Farm Lending Study Shows Importance of Planning

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, BASF, Farm Progress Show, Financing

BASF has released the results of a 2015 study that examined the role and influence agricultural uncertainties, such as volatile markets, weather, and disease, have on the current agricultural-lending landscape, and how growers can plan to place themselves in the best position to receive a loan.

BASF surveyed agricultural lenders, asking them about their outlook for next year, and how they’re approaching farm financing decisions. The key finding centered on the undeniable value of a grower who, regardless of uncertainties, can maintain an efficiency-centered mindset, provide a proven history of success, and also has a plan for success in the future.

fps-basf-brady“Eighty-eight percent of lenders said that if a grower brings in a plan to maximize their opportunities and mitigate their risk, they would factor that into their decision making about operating lines of credit in farm financing,” said Brady Spangenberg, BASF Market Intelligence & Research Manager, during an interview at Farm Progress Show, “That’s really the key. Ag lenders are looking at the long term, how a grower has managed the swings over the past 10 years and still has been consistently successful year in and year out.”

BASF is hoping that the study will help farmers see the importance of protecting their bottom line by using different tools that help make their operation more efficient by increasing yield potential, reducing costs, managing risks, and taking advantage of historically low interest rates.

“We conducted the study because we’re always interested in what’s going on in the agriculture industry at large. We’re partnering with growers and retailers, their concerns are our concerns,” said Spangenberg, “No matter what the weather brings, no matter what the markets bring, growers and the agricultural industry are delivering food to their tables, and we want to help make sure they feel successful at the end of the season.”

More information on the 2015 study: Efficiency In Agriculture – Protecting a Grower’s Bottom Line

Listen to my interview with Brady here:
[wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps-basf-brady.mp3″ text=”Interview with Brady Spangenberg, BASF”]

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Update on Soil Health Partnership

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, Corn, Cover Crops, Farm Progress Show, NCGA, Nutrient Management, Soil

soilhealthpartnershipThe Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is growing.

“In 2015 we’ve expanded our network and enrolled another 20 farmers in the program, so we’re up 40 farmers enrolled in the Soil Health Partnership,” said Nick Goeser, National Corn Growers Association manager of soil health and sustainability, during an interview at Farm Progress Show. The SHP is a five year initiative to evaluate, test and measure conservation practices and their impacts on soil health and how that in turn impacts agricultural productivity.

fps-ncga-nickGoeser says SHP has been holding field days this summer to share conservation ideas with farmers in the Midwest. “We’ve had field days in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and expanding into Ohio, Nebraska and Minnesota as well,” said Goeser.

Many of the states where field days were held this year experienced a very wet start to the growing season. “A really rainy season stresses the importance of the conservation practices,” Goeser said. “Whether its cover crops, conservation tillage, or advanced nutrient management. All of these work together across a cropping system.”

Listen to my interview with Nick here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps-ncga-nick.mp3″ text=”Interview with Nick Goeser, NCGA”]

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Farm Land Values Down in Illinois

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farm Progress Show, Land

David Klein, Soy Capital Ag Services.

David Klein, Soy Capital Ag Services.

According to a new study released during the Farm Progress Show, prices being paid for farmland across Illinois are continuing a softening trend following prices being paid for commodities with decreases between 2-7 percent. The “Snapshot Survey” is commissioned each year by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA) and conducted by Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D. with the University of Illinois College of ACES.

“Land values are continuing a general softening across the state with the exception of some regional areas where there has been very little land for sale,” said David Klein, AFM, ALC, vice president of Soy Capital Ag Services, Bloomington, IL and co-chair of the annual ISPFMRA Land Values Survey and Conference. “Decreases in farmland returns for 2015 and 2016 are seen as the main reason for the lower values. USDA projected income for 2015 is expected to be the lowest since 2010 and our survey respondents are telling us they expect the softness in land values to continue,” added Klein who expects that the price paid for a bushel of corn will be below $4 into 2016.

Gary Schnitkey, PhD, University of Illinois

Gary Schnitkey, PhD, University of Illinois

“Cash rents in 2016 are expected to be about $30 per acre lower than 2015 cash rents,” Schnitkey reported during the press conference. He cited 2016 rents for Excellent farmland to be in the range of $316 compared to current values of $350; $267 in 2016 for Good land compared with $295 for this year; $219 next year for Average land compared with $250 in 2015, and; $177 for Fair land in 2016 compared with this year’s $200 rent per acre.

However, Klein is optimistic for the future because Illinois farmland is among the most productive in the world.

To learn more, listen to ISPFRMA press conference: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps-15-illinoislandvalues.mp3″ text=”ISPFRMA Land Values Press Conference”]

Farm Progress Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Digital Farming Efforts at Bayer CropScience

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, Audio, Bayer CropScience, Crop Protection, Data, Farm Progress Show

DSC_0302Bayer CropScience looks at digital farming as a tool for farmers to make better, more profitable and efficient decisions from data collected on their own farming operations. Shane Hand, director of Digital Farming for Bayer, provided insight into their look on data management when I spoke with him at the recent Farm Progress Show.

