Land to Buy!

Have you been thinking about buying some land?  We have some deals for you in both the states of Kansas and Missouri.  Whether you're interested in buying at an auction or private treaty there are plenty of deals available with great returns on your investment.  Click on the links below to find the perfect land for you.

240 Acres Miami Co. KS

70 Acres Miami Co. KS

23.5 Acres Miami Co. KS

110 Acres Leavenworth Co. KS

160 Acres Johnson Co. KS

40 Acres Miami Co. KS

103 Acres Daviess Co. MO

42 Acres Daviess Co. MO

80 Acres Daviess Co. MO

139 Acres Miami Co. KS

500 Acres Johnson Co. MO

169 Acres Cass Co. MO

100 Acres Barton Co. MO

391 Acres Morris Co. MO

65.3 Cass Co. MO

Interested in a greenhouse operation?  Click on the link below.

Greenhouse =+ 10 Acres Cass Co. MO

Market Confusion!

This week the soybean market is fulfilling one of Murphy’s Laws: “The market will do whatever is necessary to fool the majority.” According to a report by Agriculture.com, cash soybean bids broke above the $1.00 rally level on October 29. Strength at that time led many to believe there were large gains still ahead. Since then, action has leveled off, and prices have become much less volatile. Bets that prices could go straight up were tempered by two days, November 4 and November 19, when they broke below the dollar level. Both times there was a quick rebound back above that “magic“ level.

Scanning the charts of cash bids and March futures gives the impression that the high was on October 31 with the price of $9.69. However, the ability of the market to rebound every time the support level is broken makes me think that the bids could hold in this area or higher for a long time.

In addition to chart action that is somewhat bullish is the fact that basis has finally started to improve. I admit that the move is small and not consistent across all price levels. It is at least better than having the basis deteriorate as the record soybean crop finally comes to town. Hope that the end of the year will see much better basis and gradually improving cash bids.

Meanwhile, corn bids continue to plug along, pennies up and pennies down. The net result has been a gradually improving cash bid. That is better than having violent large moves up and down but not going anywhere. At least the price today is such that market analysts have stopped taking about cash corn prices below $3.00. With the size of the 2014 crop, it may take until spring for corn to be above production cost if indeed it ever gets there for most of us.

All cash bids quoted in this column are from Midwest Farmers Co-op in southeast Nebraska.

Depressed Prices Ups Farmers Hedging

What do farmers need to keep in mind about the futures market?  Let Dave Leheman, CME Group Managing Director of Research and Product Development, tell you.  Here's a short video from an interview by Agriculture.com.

Corn & Soybean Crops Continue Historic March

U.S. corn and soybean producers are again on pace to set a new high in yields according to USDA's Aug. 12th Crop Production report.  Last years corn crop was a new record, and soybeans were the third highest ever.

Corn

Corn production is projected at 14 billion bushels, based on conditions as of Aug. 1st.  Yields are expected to average 167.4 bushels per acre, up 8.6 bushels from 2013.  If this turns out to be correct it'll be the highest yield recorded in the United States.  

Market analyst Brain Basting, Advanced Trading, said in a recent interview with Delta Farm Press that the corn production numbers "were a little below the average trade guess of 14.25 billion bushels.  It's a start, a mark on the wall.  Historically, there have been significant changes over time relative to the August report."

USDA's estimated ending stocks for corn, at 1.8 billion bushels, was also well below the average trade guess of 2.03 billion bushels, according to Basting.  "The key thing now is to see if we have some more export demand surface at these lower prices."

Soybeans

Soybean production is forcasted at a record 3.82 billion bushels, up 16 percent from last year.  Based on Aug. 1st conditions, yields should average 45.4 bushels per acre, up 2.1 from last year.  Area for harvest in the United States is expected to be 84.1 million acres, up 11 percent from last year.

Soybean carryout is expected to be 430 million bushels "which is exactly triple the estimate for 2013-14, at 140 million bushels," Basting said.  "That is a burdensome carryout.  The trade is going to be watching the weather the last three weeks of August.  The southwestern Midwest did get some good rains recently which helped those double-cropped soybeans there.  The soybean market is looking at what could be the largest soybean crop ever."

Corn Looking to Rebound

After having a rough May and June grain futures are trying to rebound on the heels of last Friday's modest gains.  Heavy rain in the Northwest of the Corn Belt could end up doing more harm than good.  However, Kansas City futures show strength that could trigger a short covering rally.  Otherwise, the saying of "rain makes grain" is being put to the test.

