Farm Credit East Provides Updates on Agriculture Economic Conditions

Farm Credit East recently launched a section on its website containing snapshots for nine Northeast agriculture industries. 

These snapshots provide industry-specific year-to-date updates on economic conditions in various sectors of agriculture.
 
Snapshots are available for the Northeast’s dairy, fruit, vegetable, nursery and greenhouse, cash field, timber, aquatic/fishing, and livestock industries, as well as an update and outlook on input costs for the region’s producers. 

These snapshots will be updated on a quarterly basis and also contain links to other resources and recent articles relating to each industry.
 
The most recent update reports that overall, U.S. agriculture, as well as that of the Northeast, continues to face some challenging market conditions, but there are also a number of bright spots and some improvements are in the forecast. 

Cash field crops in particular are dealing with adverse pricing and while dairy prices are improving, there continue to be marketing challenges in some areas. Nursery and greenhouse, which have had improving economic conditions for the past few years, are reporting relatively good spring results.
 
To dive deeper into industry-specific snapshots, visit FarmCreditEast.com.

Economics of Future Farming in New York Topic of Forum Today at Cornell

From Cornell University:



The economic future of agriculture in New York and the Northeast – from dairy and feed grain to fruit ­– will be revealed at Cornell University’s annual Agribusiness Economic Outlook conference from 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 (today) in Room B-25, Warren Hall on the Cornell campus.

Experts will provide predictions and perspective on the national economy and agriculture, the implications of immigration reform on farm staffing, and outlooks for specific commodities, including dairy products, grains and feed, fruits and vegetables, as well as wine, grapes, and ornamentals. 

The full itinerary and registration information is available online at http://dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/ag_outlook_conference.php
 

State Assembly Looks at Equine Impact

The New York State Assembly will hold a public hearing at noon today (Dec. 3) to examine the equine industry and discuss the economic benefits and numerous job opportunities that are related to the industry’s presence in our state.

Racing and Waging Committee Chair J. Gary Pretlow will take testimony on the equine industry’s current role in the state's economy and what could be done to enhance the industry’s growth.

According to the 2012 New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study, the industry generated $4.2 billion statewide in 2011, which was about $92,100 per horse in both direct and indirect impacts. The study also noted that the equine industry provides roughly 33,000 full-time jobs, which is an estimated 80 jobs per 100 horses.

The horse industry is a critically important sector of New York’s economy, providing many employment opportunities throughout the state, including such jobs as breeders, trainers, backstretch workers, hay farmers and veterinarians.

Among those scheduled to testify are Jeffrey A. Cannizzo, executive director, NYS Thoroughbred Breeders; Rick Violette, president, NY Thoroughbred Horsemen Association; Joseph Faraldo, president, Standardbred Owners of New York; and Susan McDonough, board member, NYS Humane Association.

Also expected to testify are Marsha Himler, president, NYS Horse Park; Colleen Segarra, Mid-Hudson Regional Director, New York State Horse Council; and Alice Allen, Redemption Acres.

Program Begins to Enhance Profitability of NYS's Dairy Farms

Want to learn more about the Dairy Acceleration Program?

Go to http://ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/dairy_acceleration/ where you can read about it and download a brochure.

Also, here is a bit about it from a news release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

The Dairy Acceleration Program is making available $1 million in funding to help dairy farmers develop individualized business and environmental plans.

Modern milk production requires expertise from a number of disciplines, ranging from agronomics, environmental science, animal husbandry, crop science, human resource management, and financial and strategic planning. Through the Dairy Acceleration Program, farmers will be able to tap into the expertise of the Cornell Cooperative Extension network, Cornell PRO-DAIRY and other agricultural programs to facilitate and grow their business and in turn increase production on their farms.

To be eligible for the program, a dairy cattle farm must have complete financial records. Preference will be given to farms with fewer than 300 cows. Dairy Acceleration Program funding will cover 80 percent of a project’s cost.

Payments may include: up to $5,000 per farm to write a business plan or develop a combination of a business and facility growth plan; and up to $4,500 to update an existing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan or $6,000 to develop a new one.

Business planning includes financial analysis, farmstead development planning, facility planning and capital investment planning for increased milk production per cow.

Environmental planning includes Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan development and updates. Farms without an existing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan can hire a certified Nutrient Management planner to develop a new plan for farms with under 300 cows.

To apply for DAP, visit http://ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/dairy_acceleration/.

Agriculture Trade Outlook Could Be New Record

Here is a release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a statement from Ag Secretary Thomas Vilsack:

The USDA released its fourth Outlook for U.S. Agriculture Trade in fiscal year 2013 today.

USDA projects $139.5 billion in agricultural exports in FY 2013, which if realized would be a new record. Since 2009, U.S. agricultural exports have climbed from $96.3 billion in 2009 to the most-recent forecast of $139.5 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement:

"Today's report is promising news that keeps American agriculture on track to continue the strongest period of exports in our nation's history. Agricultural exports are an important part of our economy, supporting more than one million jobs - and as a part of President Obama's National Export Initiative to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014, USDA has worked hard to open new markets for quality U.S. agricultural products. 

We've helped achieve new trade agreements with countries around the world, helped organic producers export more products through new equivalency agreements, broken down hundreds of unfair barriers to trade, and utilized trade promotion programs that have helped more than 1,000 U.S. businesses and organizations promote agricultural products abroad.

Today, we're looking ahead to the next big achievements -- particularly a Trans-Pacific Partnership with Asian nations, and a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union.

We must continue working to strengthen markets and opportunity in American agriculture. That's one reason why it is important that Congress achieve passage of a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible. Trade promotion efforts provided by the current Farm Bill have been extremely valuable for U.S. producers.

A long-term Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would continue these programs, enabling USDA to keep working with producers and businesses to promote their quality products around the world. This is an important step to further increase agricultural exports from the United States and create more good jobs here at home.

As we continue our efforts to strengthen agricultural trade, USDA will keep working hard to help Congress pass a multiyear, comprehensive bill as soon as possible."

The 5 Cs of Credit on the Farm

Go to http://dairybusiness.com/seo/headline.php?title=when-the-traditional-5-c-s-of-credit-aren-t-e&date=2013-05-28&table=headlines to check out the story.