UVM EXTENSION reminds dairy farmers that due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the last business Friday (sales closing date) for November Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) sales will be Nov 20, 2009. For December, the last business Friday (sales closing date) for LGM sales will be Dec 18, 2009.
December 10, 2009 marks the end of the crop insurance period for grain corn in Vermont. If you are unable to harvest by this date due to extreme weather conditions, such as rain or snow, you may request additional time to harvest beyond December 10, 2009 by contacting your crop insurance agent.
Your crop insurance company may allow additional time to harvest when the following conditions are met:
(a) You give timely notice of loss to the crop insurance agent; and
(b) The crop insurance company determines and documents that the delay in harvest was due to an insured cause of loss; and
(c) You demonstrate to the crop insurance company that harvest was not possible due to insured causes; and
(d) The delay in harvest was not due to uninsured causes of loss, nor because you did not have sufficient equipment or manpower to harvest the crop by the calendar date for the end of the insurance period.
It is important that you document conditions for your acreage and the actions you take in order to receive an accurate claim payment if one is due. You must harvest your crop during the extension period if a window of opportunity arises. If you do not, the crop insurance company will appraise the acreage at that time and finalize the claim based on that appraisal. Damage occurring after the window of opportunity to harvest is uninsurable.
If there is significant snow cover, if the crop is under water, or if extreme wet conditions exist, the crop insurance company should not (and is not required to), perform final inspections when conditions make it impossible to obtain appraisals accurately.
If weather conditions are delaying your harvest, contact your crop insurance agent to report a loss and request additional time to harvest in order to protect your crop insurance coverage.
Robert G. Paquin, State Executive Director for the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Vermont announced on October 20 the loan limit for its Guaranteed Loan Program has been increased to $1,112,000 effective October 1. The limit is adjusted annually based on the "Prices Paid to Farmers Index," compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The increased limit will enhance the agency's ability to meet the credit needs of farmers and ranchers throughout the country.
The Guaranteed Loan Program allows commercial and farm credit lenders to extend credit to qualified applicants, who otherwise would not meet their standard lending criteria. Participating lenders can use the Guaranteed Loan Program to strengthen a loan's viability through a guarantee of up to 95 percent of the loan amount. Farmers interested in guaranteed loans should apply through a conventional lender.
FSA also offers the Direct Loan Program as an alternative for those unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Direct farm loans are government-funded, and made by FSA. The loan limit for loans under the Direct Program is $300,000 (except for Emergency Loans). Farmers interested in applying for a direct loan should contact their local FSA office. To find an FSA office, visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced that the agency is stepping up its efforts on Clean Water Act enforcement. The plan is a first step in revamping the compliance and enforcement program. It seeks to improve the protection of our nation's water quality, raise the bar in federal and state performance and enhance public transparency.
The plan outlines how the agency will strengthen the way it addresses the water pollution challenges of this century. These challenges include pollution caused by numerous, dispersed sources, such as concentrated animal feeding operations, sewer overflows, contaminated water that flows from industrial facilities, construction sites, and runoff from urban streets.
The goals of the plan are to target enforcement to the most significant pollution problems, improve transparency and accountability by providing the public with access to better data on the water quality in their communities, and strengthen enforcement performance at the state and federal levels.
Source: Farm Futures, October 19, 2009
The sales deadline date for the apples, grapes, peaches and pears for the 2010 growing season is quickly approaching.
BENEFITS OF CROP INSURANCE:
Protects against losses from hail, drought, frost, wildlife, insects and other unavoidable natural occurrences
Provides loan collateral. Loss payments are assignable to a lender
Improves credit worthiness
Creates an income floor for a poor year
Increases farm profitability
Offers security and peace of mind
Customizable to fit your farm operation
NOVEMBER 20 is the last day to purchase insurance for apple, grapes, peaches, and pears. Contact a crop insurance agent for more information.