Farm Futures Senior Editor Bryce Knorr talks about the market with Robert Hahn, Valley News Live TV, Fargo.

To hear the interview click here and scroll down to the bottom of the article to find the audio link.

How Does Farmers National Manage My Farm?

Farmers National Company is the largest farm management company in the country.  What makes it so effective?  Let FNC tell you.



For more information on FNC's farm management division go to Farmers National's website.  Looking to buy land?  Go to Farmers National KC, email at info@farmersnationalkc.com Or call 913-837-4665.

BASF is Here to Help

Worried about your crops getting the proper amount of nitrogen?  BASF is working on that.  Coming in a few years, BASF is working on a new technology to help stabilize fertilizers and decrease its composition in the soil.  This will slow down the ammonia release in the soil and improve yields by 3% to 5%.

What else does BASF have cooking?

Water Management

They are working on distributing soil water to plants better.  This should save water costs by 50%.  They are working on getting this out a soon as possible.

Dicamba Tolerant Soybeans

This is a joint venture between BASF and Monsanto.  They plan for this to be lower in off target movement potential.  It may be a few years til this hits the target but they are thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of 2016.

Mobile Microscope

This should take all the guess work out of a crop disease.  All you have to do, with your mobile device, is take a picture of the infected crop.  The photo is then sent to a BASF library or an expert team for further analysis.  The photo is then categorized and saved to a GIS map.  The information of what you are dealing with is then sent back to you.

Seed Treatments

BASF is working on a polymer that coats the seed to accomplish three things.

1. Provide better seed coating stability.
2. Minimize dust-off of active ingredients.
3. Improve plantability and seed flow.

New Ag Technology

Farmers are constantly coming up with new ways to use technology to help them improve yields and become more productive.  What are the new gadgets on the market?  Here are the top five according to Delta Farm Press.

1. Free NozzleCalc app from Greenleaf - This app improves your efficiency in spraying your crops.  All you have to do is input what you want and you are assured you'll get the right amount every time.
2. Ag Weed ID mobile app - If you're in the field and need to know what weed you've spotted and dealing with, this handy app will help you out.  No more trying to remember or taking pictures and comparing them in the office or home.  You can identify the weed and deal with it much faster now.
3. Novariant's Simple Steer - This is high precision auto steer technology.  Will improve you ability to stay accurate in your driving and improve your efficiency in the field.
4. Apply Yourself app - This app takes all the guess work out of selecting and calibrating an injection pump.  It come pre-loaded with all sorts of different injection pumps to suit your needs.
5. New Planting Calculators from DuPont - DuPont as come up with three great planting calculators.  The first one is the online Planter Setting Calculator.  You can get customized setting from just putting in your planter type and seed batch ID.  The second is Pioneer Field360 Plantability App.  This app offers recommendations after you scan the barcode on their Pioneer brand corn and sunflower seed tags.  The third is the Pioneer Planting Rate Estimator.  This helps you estimate an optimum planting rate for your crops based on their yield history.

These are just a few of the new technology products on the market available to farmers.  There are more I'm sure but these seem to be the best and most productive apps out there.

Looking to Buy or Sell Farmland?

Have you been thinking about getting into the farmland business?  You're probably asking yourself how do I go about doing it?  Or do you own some land and are looking to move it?  Look no further than Farmers National Company.  What can Farmers do for you?  I'll let them explain it.



I highly suggest using your local broker who's familiar in farmland real estate.  You can go to Farmers Real Estate Page to find one.  If you're in the states of Kansas or Missouri I can help you out.  Just go to Farmers National KC, email us at info@farmersnationalkc.com or call us at 913-837-0760.

Thinking of Selling Your Farm?

Have you hit that moment where you think it's time to sell your farm?  The biggest question is how do I choose my broker.  You need to be sure that broker isn't a broker who only sells homes.  Look for someone who specializes in farmland real estate.  Here are seven things you need to think about when it comes to picking your farmland realtor.

1. Your broker should provide to you a market analysis before you list it.  Make sure he or she has done their research before signing onto the dotted line.  You don't want to rely on guessing or rumors going around.
2. Along with being familiar with private treaties, the traditional form of real estate, your broker should also be experienced in auctions.  Auctions are a very big part of agriculture sales and if your broker is unfamiliar with it you're doing your self a disservice.
3. Your broker should be able to identify your lands strengths and weaknesses.  And then be able to properly promote your lands strengths and minimize its weaknesses.
4. Your broker needs to be on the cutting edge of technology along with the traditional methods.  Just putting up a sign and hoping doesn't cut it.
5. Your broker should be able to effectively negotiate with not just local farmers but operations, another broker or attorney, or a group of investors.  It's important to have a veteran broker who's been in the trenches in numerous types of deals.
6. Your broker should be informed of farm tax issues associated with selling a farm.  The worst case scenario for a seller is getting stuck in a nasty situation with taxes.  Make sure your broker can help you navigate and avoid these issues.
7. You broker should be well versed in 1031 exchanges.  If done right, selling your farm with a broker experienced in 1031 exchanges can save you a large chunk of change.

Choosing a informed farm broker is vitally important.  Not only will he or she help you get the highest price for you land, they will also make it smooth and painless.

Who do I suggest you use.  I highly suggest you do your own research for your local area.  However, if you're in the Kansas City area, I highly suggest using the Farmers National KC Team.  They almost only do agriculture sales and are backed by the Farmers National Company out of Omaha, NE.  That allows them to advertise your property more widely and effectively than any other broker in the area.  You can check out their website, email them at info@farmersnationalkc.com or call them at 913-837-0760.

Crop Insurance Is A Good Investment

"We believe a lot of people are farming this year who wouldn't be without crop insurance," says Brandon Willis, administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency in a speech he gave to the Plains Cotton Growers annual meeting in Lubbock, TX.  It was covered by South West Farm Press.

Around 296 millions of acres in the US are covered by crop insurance.  It has saved many farmers from going under and many employees their jobs.

Farmers need to be aware of the new programs so they can sign up before later this year.  Farmers need to be educated on what works best for their area so they can choose the right plan for them.  Otherwise, there could be some problems.  As a matter of fact, the sign up date for Livestock producers started April 15th for disaster assistance.

In the fall, farmers need to update their production history and be ready for publications of farm program details.  By late fall they can choose between Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC).

In 2015 there will also be available a STAX program for Cotton growers and a Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO).

Beginning farmers, with less than five years in farming, can get benefits from a new program yield adjustments and a 10 percent reduction in premiums.  This will begin in 2015.

Any criticism of crop insurance is usually due to the lack of understanding how it works.  Most farmers are working today because of crop insurance.  And there are things in place to make sure farmers aren't taking advantage of it.  For example, the farmer must follow good farming practices and can't receive more than 85 percent of what they would have made without a disaster.  This makes sure farms break even and never make more than they would have normally.

It's good for consumers because it saves money.  It allows farmers to invest in new technology making them more efficient and productive.  Government likes it as well because it saves the tax payers dollars.

What Does Farmers National Company Do?

What is Farmers National Company?  Well, that's a hard thing to say.  Basically, if it has anything to do with land or minerals, Farmers National Company can help you out.  Want more info?  Just watch this video.



To find out even more go to Farmers National Company.

Wheat Damage Likely

The freezing temperatures we saw mid-April have led many to believe the Wheat crop may have been damaged.

According to an interview on South West Farm Press, Jeff Edwards from Oklahoma State Extension who is a wheat specialist said, "Most of Oklahoma spent at least four hours below freezing last night and some areas spent an extended period of time below 28 degrees.  While temperatures in the wheat canopy might have remained slightly higher than reported air temperatures, they were still probably low enough to result in significant injury to wheat."

The one thing that may save it all is that most farmers weren't able to plant til late this season..

Generally, when wheat is flowering, freeze damage can occur when temperatures are as high as 32 degrees and stay there for more than two hours or more says Clark Neely, AgriLife Extension small grains and oil seeds specialist in College Station Texas.

There is no way of telling what kind of damage the crop has suffered for another week or two.

Neely said, "It really depends upon the weather after the freeze.  If it becomes hot and dry, we'll see symptoms a lot sooner.  If it stays cool, it'll take a little bit longer for those symptoms to show up."

"Kansas wheat may be damaged as well," said Jim Shroyer, Kansas State Research and Extension crop production specialist.  "Wheat in the jointing stage is most at risk."

Interested in an Ag Job?

For years the Ag industry has lacked young workers.  Well, AgCareers.com is looking to fix that.  The agricultural industry is growing.  And as long as grain and livestock prices remain high, and there is no reason to believe that will change anytime soon, the industry will continue to grow.  With all this growth the Ag industry is beginning to hire.

Two years ago, the International Agri-Center launched a program to hire returning military veterans.  It's called the Ag Warriors program.  This program was designed to help soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guard with employers in the ag business who needed experienced workers.

In the video below the CEO of AgCareers.com Eric Spell talks about the program and how it will be beneficial for both employers in the Ag industry and returning vets.  Just click on the link to see the video.

CEO Eric Spell

The Return of El Nino?

As most of you know, predicting the weather is about like throwing a dart at a board.  No one knows for sure what's going to happen.  However, it's Spring!  And us in the agriculture industry can't help but watch the sky's and the evening weather forecast.

Farmers are making the preparations.  In some places the seeds are already down and in Southern Texas, the sorghum is already knee high is some places.

Generally the forecasts are calling for a continued drought in the West and Southwest.  However, the National Weather Service, independent weather forecasters and university weather scientists are hinting at a change.  What is that change?  El Nino!  This could be very welcome news for the Southwest including an increased chance of rain in the mountains.

 Right now the National Weather Climate Prediction Center is calling for a 50-50 chance of an El Nino this year.  An El Nino is a fluctuation in the water temperatures of the tropical Pacific Ocean.  An El Nino means warmer water and an La Nina means colder water.

What Does This Mean For Farmers?

It all depends on the location of your farm or ranch, influences from water temps, wind and an ever-shifting tropical jet stream.  If there is no El Nino the Southwest could be looking at something reminiscent of the dust bowl.  However, even if El Nino is late developing that could mean a wet snowy winter which would lead into a great 2015.  

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been noticing some positive changes in the water temperatures in the Pacific.

Nothing is written in stone.  So like most folks I'm suspicious of long range weather forecasts.  But anytime there is a possibility to help us get out of this drought then I'm all for it.  Is El Nino returning?  I sure hope so.

Avoid Being Nickled and Dimed

Treament

Treatment is cheap.  But treatment upon treatment upon treatment isn't.  For example, let's say you need to spray lime on to your farm.  Let's go ahead and assume that $5 per acre.  Not bad.  Now, a couple weeks later you need some boron.  That's $5 per acre.  Ok fine.  Still not bad.  But let's say every few weeks you need to apply something else.  Before you know it you've spent $50,000 dollars on applications.

Soil Health

How do you avoid this problem?  Improve your soil health.  The problem we face is that we may have highly productive soils but along the way the soil becomes degraded.  The goal should be to improve and maintain the soils health without having to spend all that money on applications.

No-Till

The key is to do almost no-till crops.  The reason the phrase almost no-till is used is because you would have to do some form of irrigation.  You would have to dig a trench so the water can go from the crown of the field to the lower end.

Cover Crops

Cover crops will helps your soil from drying up as well.  They will reduce the stress on your plants.  Best of all, it will help maintain more moisture from infrequent Summer rains.  The trick is to make Mother Nature to work for you.

For more information on this go to Delta Farm Press

22 Facts About Herbicide Resistant Weeds

In an article on Agriculture.com the break down 22 things you need to know about herbicide resistant weeds.  I thought I would give you the quick rundown of what they found for you.  You can read the article if you want to go into more depth.

1. Nothing New is Coming
     Have you seen those ads for the new herbicides?  Don't listen to them.  There is nothing new on the market right now and nothing in the foreseeable future.  Don't fall for that ploy.

2. You Can't Diversify Enough
     Just like a financial profile, you must use different herbicides.  This needs to be in every farmers head.  If all farmers diversify there herbicide use, the likely hood of herbicide resistant weeds should decrease dramatically.

3. Pre's Don't Always Get Applied
     Apply early.  While this may seem like a no brainier, it doesn't always happen.  It's usually not an intentional mistake.  Lots of times we wait til the right moment to apply.  Sometimes that doesn't happen and the farmer moves on with other things and never comes back to it.  Make sure and stick with it.  It's worth it in the long haul.

4. Preemergence Benefits Are Limited
     Just because you applied in April doesn't mean you've completely killed the weed.  Some weeds have numerous germination periods.  Some as late as June.  So don't count on early applications to get you through the year.

5. Fall Applications Don't Always Work
     Don't think because you applied in the Fall you can skip the Spring application.  While those south of I-80 should do Fall applications, don't think it's all you need to do.

6. You Can't Use Liberty Like Roundup
     The best way to use Liberty is wait til the weed is 4 inches tall.  The reason you may want to use Liberty is it's good at fighting herbicide resistant weeds.  However, if you use it like you would Round Up you won't see any improvements.

7. Weed Control Via Cover Crops is Mixed
     Cover crops can kill off all those winter weeds that have grown.  However, by the time a second round in the late season starts to grow, most of those cover crops are gone.  So don't count on them solely.