“We are focusing on driving precision recommendations of crop protection inputs today. That really narrows down our focus to corn and soybeans as an initial step into this in the Midwest. It narrows even further to the precision placement, timing and rate of our fungicide and herbicide products.”

Shane said they are a couple years into a 3-year pilot program. “We are working directly with farmers to build the analytical engine and to understand the correlations for the data collection with the ultimate goal of delivering surgical recommendations based on those insights around the crop protection products that Bayer CropScience delivers to farmers.”

Learn more about Bayer CropScience’s Digital Farming program in my complete interview with Shane here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps-15-bayer-hand.mp3″ text=”Interview with Shane Hand, Bayer CropScience”]

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

Thermal Grade Cameras for Drones

Kelly MarshallAerial Imagery, Agribusiness, drone, UAS, UAV

FLIRFLIR Systems, Inc. has announced the addition of FLIR Vue™ thermal imaging camera series for drones.  The FLIR Vue Pro offers expanded options such as precision thermal imaging, enhanced data collection capabilities, in-flight control of camera functions, and simple mobile apps.

In addition to providing the same easy power-in/analog video-out connection that has been so popular on the FLIR Vue, the FLIR Vue Pro records digital thermal video, along with thermal still images, to an on-board micro-SD card. This on-board recording allows operators to capture thermal data for later analysis. Video files can be recorded in either MJPEG or H.264 format, while the 14-bit still images provide high dynamic range imagery for mapping and survey applications.

The Accessory Port gives direct control of camera functions like changing the image’s color palettes, starting and stopping recording, and the camera’s e-zoom. With MAVLink compatibility, the FLIR Vue Pro interfaces easily with the standard flight control systems used for mapping, survey, and precision agriculture missions. It can be configured to automatically capture images and annotate each image with the aircraft’s position and other critical flight information. These images are then instantly compatible with leading imaging stitching and orthomosaic-creation software like Pix4Dmapper.

“Building on the pioneering of the original FLIR Vue, the FLIR Vue Pro puts even more thermal imaging functionality and greater flexibility in the hands of sUAS operators,” said Jeff Frank, FLIR’s Senior Vice President for Product Strategy. “The Vue Pro enables commercial drone operators to provide clients with the actionable, temperature-based data to increase efficiency and improve critical business decisions.”

The camera is easy to set up via Bluetooth interface and custom app for iOS or Android.  Using the app operators can control functions to get the best imagery without the need to connect to a computer.

The FLIR Vue Pro will be available for purchase later in 2015.  For more information please visit www.flir.com/flirvue.

#MyFarmMyYield Contest for Asgrow, DEKALB

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Contest, Corn, Soybeans

asgrowAsgrow and DEKALB are inviting farmers to share their harvest success online, using the hashtag #MyFarmMyYield.  Photos are optional (although encouraged), but from Sept. 7- Dec. 6 farmers can post their yield and the Asgrow or DEKALB product number.  A random drawing will determine winners of this contest, with grand prize being a trip for two to the 2016 Commodity Classic in New Orleans (March 1-5) and second prize being two tickets to the 2016 Farm Journal Top Producer Seminar in Chicago (Jan. 27-29), plus weekly prizes of $50 merchandise credit.

dekalb“We’re excited to hear from Asgrow and DEKALB farmers about their harvest success this season,” said Jesse Hamonic, Asgrow DEKALB Brand Lead. “Farmers make important seed decisions every year, and we’re pleased that Asgrow and DEKALB products met their expectations by helping them turn in a strong performance for 2015. We also want to thank farmers who selected our brands and help celebrate their success in what has been a challenging year for many regions.”

Farmers can enter more than once with different products or fields. The contest is only open to current U.S. growers (18 or older), and no purchase is necessary. Excludes Sponsor employees, family and household members. Odds depend on number of entries. Facebook entries must be posted to official Asgrow DEKALB Facebook atwww.facebook.com/AsgrowDEKALBwall to officially enter contest.

To learn more and view full Official Rules, visit www.AsgrowDEKALB.com/MyFarmMyYield.

New Anchor Package Means More Irrigation

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Irrigation, water

valley logoValley Irrigation, leader in Precision Irrigation, is offering a product for growers utilizing land that can’t be irrigated with traditional center pivots.  The new anchor package extends the reach of an irrigation machine, allowing the center pivot to bend and wrap.  The Bender Anchor has a reach of up to 2,000 feet after the Bender.  In addition, the Bender Anchor can be used on rough or rolling ground as well.

