 to March 1 in San Antonio, Texas.

Did you attend Commodity Classic this year or have you gone in the past? If so, what have you learned from the event? Would you recommend it to another farmer?

Photo obtained from: www.agweb.com

Farmers have a census of their own

While it may be common knowledge that our nation conducts a census of the population every ten years, did you know that a special survey of the agricultural community is conducted every five years?

The Census of Agriculture began as part of the 1820 census and by 1840, it was decided that separate data collection would be conducted specific to farming. Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service is wrapping up its collection of census forms for the 2012 Census of Agriculture.

The deadline for farmers to return their forms was originally February 4, however the USDA is still accepting submissions, according to a recent press release.

The census is more than an opportunity for farmers to stand up and be counted. The data gathered is important to a host of decisions made about agriculture. In the USDA’s release, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack explains the importance of the census.

“Information from the Census of Agriculture helps USDA monitor trends and better understand the needs in agriculture. Providing industry stakeholders, community leaders, lawmakers and individual farm operators with the most comprehensive and accurate U.S. agricultural reports, we all help ensure the tools are available to make informed, sound decisions to protect the future of American agriculture.”

With issues such as the farm bill and crop insurance at stake, policymakers could use data from the census to make better-informed decisions.

The census covers a broad range of areas within farming, from production practices to land use. By law, farmers receiving a census form must complete it, including producers with more than $1,000 in product sales last year. According to a recent article, the 26-page form takes an average of 50 minutes to complete.

If you are a farmer and have questions about the Census of Agriculture, resources are available at www.agcensus.usda.gov or by calling 1-888-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828).

Have you or farmers in your community participated in this year’s census? Do you see the value of collecting this information?

Photo from www.census.gov 

Outlook for value of Buckeye State farmland is bright

The financial value of Ohio’s farmland appreciated in 2012 and should continue to rise this year, according to a recent report by Barry Ward, a production business management expert at The Ohio State University Extension.

According to the report, which cites data from the Ohio Ag Statistics Service, the value of Ohio’s bare cropland increased 13.6 percent last year, from $4,400 per acre to $5,000 per acre.

“With many dollars and buyers chasing farmland, it isn’t a surprise to see land values increase again substantially in 2012,” according to the report. “Crop profitability along with low interest rates have been the primary drivers in this unprecedented run-up in cropland values. The relative scarcity of farmland has also been a driver in cropland values.”

Ward believes that the outlook for 2013 is for continued growth with the “potential for strong profits.” Farmers are expected to buy up land this year based on their strong balance sheets. Ward also states that investors are closely examining farmland as an alternative investment opportunity.

Other experts believe that regional farmland values – while not in the kind of bubble that eventually burst in the housing market and with Internet stocks – may see a downward correction, according to an AgWeb.com article.

In spite of strong fundamentals such as high commodity prices and low interest rates, factors such as changes in America’s ethanol-based Renewable Fuel Standard and the outcome of farm bill legislation could help shift the multiyear trend of increasing farmland values in the midwest, experts say.

Do you see farmland values continuing to increase? Would you consider buying Ohio farmland this year?

Photo by Peter Bohan, Reuters

For farmers, there’s an app for that

Some readers may recall the craze throughout the country surrounding FarmVille, the social media game developed by Zynga in 2009. FarmVille quicky became the hottest game played on Facebook, the popular social networking site. But just as kids and adults of all ages can pretend to farm, real farmers throughout Ohio and the nation are using today’s technology for more than just casual fun – it has become an integral part of their business.

Farmers have been utilizing smartphone technology at a quicker pace than the overall population. A Successful Farming study showed that 55 percent of farmers own a cell phone capable of running applications or “apps.” Contrast that with a Pew study in which 35 percent of the population has a smartphone.

In fact, another Successful Farming survey found that more than 70 percent of respondents access agriculture-related information and services from their cell phone.

The benefits of smartphone apps available to farmers vary from conveniently storing important crop data to projecting yields and providing the latest ag news.

For example, Optimizer 2.0 uses a farm’s location, variety of seed, soil type and other variables to project corn yield and indicate the most limiting factor on the farm.

The Growing Degree Days app helps farmers predict when their crops will mature. The app reviews current and historic data based on the location of the farm.

CropNAtion is a farmers’ social network to share information and crop photos as well as explore regional trends.

If you wish to explore the range of apps available, consider CropLife’s list of the 10 best apps for 2012 and 2013.

In addition, the December 2012 edition of Farm Futures includes an article about more than a dozen smartphone apps.

How has smartphone technology impacted your farm?

Photo from dailycaller.com

Growing Ohio Hops

According to The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), the state’s beer manufacturers spend an estimated $4 million a year purchasing hops — an essential component of beer — from out-of-state growers. In response, OARDC is launching a first-of-its-kind research program in an effort to increase home-grown hops production.

Beginning this fall, OARDC’s research will evaluate new hop cultivars, production techniques, harvesting, processing and even marketing tools. Early research has shown that hops could be grown in the sandy soil near Lake Erie as well as the heavy clay soil of southern Ohio.

“This will allow Ohio’s beer manufacturers to spend their money in Ohio by purchasing Ohio-grown hops and ultimately help create Ohio jobs,” said Brad Bergefurd, an OSU extension agriculture educator in a recent OARDC news release. “This crop may allow Ohio growers to diversify into a high-value specialty crop.”

Currently, most of U.S. hops production takes place in the northwestern corner of the nation. With the growth of microbreweries throughout Ohio, the demand for hops is certainly increasing. While some hops are already grown in the state, it’s mostly on a small scale or by home brewers with garden space.

OSU researchers estimate that within the first year growers can expect a hops yield of 200 to 1,800 pounds per acre with an estimated value of $2,000 to $25,200. By the second year, researchers estimate 500 to 2,200 pounds per acre valued at $7,000 to $30,800.

Now, that’s something for Ohio growers to be “hoppy” about!

What do you think about homegrown-hops production? Is this a good idea for Ohio growers?



Photo obtained from: myessentia.com 

Extreme weather takes a bite out of Ohio’s apple crop

October is National Apple Month, but for growers impacted by this year’s unusual weather it will be a bittersweet celebration.

According to a recent article in The Columbus Dispatch, extreme weather during the spring and summer has cut Ohio’s apple harvest almost in half. Last month, the U.S.D.A reported that nearly 40 percent of fruit crops in Ohio were in poor condition. Only four percent of the state’s apple crop was considered in excellent condition.

“This is one of the worst seasons I’ve experienced,” said Ken Golding, a Perry Township-based grower, in The News Herald. “Out of all the years I’ve been growing apples, there are only two other years we’ve had this kind of problem.”

The problem for apple growers was a laundry list of climate conditions, including an unusually warm spring and a brutal summer drought. Apple trees bloomed early this year, in March instead of April, leaving them susceptible to frosts.

As a result, Andy Lynd, an apple grower in Pataskala, told The Columbus Dispatch that the drought has reduced the size of his orchard’s apples and overall crop. The drought might also have long-term ramifications for his trees.

“We lost some newly planted trees to drought,” said Lynd.  “Most of them survived, but they just didn’t grow.”

For consumers, a smaller apple crop will mean higher prices. However, the upside is that this year’s crop of apples should be sweeter and more flavorful than in other years.

To make the most of this season’s limited, but tasty apple crop, here are some tips from www.ohioapples.com on how to select, store and prepare apples:

• Select apples that are bruise-free and handle apples gently to prevent bruising
• Select apples that are firm to the touch for the best flavor and crunchiness
• Store apples in the refrigerator to slow ripening and maintain flavor
• Wash individually sold apples in cool water before serving
• Store apples away from strong-smelling foods to prevent them from absorbing unpleasant odors
• Coat apple slices in a mixture of one part lemon juice to three parts water or 100-percent apple juice to reduce browning

Photo obtained from: michfb.com

Preview: 2012 Farm Science Review

A yearly agriculture event, the Farm Science Review (FSR), marks its 50th anniversary this year in Ohio.

Taking place September 18, 19 and 20, the FSR attracts nearly 140,000 visitors from the U.S. and Canada who come to learn about the latest in agricultural research, products and services, and experience educational exhibits, presentations and demonstrations relating to natural-resource management and the crop and livestock industries. 

According to its website, this year’s three-day event will feature:

• Millions worth of machinery
• The Ohio Farmer Conservation awards — Thursday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m.
• Farm, home and health-safety information 
• Hands-on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) demonstrations 
• Conservation-practice programs 
• Harvesting, strip-tilling, global positioning, manure and tillage field demonstrations 
• Equipment demonstrations focused on improved nutrient placement

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Three individuals will also be inducted to the FSR Hall of Fame, including Professor Jim Beurlein with The Ohio State University, Mike Gahn, DuPont Pioneer representative and Dr. Bobby Moser, past vice president and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.

FSR is located at The Ohio State University’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, and is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

Are you planning to attend this year’s Farm Science Review? If so, what are you most interested in learning about and/or seeing?

Photo obtained from: http://fsr.osu.edu/

Farm Bill Scenarios

Congressional legislation is usually hotly contested and last minute, but the looming expiration of the Farm Bill September 30 is especially thorny. 

“I’m not sure which day, I’m not sure which month, but there will be a new farm bill,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, as reported in an Agri-Pulse story.

Why so complicated? A Chicago Tribune story notes election-year politics, a deeply divided Congress and limited days for congressional action — Congress is in session for only eight days when it resumes September 10. Agri-Pulse notes the several “very important priorities” also requiring congressional attention such as “military sequestration, tax code issues and a continuing resolution to address spending for the next six months.” An Argus Leader story notes “uncertainty from lawmakers about proposed nutrition program reforms within the bill and lack of interest from those in urban areas.” 

But, it’s not only farmers and producers whom are affected by the delay.

“It's not just important to the people who work the land, it's important to everybody who buys food in the grocery store," said Pam Johnson, an Iowa farmer quoted in a Chicago Tribune story. 

“All of us need food, and all of us recognize that when we have a drought like we had this year, it’s going to impact our food prices, it’s going to impact our families,” said Sioux Falls, Rep. Kristi Noem, as reported by Argus Leader.

Industry affiliates such as seed, feed, nutrient and equipment suppliers, ag lenders and others, are also greatly impacted. The Farm Bill determines policies that are crucial to farmers’ and producers’ future business decisions, such as outlays for crop insurance and disaster protection. Not having this forecast doesn’t allow them to have structured financial plans and doesn’t give industry affiliates the ability to estimate projected business traffic.

What can happen?

Farm Bill scenarios after September 30:
•    Pass a bill with regular order
•    Pass a short-term extension of current law
•    Do nothing and therefore revert to the 1949 version of the bill

“The drought has made the need for a renewal of that program extremely urgent,” states the Argus Leader story.   

"Farm Bill Now," a group of 40 farm and agriculture-related organizations, will rally on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol September 12 to lobby lawmakers.

“I’m basically telling both sides that, as the drought has demonstrated in the Midwest this year and in the Southwest the last two years, economic certainty is important to farmers and their bankers and ultimately consumers. Let’s do a farm bill. Let’s do the responsible thing,” said Lucas.

Ohio Farmers Help Foodbanks Fight Hunger

Foodbanks throughout Ohio have experienced increased demand during the recent recession as many cash-strapped families have sought assistance to help put food on their tables.

According to a recent report by Feeding America — the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization — more than 2 million Ohioans are food insecure, which means they don’t always know when or where they’ll find their next meal.

To help Ohio’s foodbanks meet the needs of hungry Ohioans, farmers and producers throughout the state have donated food, including fresh dairy and produce, to keep foodbank shelves stocked.

In June, eight Ohio egg farmers committed 1.5 million eggs to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) — a contribution with the retail value of more than $168,000. Newark-based Tamarack Dairy has made a weekly donation of milk for 13 years to Ohio foodbanks.

Ohio foodbanks also receive fresh food and produce from the state, which totaled more than 7 million pounds in 2011. Nearly 99 percent of the food received from the state is produced in Ohio.

“We value the produce we receive from Ohio farmers,” said Patricia Eilmann, director of Product Resource Development with the Cleveland Foodbank in an ourohio.org article. “We talk to the state three or four times a day to see what is available. We also work with local farmers to procure excess produce.”

Want to learn more about or donate to an Ohio foodbank? Visit www.ohiofoodbanks.org for more information.

Photo obtained from: www.hungerisunacceptable.com

Feeding the World in 2050

Guest author Mark Moore, published Farm Industry News story

Conferences around the world consider how farmers will be able to feed the world’s growing population, which is expected to increase from 7 billion to 9 billion people by 2050.

Agricultural research and development will be very important, just as when it helped farmers keep up when the world’s population doubled over the last 50 years.

But the task looks more difficult ahead. Production research and development must address all types of farms, including the 400 million farms in the world with less than 5 acres each. All farms will be needed to feed the world in the future.

“There will continue to be a decreasing area of agricultural land available per person globally for food production,” says David Leaver, president of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants. For example, in 1967 there were 4.2 acres of cropland/person, and in 2007, just 1.7 acres of cropland/person were available.

Costs and regulations

While private investment in research in the developed world has been strong, overall funding has slowed over the past two decades, especially in the public sector. Adding to this concern is the global economic situation. “When in cases of financial stress, often research and development is the first to suffer,” Leaver says.

Besides funding, there are other tough obstacles for more research and development. One is the intricate maze that a new agricultural product must negotiate to come to market. A myriad of regulatory hurdles throughout the global food chain cost companies millions of dollars to handle.

Julia Wheeler, director of research and development for DuPont Crop Protection, says, “The challenge is the cost required to successfully develop the product and the resources required to bring it to market. To be successful, we must collaborate with regulatory agencies to not only improve food production, but also maintain export opportunities.”

Streamlining and harmonizing regulations would make the entire process more efficient for not only the companies involved, but the countries involved as well.

“Recently, DuPont worked with key regulators in five countries on a Global Joint Review project, in which the regulators collaborated in reviewing the global regulatory dossier,” Wheeler says. “We found that the Global Joint Review process actually reduced the product review time, even though each country conducted its own risk assessment. That’s because by sharing information on the dossier evaluation, each country decreased duplication of effort and reduced the overall amount of work required to register the product.”

Collaboration

Another key for the future of ag research and development will be collaborative efforts among all stakeholders. Already, U.S. farmers have seen collaborations between major ag biotech companies to deliver new products (SmartStax, for example). “Collaboration will be critical to encourage discovery, development and registration of new agricultural products,” Wheeler says. “We can’t operate in a vacuum.”

Leaver is critical of what he sees as “silos,” where information is not readily exchanged among organizations and where some ag research and development currently operates. “Global food security should be the focus of all our initiatives, and we need a coordinated approach to reach that goal,” he says.

Countries such as China are seeing the need to develop a secure food supply and continue to pour a tremendous amount of resources into agricultural research and development. “China is investing a lot in agriculture, especially biotech,” Wheeler says.

But research and development efforts also must include Africa, where food security is critical. Here small farmers remain a vital part of the food supply. Investments in research and development will be crucial to help these farmers contribute to the world’s food supply.

“For 40 years, global food production has kept pace with population growth and per-capita-income growth,” Leaver says. “Agricultural research and development has been a major driver of this increase. The next 40 years will mean similar productivity growth is required to satisfy the continuing rise in food demand.”

Wheeler says removing unnecessary barriers that prevent new technologies from getting into the hands of those who need it is critical to ensure continued investment. “We are in an era of urgent challenges and unique opportunities,” she says. “We must work together to meet these challenges.”

What is ACRE?

At this time of year, most farmers are already thinking about spring planting; however, they should also be considering enrolling in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program.

The ACRE Program provides a safety net based on state revenue losses. When the ACRE program is selected, it substitutes the price-based safety net of counter-cyclical payments as part of the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program.

The United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides farms with a revenue guarantee. The formula multiples the five-year state average by the most recent two-year national price average for each eligible commodity.

Eligible commodities

• Wheat, barley and oats
• Grain sorghum and corn
• Upland cotton
• Rice
• Soybeans
• Other oilseeds: canola, crambe, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, sesame seed and sunflower seed Peanuts
• Dry peas, lentils and small and large chickpeas

For the 2012 crop year, the two-year price average will be based on the 2010 and 2011 crop years. When all criteria are considered, if the target and annual revenue is less than the revenue guarantee, the farm is eligible for support with the ACRE program, assuming that all other qualifications are met.