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Where: Juniper Hill Inn, Windsor, VT
On October 28th restaurants, schools, food distributors, co-ops, supermarkets, and other commercial buyers are coming together in one place to connect with Vermont’s food producers.
This is your chance to explore options for selling to larger scale buyers through one-on-one conversations that you schedule based on who you want to connect with.
The Matchmaker is an event for anyone planning to expand to larger markets, anyone currently selling wholesale who wants to expand their clients, and anyone with surpluses who wants to learn where large quantities can be sold.
There is a registration fee of $20 per person for sellers (farmers, specialty food producers) and $50 per table for buyers. Distributors can register as sellers, buyers, or both. Registration fee includes breakfast, coffee and lunch.
SPACES ARE LIMITED.
Buyers Must Register by September 14th. Sellers Must Register by October 5th.
To request more information and a registration form please contact Kim at the Vermont Fresh Network: kim@vermontfresh.net or 802-434-2000. Registration information also available under “Hot Topics” at www.vermontagriculture.com.
This event co-presented by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Fresh Network, Vermont Grocers Association, Vermont Specialty Foods Association, Healthcare Without Harm and Vermont Hospitality Council.
This summer’s wet weather and insect damage may mean low yields for silage and grain corn, forage crops, vegetables, tree fruits and other crops covered under Crop Insurance. Whenever you have crop damage that may adversely affect your yield, or the value of your crop, you may be eligible to file a claim.
What to do:
• Visually inspect each field for losses. Take photos of crop damage.
• Report crop damage promptly:
o Before replanting (many policies have replanting payments).
o Within 72 hours of discovery of damage.
o 15 days before harvest begins (if loss is possible) Within 15 days after harvesting is completed (by insurance unit) or the end of the insurance period.
o Retain crop records such as seed and herbicide receipts.
What not to do:
• Do not destroy evidence that is needed to support your claim, nor harvest your crop without clear direction from the insurance company, preferably in writing.
Contact your crop insurance agent for more information.
Farmers who have crop insurance coverage for silage, grain and sweet corn have until July 15, 2009, to file an acreage report with both their crop insurance agent and the FSA county office. Acreage information supplied to FSA should be identical to the report provided to the crop insurance agent.
It is always a good idea to get a copy of your FSA acreage report so that the information on crop acreage planted and farm serial numbers is consistent. Keep in mind that your acreage report should include any added land and late planted acreage.
As of July 1, 2009, the sale of unpasteurized raw milk became legal in Vermont. The new law, known as Act 62, creates a two-tiered system for raw milk sellers. It allows for up to 40 gallons of milk to be sold per day, including delivery to a customer's home. The details can be found at: Unpasteurized Raw Milk Sellers Guide 2009
Dr. Heather Darby & Dr. Sid Bosworth, UVM Extension Agronomists
Over the last week I have received many reports of heavy cutworm damage in corn fields around the state. Although cutworms are not an unusual occurrence in Vermont this type of widespread damage certainly is an oddity. Several factors such as storm fronts, actively growing weeds, and cool temperatures have played a role in the widespread cutworm problem.
Storm fronts carry adult black cutworm moths to Vermont. Moths "drop out" of these storm fronts and seek attractive egg laying sites, especially common chickweed and other winter annuals. As planting is delayed, black cutworm larvae (worm) will hatch and begin feeding on the weeds. As the weeds are killed, the cutworms need additional food and will be large enough to cut corn plants as seedlings emerge from the soil. Fields that are most susceptible include late plantings, no-till plantings, weedy fields; low, wet areas; and fields previously in pasture or sod.
Cutworms larvae pass through six instars and require 28 to 35 days, depending on the temperature to become mature larvae. Degree-days are an effective tool to help determine black cutworm development. The black cutworm requires approximately 640 degree days to reach pupa stage and1000 degree days to reach maturity. Since the spring temperatures have been cool the development of larvae has been slow. The recent hot temperatures have pushed them to the cutting stage. The cutting stage will last until approximately 300 to 400 GDUs accumulate. This will push the larvae to the pupae stage at which time it stops destroying plants. To check cumulative GDDs in your area, go to the following websites:
http://pss.uvm.edu/grape/2009DDAccumulationGrape.html http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/State_Crop_Progress_and_Condition/current/current_eng.rtf.