Only Valley offers an anchor for its bending units because only Valley pivots have the strength to handle long Bender machines, said Valley Irrigation Vice President of Global Marketing Matt Ondrejko.

“Our studies found that growers can increase their profits by at least $300 per acre in Nebraska, just by irrigating more of the land they already have,” Ondrejko said. “The new Bender Anchor extends those irrigated acres at a low per-acre cost, improving yield and profit.”

Learn more about Valley Benders and the new Bender Anchor at www.valleyirrigation.com.

Most Rented Ground Owned by Non-Farmers

Kelly MarshallLand, USDA

USDA_logo_svgA total of 353.8 million acres were farmed in the U.S. last year, according to the 2014 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey done by the USDA.  80% of this ground is owned by landlords who are not farmers.

The value of the rented land and buildings are valued at $1.1 trillion.  This is owned by 2.1 million landlords with an income total of $31.2 billon and expenses of $9.2 billion.

A tenth of the 911 million U.S. farmland acres outside of Alaska and Hawaii, or about 91.5 million acres, is slated for ownership transfer in the next five years, not including farmland that is in or is expected to be put into wills. Landlords expect to keep or put nearly 48 percent of these acres in trusts. Only 21 million acres of land are expected to be sold to a non-relative, while 26 million acres are expected to be sold to a relative or given as a gift. This means that only a small percentage of farmland will be available for new entrants into the farming sector.

“Farmland has always been a valuable resource, but what we see in the most recent TOTAL results is the emergence of farmland as a future investment,” said Joseph T. Reilly, NASS Administrator. “More families are creating trust ownerships to make sure land remains in their family for farming or as an investment.”

In addition to looking at farmland, TOTAL also provides a glimpse into demographic information for 1.4 million non-farming individuals and principals in partnerships arrangements, also known as principal landlords. According to the findings, the average age of these landlords is 66.5 years old. This age exceeds that of the average farmer, who is 58.3 years old, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture. Only 18 percent of all principal landlords were under 55 years old. Nearly 45 percent of all of the principal landlords have never farmed.

TOTAL surveyed farmland ownership in 48 contiguous states. It is the only NASS survey that collects ag landlord statistics. Land ownership and decisions about ownership arrangements are key issues for which ERS serves as a primary source of information.

“Access to land is one of the biggest challenges facing agricultural producers, particularly beginning farmers,” said Mary Bohman, ERS Administrator. “TOTAL gives us a chance to demonstrate the extent of the land access issue and provide realistic projections of future land availability for purchase or for rent.”

New N-Watch Sites in Challenging Year

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farm Progress Show, FS System, Growmark, Nitrogen, Nutrient Management

It’s been a challenging weather year for many farmers, but it could provide some very important data on nitrogen movement in the soil at 13 new N-Watch sites in the northeastern part of the state.

fps-growmark-nutrientJustin Moritz, crop specialist with Heritage FS, says it was quite a year to start the management tool that measures plant-available nitrogen in the soil. “In June it was real difficult to take samples in standing water,” said Mortiz. “But we learned a lot and I look forward to continuing to work growers on programs like this.”

Around the area covered by Heritage FS, Moritz says they see a wide range of crop conditions heading into harvest. “Heritage FS has a cornucopia of scenarios,” he said. “We have spots that look really good and spots that look very trying…you can go in and out of great crops and into tough crops…a lot of weeds this year.”

He says they have also seen a lot of yellowing crops due to nitrogen loss. “You can really tell the guys that put late nitrogen on versus the ones who didn’t,” he said. “So we’ll have a lot to learn from this year.”

In this interview from Farm Progress Show, Moritz also explains how the N-Watch monitoring program works and what they can learn from it. [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps-gmk-nutrient.mp3″ text=”Interview with Justin Moritz, Heritage FS”]

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience

High Capacity Raking Performance from John Deere

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, Forage, Hay, John Deere

DSC_0423The advances in hay and forage production equipment are centered on efficiency and John Deere’s WR31 series wheel rakes are designed to make life in the field just a little bit easier. The 2015 Farm Progress Show gave me the opportunity to talk with Frontier Product Specialist, Caitlin Carson, to learn about the WR31 Wheel Rake’s high capacity raking performance features.

“One of the features it has is the “Kwik Pik” wheel system. Which is a cylinder underneath the frame of the rake. This allows farmers to, when at the end of the row, lift all the wheel rakes at the same time. This will keep your windrows from messing up.”

Caitlin said another feature customers are excited about is the quick field adjustment capabilities. The series has three easy adjustment points to customize windrow width and gather more hay in each bale.

This rake is currently on the market and producers simply need to contact their local John Deere dealer to place an order in prep for their 2016 hay crop.

[wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/fps-15-jd-rakes-carson.mp3″ text=”Interview with Caitlin Carson, John Deere”]

2015 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Coverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by John DeereCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by GrowmarkCoverage of the 2015 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience