INDUSTRY NEWS

A notice in the Federal Register (#62502, Vol. 84, No. 221, issued Nov. 15, 2019) says in part:

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced the newest inductee to the AEM Hall of Fame: Mary Andringa of Vermeer Corp.

A new federal database listing drug and alcohol violations by long-haul truck drivers won’t likely impact most individual farmers moving hay to market, but producers and owner-operators transporting larger volumes of hay and other ag commodities longer distances could be affected.

Agritourism helps U.S. farmers and ranchers generate revenue from recreational or educational activities, such as tours of a working farm or “pick-your-own fruits and vegetables” programs. Beginning, small and midsize farms are increasingly exploring agritourism as a strategy to remain competitive.

What is the issue?

Recent economic conditions have raised concerns about the financial health of the U.S. farm sector. After peaking around 2012, farm sector income declined while farm debt continued to rise. Farm real estate is no longer rapidly appreciating in value, and land prices have declined in some regions.

To manage input costs, many producers take advantage of early pay and other discounts offered by suppliers, including discounts on seeds for next year’s crops. Knowing the payoffs of different input purchase arrangements can help farms manage through tight profit margins.