Scouting for black cutworms is essential, even if products for control (seed treatment and Bt corn) have been used. Cut, missing, or wilted corn plants are typical symptoms of black cutworm larvae damage. Feeding mainly at night, larvae will move up the row as they feed. On average, one larva may cut three or four plants in its lifetime. To scout, check 20 plants in 5 locations for cutworm injury. According to Penn State Entomologist, widely accepted thresholds are 2, 3, 5, and 7 cut plants per 100 for seedling, V2, V3, and V4 stage plants, respectively. The staging number indicates fully formed leaves, so a V2 would mean a corn seedling that has two fully formed leaves although it may have an incomplete emerging third leaf.
Post-emergence rescue treatment is suggested when 5 percent or more of the plants are cut and larvae are one inch or less in size. If they are larger than an inch, it is less likely that a control treatment will help. Rescue treatments should be applied late in the day since cutworms feed at night. Only the infested area and a 20 to 40 foot surrounding buffer need to be treated. The spray should be directed to the vase of the plant. Approved treatments can be found at the Agency of
Agriculture website (www.vermontagriculture.com) or contact Dr. Heather Darby at 802-524-6501.
It appears the stage is set for black cutworm problems and a lack of vigilance could result in discovering the problem too late. Go and scout your fields! Even if it is too late, you should document the damage and, if possible, take pictures. You can download a corn scouting report at http://pss.uvm.edu/vtcrops/articles/FieldCornScoutingReport.pdf if you want to use this for your crop insurance records. Be sure to write down the date and extent of damage.
For additional information, refer to http://pss.uvm.edu/vtcrops/
Through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI), dairy producers throughout Vermont are eligible for incentive payments to implement or expand managed grazing starting this season. CCPI provides for funding through a partnership agreement, in this case between USDA-NRCS and the Vermont Grass Farmers Association (VGFA), to realize mutually beneficial environmental goals. VGFA and NRCS would like to encourage and support farmers choosing to reduce production costs, energy use, and water pollution by adopting or expanding managed grazing. Under this new partnership, eligible farmers may apply and, if accepted for funding, enter into long term contracts with NRCS to implement these new management techniques and install necessary infrastructure. Eligible practices include but are not limited to fencing, watering systems, pasture and hayland planting as well as prescribed grazing. Payments to producers, made through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will vary depending on the practice(s) to be implemented. Historically underserved producers will be eligible for enhanced payments.
Applications for the 2009 program will be accepted from June 22-July 2.
Farmers converting annually tilled land to a grazing system in the Otter Creek or Missisquoi watersheds will receive priority for funding. However, farmers statewide are eligible and encouraged to apply, including those with existing grazing systems who are prepared to make significant enhancements. To apply, please visit your local USDA Service Center by July 2.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved Senate Bill 787, the Clean Water Restoration Act. The measure would expand the federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act by removing the word navigable from the definition of waters of the United States. The proposed change would give the federal government control over private lakes and even ditches.
Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., says farmers could be hurt worst by this legislation.
"I can remember very well a few years ago when a friend of mine had standing water after a storm in one-forth of one acre," Inhofe said. "Because of that, they declared a wetland and took away the use of that farmer's 160 acres; that's how serious this thing is."
Inhofe says this measure will have a harder time on the Senate floor than it did in committee because of several coalitions that have been put together to block it and he thinks they will be successful.
As for the Waxman-Markey climate change bill that is of great concern to agriculture Inhofe noted that several people including House Ag Chair Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Ranking Member Frank Lucas, R-Okla., are working to protect ag interests. Even so Inhofe say he believes Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will get the votes she needs to advance the bill out of the House.