Because Ohio had two years of record-high grain prices, the revenue guarantee in the ACRE program is very good.

According to Chris Bruynis, assistant professor and Ohio State University Extension educator, ACRE could be the right safety net option for some farmers in Ohio this season because of the strong protection it will offer.

“Examining the numbers and price/yield assumptions, farmers can speculate about the probability of an ACRE payment being triggered in 2012 and if it’s right for them,” Bruynis said.

Bruynis estimates the price guarantee for 2012 corn to be $5.69 per acre and 2012 soybeans to be $11.50 per acre.

An Ohio’s Country Journal article states that the current strong prices do not indicate much potential for ACRE payments in 2012 if yields are average or above average. The ACRE program does, however, offer strong downside protection for what could be very volatile marketing months ahead.

Farmers have until June 1, 2012 to elect and enroll in the ACRE program. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Are you or do you know a farmer who has participated in the ACRE program? What has been your experience with the program? Do you plan to participate in the program?

Photo obtained from: kneb.com










Focus on Farm Females

A special two-day event December 1 and 2 recognized the increasing role of women business leaders within the agricultural industry and the importance of safeguarding their permanence.

“Executive Women in Agriculture (EWA)” at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza in Downtown Chicago, was sponsored by Top Producer – a national, leading farm industry publication.

Engaging more than 100 females of all ages, EWA, was designed to share industry business strategies and insights to help attendants hone skills.
EWA sessions included information about:

• Marketing Basics

• Crop Insurance

• Succession Planning

• Human-Resource Management

• Negotiating Techniques

• Financial Management

• Ag Advocacy

• Networking

“As we transition to the next generation of women farm managers and owners, the need to educate women about farm business practices has never been greater,” stated EWA’s website.

Also according to the website, “In recent years, more women have returned to the farm in management roles and are keeping the farm. Of the 3.3 million U.S. farm operators, more than 30 percent (or more than 1 million) are women.”

Other related stats from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln:

• Total number of women operators has increased 19 percent from 2002 (Outpacing the percent increase of farmers overall)

• Women who were the principal operators in 2002 increased by almost 30 percent to 306,209 in 2010
  

• States with the most female farm operators are:
  1. Arizona – 38.5 percent
  2. New Hampshire – 29.7 percent
  3. Massachusetts – 28.9 percent
  4. Maine – 25.1 percent
  5. Alaska – 24.5 percent
  

Understanding the influence of social media, the conference used the Twitter hashtag #ewa11 to generate online discussions, created a YouTube promotional video and also created a Facebook page to highlight its efforts.

One visitor to the EWA Facebook page posted, “Inspiring, empowering and top-notch women from 25 states!!!!!”

Women’s role in agriculture will only continue to increase. It’s important to continue to foster their outlets for growth to sustain and strengthen American farms. Examples of this include encouraging female teens to join their high-school FFA chapters, and making older women aware of support offerings such as federal grant funding and state agricultural extension services.












The All-American Cranberry

The 2011 cranberry crop is expected to be one of the most plentiful on record, which means that whether you like them sauced, in a mold or straight from a can, there will be plenty of cranberries to enjoy at your Thanksgiving feast.

According to the Cranberry Marketing Committee, cranberries are one of three fruits native to North America — the others being blueberries and Concord grapes. Before they were staples on “Turkey-Day” tables, cranberries were popular with Native Americans, who ate the tart berries fresh, ground or mashed with cornmeal and baked into bread. They also mixed cranberries into pemmican, a winter-survival ration consisting of wild game and melted fat.

Not commonly grown in Ohio, cranberries favor the sandy soil of Wisconsin, which is the top cranberry-producing state in the U.S., followed by Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey and Washington.

Cranberries grow on low-lying vines in beds layered with sand, peat, gravel and clay between May and October. The beds, which are called bogs or marshes, are commonly harvested by flooding the bog or marsh under a foot or two of water. Specialized machines are then used to loosen the buoyant berries, which float to the surface to be gathered and sent for processing. The flooded bogs are then left to freeze to protect the vines during the winter. In the spring, the bogs are drained to allow the plants to be pollinated by bees.

