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Newsletter | Past Issues
April,
2009
In This Issue:
Cropland
Values and Cash Rents
Ohio
Line Fence Law - Ohio Partition Fence Law
Flexible
Cash Lease Calculator Decision Aid at OSU Farm Management
Fertilizer
Prices An Upside Down Market
Free
Business Plan Tool Available
Chapter
12 Bankruptcy-Hope for Financially Stressed Family Farms
Estate
Planning Resources on Ohioline
Recognizing
Stress and Depression
Deadlines
Extended for ACRE and SURE
Dairy
Critical Issue Briefs (DIBS)
Management
Resources for Farmers
Do
you have a question that you would like to ask the Ohio
AG Manager Team? If so, click here to email your
question
Ohio
Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2008-09 – Additional
Survey Results
Barry
Ward (ward.8@osu.edu) Leader Production Business Management
OSU Extension, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental
and Development Economics (AEDE)
The
“Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents” survey
is conducted annually drawing on the expertise of numerous
professionals that are knowledgeable of Ohio’s
cropland markets. Surveyed groups include farm managers,
rural appraisers, agricultural lenders, OSU Extension
Educators, farmers, and Farm Service Agency personnel.
These data were collected in December 2008. Financial
conditions at that time should be considered when evaluating
this summary data.
One hundred eighteen surveys were completed, analyzed
and summarized. Respondents were asked to give responses
on land value, land rent and other measures. Some of
these other measures include: Value of Cropland in Transition
(areas where much of the land is moving into residential,
commercial & industrial uses), Expected Percent
Change in the Value of Bare Cropland in the Next 5 Years,
Expected Percent Change in the Cash Rental Rates in
the Next 5 Years, Expected Average Interest Rate for
Mortgage Loans for 2009, Expected Average Operating
Loan Rate for 2009, Pasture Cash Rent per Acre and the
Value of Pasture Land.
Table 1 through 3 below show the results of the survey
for these measures for Ohio and 2 sub-regions (northwest
and southwest) of Ohio. Only the northwest and southwest
Ohio regions had sufficient survey responses to enable
us to summarize and publish regional data.
Tables
show the average (Avg) (simple average) of each row,
standard deviation (Std) of the data for that measure
(measure of variability), average plus one standard
deviation (Avg+Std), and average minus one standard
deviation (Avg-Std). These latter two numbers reported
indicate a range within which about two-thirds of the
responses in the data for that measure will fall.
Land value and cash rental results for the 2008-2009
survey were summarized in the February Edition of the
Ohio Ag Manager:
http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/news/archive/2009/2-09C.php
That
article reviewed the results of the survey for 3 classes
of land in the survey respondent’s area; “top”
producing land, “average” producing land
and “poor” producing land.
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Ohio
Line Fence Law - Ohio Partition Fence Law
Peggy
Hall, Director of the OSU Agricultural & Resource
Law Program
Line
fence law is the body of law that establishes rules
and responsibilities for fences placed on the division
line between properties in rural areas. Also referred
to as the "partition fence" law, Ohio 's line
fence law underwent a dramatic revision in 2008. On
the OSU AgLaw page, you'll find explanations of the
new law and a link to the new statutory provisions in
Chapter 971 of the Ohio Revised Code. Also located here
are a summary of court cases and a fact sheet and on
Ohio 's former line fence law, which is no longer in
effect, as well as links to resources on line fence
laws in other states.
http://www.aede.osu.edu/programs/aglaw/line_and_partition_fence_law_lib.htm
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Flexible
Cash Lease Calculator Decision Aid at OSU Farm Management
Barry
Ward (ward.8@osu.edu) Leader Production Business Management
OSU Extension, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental
and Development Economics (AEDE)
Now, more than ever, big swings in crop prices and input
costs points toward negotiating some flexibility in
cash leases for farmland. “Volatile” and
“Uncertain” are two words that might best
describe grain prices and input costs for row crop production
heading into the 2009 planting season. With this increased
volatility and uncertainty, risk increases for producers
and more uncertainty arises about the amount of cash
rent to pay. On the other side of the negotiating table,
landowners, seeing higher profitability in recent years
for commodity crops, are possibly seeking higher cash
rents. So, just what is that “most equitable”
cash rent amount and how can it be maintained from year
to year or contract to contract?
One answer is negotiating a flexible cash lease arrangement
that varies from year to year based on price, yield
and input costs. Price, yield and input cost changes
from an agreed upon starting point will trigger changes
in the base lease amount. Historically, flexible cash
leases have been based on price or yield or a combination
of the two. With the extreme volatility in input costs
the past 2 years, some producers are only willing to
negotiate a flexible cash lease if there is some measure
of costs built in to the flex lease.
This Flexible Cash Lease Calculator can assist users
in developing a flexible cash rent model. Unlike other
flexible cash lease calculators, this tool allows the
user to incorporate flexible parameters for input costs
as well as for price and yield. The flexible cash rent
approach used in this calculator is to multiply the
base rent by: 1) the ratio of the Year End Price to
Base Price, 2) the ratio of the Year End Yield to Base
Yield and, 3) the ratio of the Base Input Costs to Year
End Input Costs.
This Flexible Cash Lease Calculator is available at:
http://aede.osu.edu/Programs/FarmManagement/Budgets/download.htm
The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is designed to enable
the user to input base and year end prices, yields and
costs to formulate a flex rent at the end of the lease
year. There are two tabs for this calculator. Page 1
contains the Flexible Cash Lease Inputs and page 2 contains
the Flexible Cash Lease Output.
Flexible Cash Lease Input Page – Page
1
Expected Acres – Expected number of acres to be
planted with each crop – corn, soybeans, or wheat.
Base Cash Rent – Rent negotiated between farmer
and landowner that will be paid if base prices, yields
and input costs remain the same until year end.
Base Yield – Yield negotiated between farmer and
landowner corresponding to the base rent. If the Base
Yield (or projected yield) ends up being the actual
yield, or Year End Yield, yield will not influence the
flexible rent calculated.
Year End Yield – The actual yield from the farm
or farms. (This could also be a third party end of crop
year yield agreed to when the lease is negotiated i.e.
county average yield from Ohio Ag Statistics Service.)
Base Price - Price negotiated between farmer and landowner
corresponding to the base rent. If the Base Price ends
up being the actual price, or Year End price, price
will not influence the flexible rent calculated. Base
Price may be a 3-5 year average or the best average
estimate for the term of the lease.
Year End Price - The actual price crops are sold for
or a harvest time price. (This could also be a third
party end of crop year price (or an average of a series
of prices) agreed to when the lease is negotiated i.e.
average price at local elevator on April 1, July 1 and
November 1.)
Minimum Rent – Minimum rent agreed to during the
lease negotiation. (Optional)
Maximum Rent – Maximum rent agreed to during the
lease negotiation. (Optional)
Base N, P2O5, K2O – Input prices negotiated between
farmer and landowner at levels corresponding with the
Base Rent. These prices could be entered on a per acre
basis or a per ton basis. Base Price may be a 3-5 year
average or the best average estimate for the term of
the lease.
Year End N, P2O5, K2O - The actual cost of these inputs
during the production year. (This could also be a third
party cost (or an average of a series of costs) agreed
to when the lease is negotiated i.e. average cost of
inputs at local crop service provider on April 1, July
1 and November 1.)
Base Chemicals - Input prices negotiated between farmer
and landowner at levels corresponding with the Base
Rent. These prices could be entered on a per acre basis
or a per product unit basis. Base Price may be a 3-5
year average or the best average estimate for the term
of the lease.
Year End Chemicals - The actual cost of these inputs
during the production year. (This could also be a third
party cost (or an average of a series of costs) agreed
to when the lease is negotiated i.e. average cost of
inputs at local crop service provider on April 1, July
1 and November 1.)
Base Diesel - Input price negotiated between farmer
and landowner at levels corresponding with the Base
Rent. This price could be entered on a per acre basis
or a per gallon basis. Base Price may be a 3-5 year
average or the best average estimate for the term of
the lease.
Year End Diesel - The actual cost of these inputs during
the production year. (This could also be a third party
cost (or an average of a series of costs) agreed to
when the lease is negotiated i.e. average cost of diesel
at fuel provider on April 1, July 1 and November 1.)
Base Seed Cost – Input price negotiated between
farmer and landowner at levels corresponding with the
Base Rent. This price could be entered on a per acre
basis, a per bag basis or a per 1000 seed basis. If
you choose to use the per acre basis, a per bag basis,
enter the figures directly in the Total Base column.
If you choose to use the per 100 seed basis enter all
information in the section. Base Price may be a 3-5
year average or the best average estimate for the term
of the lease.
Year End Seed Cost - The actual cost of these inputs
during the production year. (This could also be a third
party cost agreed to when the lease is negotiated i.e.
average cost of Asgrow seed per unit.)
Flexible Cash Lease Output Page – Page
2
The Calculator allows the user to compare four different
methods of calculating a flexible cash lease. The base
rent is “flexed” based on factors of “Year
End” to “Base” for yield and price
and “Base” to “Year End” for
inputs. If the “Year End” price or yield
is higher than the “Base” price or yield
the rent will flex higher. If the “Year End”
input costs are higher than the “Base” input
costs the rent will flex lower.
These factors are calculated as follows:
Adjusted Price Factor: Year End Price (of crop) divided
by Base Price. A “Year End Price” higher
than the “Base Price” will yield a factor
greater than 1. This Factor multiplied by the “Base
Rent” will yield a Flex Rent greater than the
Base Rent. A “Year End Price” lower than
the “Base Price” will yield a factor less
than 1. This Factor multiplied by the “Base Rent”
will yield a Flex Rent less than the Base Rent.
Adjusted Yield Factor: Year End Yield (Actual Yield)
divided by Base Yield. A “Year End Yield”
higher than the “Base Yield” will yield
a factor greater than 1. This Factor multiplied by the
“Base Rent” will yield a Flex Rent greater
than the Base Rent. A “Year End Yield” lower
than the “Base Yield” will yield a factor
less than 1. This Factor multiplied by the “Base
Rent” will yield a Flex Rent less than the Base
Rent.
Adjusted Input Factor: Year End Input Costs (Actual
Input Costs) divided by Base Input Costs. “Year
End Input Costs” higher than the “Base Input
Costs” will yield a factor greater than 1. This
Factor multiplied by the “Base Rent” will
yield a Flex Rent greater than the Base Rent. “Year
End Input Costs” lower than the “Base Input
Costs” will yield a factor less than 1. This Factor
multiplied by the “Base Rent” will yield
a Flex Rent less than the Base Rent.
Method I is Flexing for Price Only. This will take your
base rent; multiply it by your adjusted price (current
price divided by base price). This will equal the rent
per acre, which will then be multiplied by acres grown.
That will calculate the adjusted rent for the year.
The total rent per acre is the sum of the adjusted rent
for the year divided by total acres. This is the suggested
rental rate for the year.
Method II is Flexing for Price and Yield. This method
will use the same methods as above, but include the
adjusted yield which is the current yield divided by
current price.
Method III is Flexing for Price and Input Costs. This
section will combine Method I with the total input costs
calculated on the user input page. This will take the
adjusted input costs (current input costs divided by
base input costs) and multiply it to the adjusted price
from Method I.
Method IV incorporates flexing for Price, Yield and
Input costs. This will multiply the adjusted price,
adjusted yield and adjusted input cost.
In all four methods, the Total Rent per Acre line is
the suggested flex rent per acre. Choosing which method
to decide rental rates from will come from conversation
between land owner and tenant.