"I can assure you that they will not have the votes in the Senate," Inhofe said. "Right now they only have 34 votes and they have to have 60 votes in the Senate to make it happen."
Pelosi earlier this month placed a deadline on committee action on the climate change legislation. That deadline is Friday.
Reprinted from Farm Futures Magazine, 6/19/09.
The deadline for farmers to obtain crop insurance on fall-seeded forage acreage is July 31, 2009. Current policyholders also have until July 31 to make any changes to existing contracts. The forage seeding policy covers newly seeded acreage of alfalfa and forage mixtures containing at least 50 percent alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, or any other locally recognized and approved forage legume species (by weight) planted by August 31, 2009, in Addison County. A grower may secure up to $218 worth of coverage per acre under the plan. Coverage under this particular policy ends upon commencement of grazing or the initial harvest. If the forage legume species is alfalfa, the acreage may then be insured for second and subsequent years under a separate forage production policy. Growers are strongly urged to contact a local crop insurance agent as soon as possible for premium quotes and other details. For a list of crop insurance agents, farmers may contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office or log on to the following Risk Management Agency web site: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/
RMA Press Release, June 8, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in an 80-month-old dairy cow from Alberta. No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems.
The animal’s birth farm has been identified, and an investigation is underway. The age and location of the infected animal are consistent with previous cases detected in Canada.
This case was detected through the national BSE surveillance program, which continues to play an important role in Canada’s strategy to manage BSE.
Canada remains a Controlled Risk country for BSE, as recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Accordingly, this case should not affect exports of Canadian cattle or beef.
5/19/2009 11:52:21 AM
Canada Finds 16th BSE-infected Cow
by Canadian Food Inspection Agency release
SILAGE AND GRAN CORN -JUNE 10:
Final planting date for Vermont silage and grain corn growers enrolled in the Federal Crop Insurance program, unless insured for late planting.
Late planting and prevented planting provides for reduced protection on acreage that is planted late, or that cannot be planted by June 10, or within the late planting period.
Replanting payments are not available with CAT coverage.
FRESH MARKET SWEET CORN – varies by Vermont county:
JUNE 10 – for Essex, Franklin and Orleans counties.
JUNE 20 – for Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange and Washington counties.
JUNE 30 – for Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor counties.
REMEMBER: Crop Insurance covers unavoidable losses due to naturally occurring events such as flooding, drought, insect, fire, hail and freezing. Losses due to negligence or failure to follow good farming practices are not insurable.
Keep good records. In the event of a loss your records will provide the details of what you did. Stay informed about disease or pest outbreaks in your area.
Consult your crop insurance agent before making any decisions regarding an insurance claim and for specific details about your coverage.
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Public Policy Action Team Vice Chairman Mike Clemens testified on April 22 before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Commodities and Risk Management, emphasizing the importance of the federal crop insurance program to the viability of corn growers’ farm operations.
“Federal crop insurance remains our single most important risk management tool,” Clemens said. “Although the farm bill’s safety net programs are important to our grower members, the dramatic increase in market volatility over the past year underscores the value of crop insurance as a key component of sound risk management.”
A farmer from Wimbledon, ND, Clemens highlighted major improvements to federal crop insurance made possible by the significant increase in resources approved by Congress beginning in 2000, including more affordable premiums, new revenue based products and the elimination of cost share disparities for enterprise unit and whole farm coverage. NCGA is concerned with proposed funding cuts that put at risk the expansion in producer participation and higher levels of coverage. Clemens also mentioned in his testimony that NCGA believes further budget cuts will adversely impact the Risk Management Agency’s ability to address the program’s deficiencies.
Clemens’s testimony also called attention to ongoing concerns with the crop insurance program. Because indemnities for corn have been well below the policy premiums being paid, growers are asking why premiums are not being reduced to better reflect their actual crop losses. Clemens also raised producers’ concerns about quality loss adjustment procedures for aflatoxin, eligibility standards for prevented planting claims and the coverage reduction caused by combining converted skip row and solid plant yield history into one data base.
Reprinted from Country Folks, May 4, 2009.
Dairy cows that produce USDA-certified organic milk also produce manure that may gradually replenish soil nutrients and potentially reduce the flow of agricultural pollutants to nearby water sources, according to findings by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and colleagues.
Cows on organic dairy farms generally consume forage feeds cultivated on soils that are fertilized with manure and compost rather than manufactured fertilizers. This organic management, in turn, may significantly affect how easily nutrients are converted in soil into forms readily taken up by crops.
Working with colleagues at the ARS New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory in Orono, Maine, and elsewhere, chemist Zhongqi He showed that conventional and organic dairy manures from commercial dairy farms differed in concentrations of plant nutrients, including phosphorus, metals and minerals.
The team used two different types of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to pinpoint these differences. Solution NMR spectroscopy is already widely used to analyze phosphorus content in manure. For this study, the scientists also analyzed manure content using solid-state NMR spectroscopy, which is especially effective at finding unique “signatures” of the different kinds of metals and minerals.
The researchers found that the two types of manure had at least 17 different chemical forms of phosphorus that varied in concentrations. The organic dairy manure had higher levels of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium.
Reprinted from Country Folks, May 4, 2009
The Administration had proposed limiting direct farm commodity payments to any farms with gross sales over $500,000. I don't know who did the math on that at the Office of Management and Budget but they better send them back to the Wharton School of Economics for a refresher course. You all know id doesn't take a very large farm to have sales of $500,000 or more. In fact, when farm milk prices are good a 100 to 125 cow dairy can exceed $500,000 in gross annual sales of milk. What we want to tell the folks at OMB is that it is the bottom line that counts, not gross sales. You could have gross sales of more than $10 million and still be losing money and certainly not be rich by any standard. People who don't understand agriculture should not be dabbling in farm policy matters.
The gross sales issue had a stake put right through its heart last week when the House and Senate Budget Committees were preparing the Budget Resolution (which sets the parameters for spending next year) put language in both the House and Senate bill that would ensure no gross sales cap was implemented.
Reprinted from the NDFC Newsletter, April 10, 2009.
Governor Jim Douglas announced that up to $6 million dollars in lower-rate operating loans will be made available through VEDA for farmers struggling during the economic downturn.
The loans, provided through State Fiscal Stabilization Funds in the Recovery Act, will provide working capital to farmers as they enter the busy planting season in the midst of a national credit squeeze. Volatile energy and commodity prices have caused further concern for the agricultural community in recent months.
The Governor, joined by legislative leaders, praised the collaborative work of VEDA leadership and members of the House and Senate agricultural committees.
“Farms and farm suppliers are a vital part of Vermont’s economy and heritage,” the Governor said, “I’m pleased that we were able to make these funds available so that we can continue to preserve our working landscape.”
“This money will help with better collaboration between farmers and agricultural lending institutions, especially farmers who can save thousands with this program by consolidating their high interest loans,” said Paul Remillard, interim director of the Farm Service Agency. “This is a critical time for farmers and getting this money out quickly will make a big difference for those who need support to get their crops in now.”
These funds are part of the $17.1 million in discretionary funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 State Fiscal Stabilization Funds.
“While agriculture was not part of the focus in the federal recovery bill, I wanted to be sure that we found a way to invest in our farmers during this difficult time,” the Governor continued. “The VEDA Agricultural Loan program has a track record of success when it comes to providing farmers with support during tough economic times. That is why I am so pleased we were all able to come together to make support possible. I want to extend a special thanks to all the farmers and suppliers that joined us here today.”
“These are difficult times for Vermont’s farms, families, businesses and the state itself and we must work together to ensure we all weather the storm and emerge as a stronger, more vibrant state in the future,” said Speaker Smith. “This investment in Vermont farmers does just that.”
“Vermont's dairy farmers are facing the most difficult economic challenges in recent memory,” said Senator Shumlin. “Without strong farms our state is at risk of losing the qualities that make Vermont what it is. We must do everything in our power to give our farmers the help they need in the hope that fair milk prices are not far away.”
Loans will be available at subsidized rates and used for farm operating needs such as feed, seed, fuel and fertilizer. Additionally, these loans will be eligible to be used to consolidate existing open accounts that farmers may already have for various types of operational inputs.
Governor Douglas first announced this effort as part of his comprehensive SmartVermont economic grown plan to invest all $17.1 million in immediate and direct economic support for existing Vermont businesses and companies looking to grow and expand in the Green Mountain State.
The Governor’s SmartVermont plan will leverage nearly $160 million in seed capital, working capital, investments in tourism and travel promotion for the summer months and support for high tech incubation.
For more information about these loans please contact VEDA at 802-828-5627.
Reprinted from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets website.
USDA has extended the sign-up deadline from June 1, to Aug. 14, 2009, for both the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the forthcoming Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. This action extends the sign-up deadline by 10 weeks to give producers ample time to decide whether to participate in ACRE or remain in DCP.
Sign-up for ACRE is expected to start in late April, with an official sign-up announcement to be made in the coming weeks. Producers can elect ACRE at their FSA county office after the sign-up period commences. The original June 1 deadline may have forced producers to rush their decision, which is why this extension gives producers more time to make an informed decision about staying with DCP for 2009 or participating in ACRE for crop year 2009 and beyond through 2012.
Reprinted from Farm Futures
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) invites proposals for the 2009 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant program. The Notice of Funds Available for the FMPP was published in the /Federal Register/ on *March 13, 2009*. This is the fourth year of the FMPP grant program, which is authorized under the recently amended Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976.
AMS will award approximately $5 million in competitive funds for FMPP in Fiscal Year 2009. FMPP grants are available at levels not less than $2,500 and not more than $100,000; no matching funds are required. Proposal submitted for funding should be designed to assist in promoting, expanding, and improving domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.
Eligible entities for the 2009 FMPP grants include agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, non-profit organizations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities, and Tribal governments to consider developing proposals for this grant program. Eligible entities must be owned, operated, and located within one or more of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Applications must be submitted to AMS and postmarked by *April 27, 2009*. For information on applying for FMPP grant funds, please visit our website: www.ams.usda.gov/fmpp
A Vermont foundation that wishes to remain anonymous has given $100,000 in grant money to Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA), according to NOFA.
The money, which NOFA will distribute as mini-grants up to $5,000, is to support Vermont famers’ markets. It is the first such grant to support farmers’ markets that the nonprofit farming organization has received.
The 2009 Vermont Farmers’ Markets grants can be used to help create new markets or for "expansion projects" at existing markets, according to NOFA. There are 64 farmers’ markets in Vermont, and 11 winter markets.
The deadline for grant applications is March 1. For information, go to: www.nofavt.org/market-organic-food/farmers-markets/2009-mini-grants. The grants will be awarded by March 15.
Free Press Staff Report • February 4, 2009
In 2009, paying the bills and making debt payments will become a bigger challenge for Vermont's dairy producer. Consider taking steps now to plan how you will manage your farm's cash flow during this, next, and future year periods. We're here to help!
Crunching Your Farm Numbers is currently being offered to any Vermont dairy producer upon request, It is a free and confidential service. It is designed to better prepare you to plan your operating and credit needs for the next 1 or more years. You'll be asked to provide us with several year's farm financial and production information from your records, or from your lender. After receiving this information, we will provide you with a full picture of your farm's historical financial performance and help in developing cash flow projections for future years.
All of the information provided will be useful to you (and your lenders/vendors, if you desire) in making important decisions for your farm's future, such as:
What your cash flow might look like over the long term.
What are your realistic debt restructuring/refinancing options?
What other options might be considered to improve your cash flow?
To learn more about, or to sign up for, Crunching Your Farm Numbers:
Call ONE of the following Farmer's Hotline telephone numbers:
St. Albans 800-639-2130
St. Johnsbury 800-545-8920
Rutland 800-281-6977
In 2009, UVM Extension is initiating a field and forage crops monitoring program to improve communications amongst farmers, extension, agricultural business, crop consultants and government agencies concerning emerging new pests, pest outbreaks an other crop related issues. If you see a crop problem, please report it to one of the following folks. Please indicate the date, location, and a brief description of the problem. If you have digital photos, please email them as well.
Ann Hazelrigg: UVM Campus 656-0493 or ann.hazelrigg@uvm.edu
Sid Bosworth: UVM Campus 656-0478 or sid.bosworth@uvm.edu
Jeff Carter: Middlebury Ext. 388-4969 or jeff.carter@uvm.edu
Heather Darby: St. Albans Ext. 524-6501 or heather.darby@uvm.edu
Reports coming in from around the state will be posted on the UVM Vermont Crops and Soils website (pss.uvm.edu/vtcrops/) on a weekly basis during the growing season.
The 2009 Catastrophic Risk Protection (CAT) administrative fee for crop insurance has been increased to $300 per crop per county. This change will take effect beginning with the 2009 crop year for existing and new crop insurance policies for all commodities grown nationwide that are covered by this type of insurance. This increase in producer premium payments came about due to regulation changes in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Cornell Waste Management Institute recently conducted a study looking at the use of dairy manure solids as bedding material in terms of the impact on herd health and farm economics. With sawdust bedding getting harder to find and more expensive, many dairy farms have been looking for alternatives. I have heard of some people finding success using shredded newspaper, some replacing half of their sawdust with lime. But there has been a lot of interest recently (especially with more farmers installing anaerobic digesters which produce digested dairy manure solids as a byproduct) in using the separated solids from dairy manure as a bedding alternative. It's pretty dry, doesn't smell bad, and looks a lot like TMR...Why not?
Of course, the rather large looming question is: "Will DMS have higher levels of bacteria than other forms of bedding which will increase the likelihood of infection in my herd?"
Well that is what Cornell Waste Management Institute set out to discover. In addition, they took a look at the costs associated with DMS bedding and also the savings. They are currently still analyzing the results of the herd health component (Click here for updates), but have completed the economic analysis and found that the five farms participating in the economic portion of the study saved an average of $37,000 per year! Check out this article in "The Manager" for more information.
As I am sure most of you have heard, last weeks flooding hit a number of big corn and soybean producing states in the midwest pretty hard. In Iowa, 1.3 million acres of corn and 2 million acres of soy (20% of the state's crop) were completely destroyed according to an article in Reuters. The American Farm Bureau Federation has estimated that there has been $8 billion worth of crop damage in the midwest as a whole due to these rains.
All of this news has had me thinking a lot about the farmers out there and hoping that they all had some seriously good risk management plans in place. The thought of "how could anyone really be prepared for something like this?" did cross my mind, but after the Iowa flooding of 1993 and recent climate change reports suggesting that we should expect more extreme weather events in the future, perhaps there is no excuse for lack of preparedness.
It turns out that in 2007, 89% of both corn and soybean acreage in Iowa was covered by crop insurance. If those farmers had already planted their crops this year, they are probably calling up their insurance agents to file a claim. Depending on the level of coverage that they had though, they may only receive an indemnity payment worth half of what they would normally make. Though this is certainly better than nothing, one can only hope that there are other farm products not destroyed by the floods, or off-farm income to help offset the loss.
Some farmers who had not yet finished planting and have a prevented planting provision on their crop insurance now have to make the decision to try planting again in hopes that the bulk of the rains have stopped, or choose the prevented planting option. It is a choice between receiving 60% of their total insurance coverage liability (with prevented planting) and not planting the crop that year, or planting and having their insurance coverage reduced 1% for each day after the final planting date that the crop is planted. So as I understand this (and please someone correct me if I am wrong) if 60% x current coverage level > current coverage level - (1% x #days after final planting date) then if there is a good chance that a planted crop will get completely destroyed it makes the most sense for a farmer to take the prevented planting provision. How confusing. For further explanation click here.
For corn, the opportunity to plant again may have passed because at this point the ears may not mature before first frost. However, for soybeans there is still a possibility for planting and harvesting a crop. Jeff Caldwell, an Agriculture Online News and Features Editor talks with a farmer who says that with soybean prices being high it is appealling to try for planting. But who knows what the beginning of July will bring.
For more information on prevented planting provisions due to excess moisture or flood check out this presentation.
With the high cost of energy these days, there are those who are looking to reduce some of the risk of further cost increases by producing their own fuel. For John Williamson at Stateline Farm in Shaftsbury, VT, this fuels production starts in the field with the planting of oilseed crops such as sunflowers and canola, and ends in the barn housing his biodiesel processing equipment.
On June 3rd, producers, extension faculty and staff, community members, and more gathered at Stateline Farm for an On Farm Biodiesel Workshop. In the morning session, Matt Rudolf and Tim Angert from Peidmont Biofuels, a North Carolina biodiesel education organization, taught a hands-on biodiesel making class. This was followed in the afternoon by a tour of the biodiesel facility and process happening right there at Stateline Farm. Here are some snapshots from the day:
Here's where it all begins...
Extension Assistant Professor Heather Darby discusses the different oilseed crops that they are growing at Stateline Farm.
Check out the research that UVM has been doing for more info on crop types, costs, etc.: Alternatives for On-Farm Energy Enhancement in Vermont:Oilseed for Feed and Fuel
Harvested Seed
Getting out that oil!!
We got to look at two of the oilseed press options: Chinese and European. Both have pros and cons. The Chinese model is more affordable but may require some modifications and supervision. The European model is more expensive and a bit slower, but doesn't require as much fiddling with after purchase. I will try to get a link up here soon to more information. For now you could try contacting:
Vermont Biofuels Association
P.O. Box 307
Middlebury, VT 05753
Phone: 802 388-1328
Fax: 802 388-0210
info@vermontbiofuels.org
Once the oil is pressed, the fun has just begun...
Getting ready to do a titration to find out how much Lye we will need to complete out biodiesel reaction.
Aha! The pink indicates we have hit the right amount of lye.
So we measure out the amount of lye we just figured....
Mix it with some methanol...
Then add the oil...
And shake it!!
Next, we poured it into this contraption in order to let the glycerine and biodiesel separate. We would then be able to remove the glycerine and be left with biodiesel!!
It is usually a good idea to wash your biodiesel after processing. Piedmont Biofuels has a nifty piece of equipment in their travelling biodiesel processor that mists water into the biodiesel. That water then settles out, taking soaps and other impurities with it.
Stateline Farm Biodiesel Facility
John Williamson of Stateline Farm explains how they got started making their own fuel, how their facility works, and plans for the future.
Have you had an experience with crop insurance that you would be willing to share? This could be a good experience, bad experience, neutral experience...
I am just interested to hear first-hand how the RMA Crop Insurance programs are working or not working for Vermont farmers. Since I am supposed to be educating people about these programs, some knowledge of actual experiences would be very helpful. Has someone experienced a loss and been relieved to have had crop insurance? Is Catastrophic coverage worth $100 per year, or is the chance of losing 50% of your crop too slim? Is anyone using Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite insurance for catastrophic animal health coverage instead of some sort of livestock insurance?
I would love to hear your stories. Feel free to post a comment on this blog or send an email to: agrisk@uvm.edu