Randy Warva, with Fisher Farm & Lawn, of Salem, Ore., answers questions from Madesyn, 9, Patrick Samples and Ashlin, 6, of Keizer, Ore., who were visiting the John Deere exhibit during the Oregon State Fair on Sept. 4.
Last year was a boom year for ag equipment sales, but this year things are noticeably different. Many commodity prices are down, milk is in the tank, and that's affecting farmers' decisions and ability to purchase equipment.
"Commodity prices influence the demand for agricultural equipmen ...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 12:26 PM
Time is running out for farmers who want to reap a federal tax deduction of up to $250,000 from the purchase of farm machinery.
The deduction was set to be reduced in 2009, but was extended as part of the federal economic stimulus plan passed earlier this year.
The provision, Section 179 o ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
Farming in the U.S. is expected to become more complicated as legal battles over dust, pesticides, manure, water and other issues may result in stringent new regulations.
Even so, farmers and industry groups are standing up for themselves and occasionally besting their rivals in court.
...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
On a Saturday in August, Lee Druffel took note of the temperature in his field for his blog.
"From not even getting to 70 F a week ago to over 100 F this afternoon has brought on a lot of grain," Druffel wrote. "Temperature in the field at 2 p.m. -- 107 F! Nobody talks about a break down, ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
Efforts are under way to bring convergence to U.S. wheat contracts, but a Northwest grains analyst says the future remains uncertain.
Todd Kemp, the National Grain and Feed Association treasurer and director of marketing, said members have been concerned about a lack of convergence betwe ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
At Kings Crown Organic Farm near Glenns Ferry, Idaho, owner Nate Jones sells his fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of channels, including wholesale brokers, farmers' markets and directly to several grocery stores.
This year, about 15 percent of his total sales will come from f ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
The federal estate tax is scheduled for a temporary repeal next year, but few people believe Congress will let that happen.
Under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which calls for the temporary repeal in 2010, the tax is reinstated with a $1 million exemption ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
There's no easy answer -- or even one answer -- when it comes to the best option on farm equipment.
"The decision to buy or lease varies with each operation and the financial goals of the operation. No two operations are identical," said Ron Moore, president of Pacific Northwest Hardwa ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
While whether to buy or lease new equipment is a big consideration, there are other options to consider as well, said Ben Gisin, an ag financial and credit consultant and managing member of AgriCents in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Producers should consider a number of criteria prior to making a decisio ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
When dispensing tax advice, ag accountant Clint Bentz would traditionally suggest that clients find ways to defer paying taxes on their earnings.
These days, however, he's telling clients to consider taking a tax hit as soon as possible, while the burden is still relatively low.
"We ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
There's a large castle and a pirate ship on Byron and Donna Siemers' farm.
Each year, the Siemerses incorporate the castle and ship into a corn maze for youths and families visiting their farm.
"The kids just love it," Byron Seimers said. "Even adults just like the looks of the place ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
Efforts to develop biofuels, like so many endeavors requiring money, have slowed in recent months.
While production remains steady, new development in biomethane from dairy digesters has stalled, as has research into blend biofuels. And for the U.S. to pursue its alternative-fuel visions, ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
When the going gets tough, where can farmers and ranchers turn?
In Midwestern states, help lines that specialize in serving farmers have seen about a 20 percent increase in callers this year, said Michael Rosmann, executive director of the Harlan, Iowa-based AgriWellness Inc.
But the ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
Through good times and bad times, agriculture survives.
As Oregon State University Extension economist Larry Lev says: "People need to eat."
That said, some farmers are surviving the economic recession better than others. And farmers differentiating their product from the run-of-the- ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
Farmland values nationwide may have dropped by 3.2 percent in 2008, but the recession and the housing crisis haven't halted the pressure to develop farmland near cities.
In the West, the urban sprawl that accompanied the housing boom and caused some farm acres to be converted to residenti ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
With current economic conditions calling for "belt-tightening" in many industries, farmers and ranchers have adopted an array of strategies to help them weather the downturn and prepare for anticipated better times.
Wade Bennett, owner of Rockridge Orchards near Enumclaw, Wash., said a de ...
Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:04 AM
