Crop Insurance Interest Accrual Deferred

/in , , /by

USDA’s Risk Management Agency will defer accrual of interest for all farmer’s spring 2019 crop year premiums, due to the extreme weather conditions, for two months or until November 30. That’s for all policies with a premium billing date of August 15. According to the USDA, any premium not paid by one of these new deadlines will accrue interest consistent with terms of the policy. Without the deferral, policies with an August 15 premium billing date would have an interest attach starting October 1 if policies weren’t paid by September 30.

Read more.

U.S. Dry Bean Council Holds Summer Board Meeting

/in , , , , /by
The U.S. Dry Bean Council’s summer board meeting took place July 19 and 20 in Snowmass, Colorado in conjunction with the U.S. Dry Bean Convention. This year’s meeting focused on USDBC’s response to the current trade environment and the downturn in global exports.
 
The Agricultural Affairs and International Promotion Committees both discussed and defined several new approaches to shoring up global markets and expressing industry policy priorities. That includes another Washington D.C. Fly-In in the spring of 2020, and the implementation of several new trade opportunities under the new Agricultural Trade Promotion program.
 

TransFARMation: Seeking Compromise Between the Farmer and the Lender

/in , /by
Mary Nell Preisler has been involved in the Minnesota Farmer-Lender Mediation Program since the farm crisis of the 1980s and now serves as the statewide coordinator. A farmer in debt has the opportunity to renegotiate, restructure or resolve debt through mediation. “It seems to me that sometimes people are just paralyzed; they don’t know which way to turn.” As a neutral party, the mediator can facilitate open communication and help resolve financial differences.
 
Learn more in the latest edition of TransFARMation.

U.S. Dry Bean Convention Presentations Now Online

/in , /by
The U.S. Dry Bean Convention took place in Snowmass, Colorado July 20-23. During business sessions, attendees heard from the U.S. Dry Bean Council, got an update on international markets and listened to U.S. and Canadian crop updates. Also speaking at convention was NDSU Extension crops economist Frayne Olson on trade, tariffs and the crop market outlook.
 
The presentations from convention can be found here.

U.S. Dry Bean Convention Begins this Weekend

/in , , , , /by
The U.S. Dry Bean Convention kicks off tomorrow in Snowmass, Colorado. During business sessions, attendees will hear from the U.S. Dry Bean Council, get an update on international markets, listen to U.S. and Canadian crop updates and more. Also speaking at convention is NDSU Extension crops economist Frayne Olson on trade, tariffs and the crop market outlook.
 
A full schedule of events can be found here.

Northarvest Holds Summer Board Meeting

/in , /by
The Northarvest Bean Growers Association held two productive days of board meetings at Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail, Minnesota. Programs and budgets were approved for 2019/2020, with many projects in place for the upcoming year. LeRoy Stumpf from Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson’s office shared an update and also heard from Northarvest dry bean growers. Thank you to the farmer-led board for all your hard work and dedication to the dry bean industry!

RRV Ag Celebration Event Coming Up

/in , /by
The Red River Valley Ag Celebration event is on the calendar. Northern Crops Institute Executive Director Mark Jirik is helping to organize this event. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of change in this region in the past ten, 20, 30, 50 years and this region is better than most in taking those challenges head on and figuring out how to adapt, change and do better with what we have.” 
 
This event will also celebrate the career of Dave Torgerson, who recently retired from the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers. The Red River Valley Ag Celebration will be held Tuesday at Mentor, Minnesota. Preregistration is requested.

New Early Riser Planter Configurations

/in , /by

Case IH is expanding the 2000 series Early Riser planter lineup with two new 60-foot configurations for the 2160 large front-fold model. Features include a hydraulic lift on split rows for fast conversion between 15-inch row and 30-inch row crops, precision seed placement and singulation and the ability to plant specialty crops

In a Down Ag Economy, Focus on What You Can Control

/in , , /by
In today’s current economy, the average and below average business managers are at risk. Virginia Tech professor emeritus Dr. David Kohl made that point at a Bell Bank event in Fergus Falls and Moorhead. Kohl said farmers must know their numbers, monitor finances and execute a marketing and risk management plan.
 
“You’re not going to make a profit every time, but if you focus on fundamentals and manage around the things that you can control, the odds will be in your favor.” According to Kohl, 83 percent of the U.S. farm balance sheet assets are in farmland.
 

USDA Extends Acreage Reporting Deadline for MN and ND

/in , , /by

Due to heavy moisture and flooding, USDA is extending the deadline for farmers to report spring seeded crops in 12 states, including Minnesota and North Dakota. That means farmers in those states will have until July 22 to file an acreage report at their local Farm Service Agency office and crop insurance agents. Producers not in the selected states must file reports or be added to a county register by July 15.

USDA is encouraging farmers to make an appointment with their county office. Acreage reports will be considered filed on time as long as an appointment is scheduled before the deadline, even if the appointment happens after the deadline. A timely acreage report helps farmers maintain eligibility for USDA conservation and disaster assistance, crop insurance and farm loan programs.