In recent years, cranberries have become more than a holiday side dish. According to The Cranberry Institute, cranberries are a super food loaded with antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help protect against heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

Here are a few facts about cranberries to share around the holiday table:

• There are more than 100 varieties of cranberries
• 20 percent of cranberry consumption in the U.S. happens during Thanksgiving week
• U.S. cranberries are a major export to Europe, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Australia
• American whalers and mariners carried cranberries onboard ships to prevent scurvy
• The pilgrims, who were introduced to the cranberry by Native Americans, began making cranberry juice in 1683

Photo obtained from: thecapelifestyle.com










Agriculture Industry Can Be Thankful

For many, November is the month to celebrate those things for which you are most thankful for throughout the past year. Now, farmers have a bit more to be thankful for because President Obama signed three long-awaited free trade agreements (FTA) among the United States and South Korea, Colombia and Panama October 21.

“For America’s farmers, the trade agreements are an opportunity to strengthen U.S. agriculture,” says Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary. “Farm exports help support more than 1 million American jobs. At this time next year, U.S. agricultural exports will be on track to reach new highs, leading to a trade surplus of more than $42 billion, eight times greater than five years ago.”

When implemented, it is estimated that the South Korea FTA will increase $1.9 billion in U.S. agriculture exports and eliminate two-thirds of its tariffs against U.S. agriculture products; the Colombia FTA will raise $370 million in agriculture exports and eliminate 80 percent of its tariffs; the Panama FTA will raise $46 million in agriculture exports and eliminate 50 percent of it tariffs.

How will these trade agreements specifically benefit crop farmers? An Ohio’s Country Journal article reports the following:

Colombia

• Corn: U.S. corn producers gain immediate access to the Colombian market for 2.1 million metric tons of corn at 0 percent duty-free

• Wheat: Primary market for U.S. wheat in South America

• Soybeans: Elimination of variable tariffs on soybean imports, which has imposed tariffs as much as 150 percent; Phases out the 24 percent tariff for refined soybean oil throughout the next five years

South Korea

• Corn: Third main U.S. corn market and a potentially important market for distillers grains; Imports of U.S. corn for feed enter duty-free

• Soybeans: Soybeans for use in cooking oil and livestock feed enter duty-free; The current tariff on soybeans imported for food uses like tofu and soymilk will be eliminated

Panama

• Corn: Decreases America’s duty charge to level the playing field

• Soybeans: 0 percent tariff treatment for soybeans, soybean meal and crude soybean oil will be locked immediately upon implementation; The 20 percent tariff on refined soybean oil will be phased out in 15 years

This legislation provides Ohio grain, in turn, Ohio farmers, with significant market export opportunities. Crop farmers will be able to more effectively compete on the international trade market and that is definitely something that we can be thankful for.

Photo obtained from: cipcol.org











On Halloween, Thank a Farmer

October 31 is not only Halloween, but it’s also the date that the United Nations (UN) has attributed as the day that 7 billion people will inhabit the planet.

For perspective, on average, four births and two deaths occur every second. By 2050, we’ll require 70 percent more food availability.

The UN population fund executive director said the phenomenon is “both a challenge and an opportunity.”

Perhaps no one is as affected by this event as much as the our food producers — the farmers and ranchers responsible for ensuring safe, affordable, plentiful fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy products to feed the world. Producers are also responsible for other human essentials such as fiber and biofuels.

Because of technology, seed advancements and conservation tactics, our producers are doing more using less land and resources. Agricultural methods that maximize yields while mitigating agricultural impacts include reduced-till or no-till, manure management, nitrogen and fertilizer efficiency technologies. For example:

• Farmers use less fertilizer because advanced equipment provides pinpoint application and seed technologies are constantly improving efficiency
• Reduced tillage and other farm-management practices have reduced soil erosion 43 percent in 20 years
• Improvements in crop-protection products in the past 20 years have made them less toxic and more degradable
• Biotechnology allows farmers to use less synthetic pesticides

In 2008, the UN established the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) for the Global Food Security Crisis, comprising the leaders of its specialized agencies, funds and programs, as well as relevant parts of the UN Secretariat, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Trade Organization. Its primary aim is to promote a comprehensive and unified response to the challenge of achieving global food security.

According to its website, HLTF “outlines activities related to meeting the immediate [food] needs, like investing in food assistance and social safety nets, as well as activities related to the longer-term structural needs, like scaling up investment in agriculture within developing countries, increasing opportunities for producers, pastoralists and fisher folk to access land, water, inputs and post-harvest technologies, focusing on the needs of smallholders, and enabling them to realize their right to food, sustain an increase in income and ensure adequate nutrition.”

The population announcement comes on the heels of significant ag policy changes to the pending 2012 Farm Bill. Several modifications to the existing crop insurance and direct payment structure are being considered that affect the strength of producers’ operations.

“But farmers in the U.S. might have been surprised that the very policy that is in place to help ensure that America’s food production system is efficient and effective – crop insurance – is again under the microscope and was recently targeted by the White House for an additional $8 billion in cuts in the next decade,” stated a recent CropLife story.

Given the milestone, it will be even more interesting to witness the outcome of America’s next Farm Bill. Whatever the result, I’m confident that our farmers and ranchers will continue to be dependable, eco-conscious food providers for years to come.

Photo obtained from: emergencyfoodsecurity.myefoods.com

Perspective: A Declaration of Interdependence

This week, I’m featuring a guest author, John Phipps, a farmer from Chrisman, Ill., TV host of "U.S. Farm Report" and Farm Journal columnist.

*Originally published July 27, 2011 in Top Producer


With our economy struggling to provide employment for all who want to work, references to "jobs" carry powerful overtones. Defenders of agriculture recognize this. They have manufactured a statistic that begs for verification: the number of jobs that "depend on" agriculture. This is usually asserted to be in the vicinity of 20 million.

Nailing down this factoid is tricky. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics is often cited as a source, it does not count "dependent jobs." According to econometricians at the Bureau of Economic Analysis who actually tabulate such numbers, employment in agriculture is about 740,000. So where do the rest come from?

Answer: Anywhere you want. Since farms link to food, for example, you can add any occupation that links to food in any way. It’s the ag equivalent of the "Six Degrees of Separation" game. But what exactly does "depend on" mean? Apparently, you can count occupations on both sides of the value chain.

Do you sell to farmers? You’re dependent. Do you buy from farmers? Ditto. I wonder why they stopped at 20 million.

Conveniently left unexplored is any comparison with other industries. Using the same methodology, how many jobs depend on the petroleum industry? On mining? Until both the definition and context of this number are made plain, it can fairly be seen as arbitrary.

But, setting aside the quality of this claim, there is, I believe, a larger and more hazardous aspect to flogging dependence on agriculture: It is exactly the wrong way to garner support.

Farmers have never been adept at empathizing with other ways of life. The many unique aspects of our work tend to make us think others don’t think and feel the way we do. But our feeling of dependence is a universal human sentiment.

Take our relationship to landowners. Most farmers share my unease with our dependence on the goodwill of someone else just to be able to farm land. Farmer "jobs" clearly depend on landowners. It is one reason we consistently pay "too much" for land—we are buying a chance to escape from that feeling of dependence.

So why do we imagine the rest of America enjoys being reminded that they are dependent on us? Gen. George Marshall said it best: "If you want a man to be for you, never let him feel he is dependent on you. Make him feel you are in some way dependent on him."

Wrong Approach. If I can spot this communication blunder, I am sure the media experts who include it in every "agvocacy" message are aware of it as well. This raises my suspicion that it is not meant as a message to others; it is meant to persuade farmers themselves.

We love to be the ones others are dependent on, and we love even more to hear it. So my rule of thumb is to assume the agvocates are looking to get into my mind/heart/pocket.

Like the misguided self-esteem-parenting scheme of a few years ago, this "bragvocacy" nugget is unhelpful to both our industry and those we serve. It hinders collaborative progress and better understanding of customer needs.

Economic transactions are basically exchanges of dependency. It is why they occur in the first place. My customers depend on me for corn; I depend on them for money. In a willing transaction, those accounts cancel each other out, not accrue in one direction.

Acknowledging our dependence on others does not diminish us. Those who refuse to recognize their reliance cannot prepare themselves for link failures and risk a rude economic shock.

Egocentric "job dependence" sloganeering taints our industry’s business connections with an insinuation of subservience. I prefer to see the interdependence of my farm within the global economy as a network of hard-won, high-value trust.