More in Issues

  • May 7, 2013
    blog

    Financial Shock and Stress Testing

    The other day a young producer was concerned because he had difficulty obtaining his operating loan for yearly operations. He stated that the lender performed financial shock tests that raised concerns about his financial status. Let’s examine some of the financial shock tests that are top of mind with your lender, and particularly the regulators that provide oversight on agricultural loans....More
  • May 7, 2013
    blog

    ACRE Program Decisions for 2013

    The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program was implemented by USDA for the 2009 crop year, as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, and continued for the 2010 to 2012 crop years. For 2013, eligible farm operators will again have the option to enroll in the ACRE Program, as an alternative to the current Counter-Cyclical Payment (CCP) Program....More
  • Apr. 30, 2013
    blog

    Farmland Values and Commodity Prices

    Speaking of webcasts, a banker from Iowa asked an interesting question during a recent webcast. He wanted to know my thoughts on how much farmland prices would be adversely affected in 2014 and 2015 if prices for crops drop below breakeven levels, for example $3-4/bu. corn. Let’s examine this issue that is top of mind with lenders and to a lesser extent with agricultural producers....More
  • Apr. 30, 2013
    blog

    ACRE in 2013: Making Your Decision

    The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) was part of the 2008 Farm Bill and offers an alternative to the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP). The deadline for signup this year is June 3....More
  • Apr. 24, 2013
    video
    Corn and Soybean Digest

    Farmers: Use Social Media to Connect with Consumers

    Michele Payn-Knoper, founder, Cause Matters Corp., talks about how farmers can use social media to tell their stories and connect with consumers and those concerned about food....More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    blog

    Enthusiastic About the Future of Agriculture: Top-10 List, Number 1

    The final reason I am optimistic about agriculture is not one specific reason. It is a combination of reasons based upon my travels, interaction with people and general observations from my past experience and vision into the future....More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    blog

    Earth Day 2013

    For over four decades, an annual event called Earth Day has been held in late April across the United States, which has been a time for all U.S. citizens to reflect on our country’s environmental resources, and what we can do individually and as communities to help enhance our environment for the next generation. In recent years, it has become fashionable to point the finger of blame at agriculture and farmers for many environmental issues....More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    video
    Corn and Soybean Digest

    No More Food Fights: Understanding Farmer and Foodie Perspective

    In an effort to break stereotypes, the book describes farmers who don’t wear overalls but who do use technology in producing food and preserving the environment, dairy farmers who work on “cow comfort,” and how hard farmers work on sustainability. On the other side, the book reminds farmers that only a tiny percentage of the population lives on a farm and urges farmers to tell their stories through social media and every day conversation to correct mistaken beliefs about food production perpetuated by traditional media....More
  • Apr. 18, 2013
    blog

    What Do You Want to Tell Consumers About Agriculture?

      As Earth Day 2013 draws near, conservation is perhaps more in the forefront of everyone’s mind. However, we in agriculture know that farmers do their best to conserve EVERY day, not just on April 22 every year....More
  • Apr. 16, 2013
    blog

    Concerns About Chinese Soy Demand Grow

    While last Wednesday’s USDA supply/demand report sparked renewed concerns about tight U.S. soybean stocks, ample world soybean stocks and rising worries about Chinese demand seem set to keep pressure on soybean prices....More
  • Apr. 16, 2013
    blog

    Green Shoots in the U.S. Economy

    Despite all the bickering and inaction of our leaders in Washington, D.C., the U.S. economy is like green shoots of grass emerging from the winter doldrums. What are some of the metrics indicating a comeback in the economy?...More
  • Apr. 15, 2013
    blog

    Weather and Planting continue to play to the bullish side!

    Looks like we will remain wetter and cooler here in the US through April.....More
  • Apr. 9, 2013
    blog

    BRICS Nations Losing Economic Steam

    Ouch! Corn prices dropped 70¢/bu. within a two-day period following the release of USDA’s March crop report. Welcome to the wild world of global economics! Are commodity prices being affected by weather and adjustments being made in planting, or are there other concerns on the economic horizon?...More
  • Apr. 8, 2013
    blog

    How Did the USDA Find Nearly 400 Million Bushels of Corn?

    This seems to be the question of the year so far in the corn market........More
  • Apr. 1, 2013
    blog

    Enthusiastic About the Future of Agriculture: Top-10 List, Number 2

    To continue my top-10 countdown, here is my number-two reason to be enthusiastic about agriculture....More
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