8. Weeds Have a Weakness
     You just have to figure out what weed you're dealing with and exploit it.

9. Your Combine is a Giant Planter
     In a highly infested field your combine could act as a spreader.  If you have an issue it may be best to mow the field before harvest.

10. You Can Bury Waterhemp Seed
     They don't emerge from soil depth of 6 to 8 inches.

11. Palmer Amaranth Should Be Feared
     This weed will become resistant to what you're using at some point.  When that happens you must spray them postemergence before they reach 4 inches in height.  If not, you'll have a big problem on your hands.

12. Pigweeds are Tough to Distinguish
     Waterhemp is a leggy plant with lots of space in between its leaves.  Palmer Amaranth has a much thicker cover like a canopy.

13. Pigweeds can be Coed
     This means they have both male and female plants.  And, unfortunately, the male plant can pass its resistance on in the pollen.

14. Pigweed Hybrids are too Common
     Think about it this way.  A crossbreeding cattle produces better producing and a stronger calf.  Pigweeds are no different.

15. It's Harder to Kill Late Emerging Waterhemp
     Waterhemp that germinates later in the year tends to be more waxy and harder to kill.

16. Waterhemp Has One Perk in Your Favor
     Waterhemp is not has competitive has Pigweed.  It won't hurt your yields nearly as much.

17. Overlapping Residuals Give Better Control
     Hit those weeds at preemergence and post emergence.  Yes it costs more but it will better help in your control of weeds.

18. Resistant Weeds Can Wreak Rental Havoc
     As a land owner you must get control of weeds.  If you don't, no farmer will want to work your field.

19. Waterhemp is the Weed to Beat in the Midwest
     Palmer Amaranth is mostly a Southern plant.  Although it can be found as far North as Michigan sometimes.  So for the most part, especially in Missouri, Waterhemp is the weed you'll be fighting.

20. Herbicide Rates Can Not Be Sliced.
     All this will do is give the weeds a chance to become resistant.  Don't do it.

21. You'll See More Crop Injury
     You have to know your field.  Understand its pH level and know what herbicides may carryover from the last year.  Knowing this will help you to know when to plant on which field.

22. You May Need to Cultivate
     No you won't have to cultivate your whole field.  You may not have to do it at all.  Just if you have an area with a high infestation.

What To Do With Uninsured Crops

The non-insured crop disaster assistance program (NAP) is a federally funded program that helps producers reduce their risk when growing foods and fiber crops, specialty crops and crops for livestock feed.  These benefits are only available for crops for which the catastrophic level of crop insurance is not available.  Application for coverage must be filed by the applicable crops application closing date.

Production levels for all crops must be reported to the FSA no later than the acreage reporting date for the crop the following year.  FSA requires any production reported in a loss year be verifiable according to Agency specifications.  NAP losses must be reported within 15 days of the loss became apparent.

All applications for NAP payment must be signed by the subsequent crop year's acreage reporting date in order to be considered timely.  There are no late file provisions for NAP applications for payment.

Contact your local FSA County Office for more information on the NAP program and for NAP application closing dates for specific crops.

Farm Loan Program Changes

Changes to FSA regulations have resulted in changes to both the Direct and Guaranteed Loans available through FSA.  The new regulations have removed Guaranteed Operating term limits.  Previous and current guaranteed loan borrowers who were not eligible for further guaranteed loans due to the previous 15 year eligibility term limit may now be eligible for further guaranteed loans through their commercial lender.

Also, the interest rate was reduced on Direct Loans where FSA provides 50 percent or less on jointly financed purchases of real estate also called Direct Farm Ownership Participation Loans.  The interest rate is currently 2.5%, but is subject to change.

Disaster Assistance

The 2014 Farm Bill, formerly known as the Agricultural Bill of 2014, makes the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) permanent programs and provides retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011.

LFP provides compensation to eligible producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought and fire.  LIP provides compensation to livestock producers who suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government or protected by Federal law, including wolves and avian predators.

USDA is determined to make implementing the livestock disaster programs a top priority and plans to open program enrollment by April 15th, 2014.

As USDA begins implementing the livestock disaster assistance programs, producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:

• Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and loss.
• Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts.
• Cost of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures.
• Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.
• Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records.
• Pictures of on-farm storage facilities that were destroyed by wind or flood waters.
• Evidence of damaged farmland.

Many producers still have questions.  USDA is in the process of interpreting the Farm Bill program regulations.  Additional information will be provided once enrollment period is announced.  In the meantime, producers can review the LIP and LFP fact sheet.  The USDA is working dilligently to put the Farm Bill programs into action to benefit the Farmers and Ranchers of rural America.