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Fertilizer
Prices – An Upside Down Market
Barry
Ward (ward.8@osu.edu) Leader Production Business Management
OSU Extension, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental
and Development Economics (AEDE)
In the last 12 months, fertilizer markets have caused
a great deal of financial pain at various points in
the supply chain. Fertilizer purchases and prices locked
in by retailers (and many producers) at high prices
from mid spring through mid fall looked to be good decisions
as prices for fertilizer were projected to increase
into 2009. Instead the global financial crisis changed
much of the outlook for commodities including crops,
energy and fertilizer. Lower commodity crop prices and
poorer prospects for profitability in 2009 kept many
producers out of the fertilizer buying market. Producers,
aware of falling fertilizer demand (domestic and global)
and import/wholesale prices, were hesitant to buy high
priced fertilizer when lower prices might potentially
show up at the retail level.
Throughout this past fall and winter retailers have
struggled to find buyers and producers have struggled
with the decision of when to purchase needed fertilizer.
Retail ag dealerships have struggled with when and by
how much prices could or should be lowered to encourage
farmer purchases yet limit their own losses. Prices
have declined for some fertilizer materials while others
have remained at relatively high levels. Eventually
producers will have to return to purchasing fertilizer
and not (in some cases) rely on existing P and K levels
in the soil. Will that be yet this spring or later this
fall in preparation for the 2010 crop? Better prospects
for profitability for 2009 and 2010 in the form of higher
commodity prices (if they occur) may move some producers
back into the market for purchasing not only needed
N for corn production, but P and K that they may have
skimped on thus far for 2009 crops.
So what fundamentals will drive fertilizer markets in
the next year?
Fertilizer Fundamentals – The Case for
Steady/Higher Prices
1.If we experience steady to higher commodity crop prices
and reasonable scenarios for profitability, fertilizer
purchasing will resume which may put some upward pressure
on fertilizer prices again.
2.Balance sheets for farmers in the U.S. are generally
strong, especially amongst crop farmers. Strong financial
positions will “help grease the purchasing wheels”.
3.Large under-fertilized acreages worldwide signal stronger
long term fertilizer demand.
4.Fertilizer manufacturing/mining curtailments over
the last several months as a result of slow demand may
over-compensate and see supplies unable to keep up with
demand when producers return to the market.
Fertilizer Fundamentals – The Case for Steady/Lower
Prices
1.Large high priced inventories combined with smaller
farmer purchases at the retail level continue to put
downward pressure on prices.
2.The potential for lower commodity prices (due to falling
demand from the global downturn) and questionable profitability
in 2009 may keep many producers from fertilizing at
high or even sufficient levels.
3.Deteriorating credit opportunities in many countries
around the world may hurt demand further.
4.Lasting demand destruction may occur in some countries/regions
due to lack of liquidity or financing and/or utilization
of alternative nutrient sources.
5.A stronger U.S. dollar allows for more purchasing
power in the U.S. and lower prices for imported fertilizer.
6.Lower transportation costs due to lower energy prices
and less demand for transportation worldwide will decrease
prices for imported fertilizer.
Fertilizer prices (with the exception of potash) have
declined sharply in the last 6 months. According to
our retail survey that we conduct by surveying several
crop supply outlets in Ohio, the price of NH3 on 3/22/09
averaged $765 per ton. This is a decrease of 37% from
6 months ago ($1212 per ton), but down only 6% from
a year ago ($783 per ton). UAN, now priced at
$331 per ton, is down 33% from 6 months ago, from a
high of $492 per ton. Urea decreased 43% in the last
6 months, falling from $870 to $498 per ton. According
to our survey, MAP price declined from $1223 to $683
per ton in the last six months, while DAP price fell
from $1218 to $700 per ton. These are decreases of 44%
and 43% respectively.
As of 3/22/2009, the price of potash has not followed
this trend. According to our survey, the average price
of Potash is $880 per ton. This is up 1.8% from 6 months
ago when it was averaging $864 per ton.
As of 3/22/2009:
NH3 - $765/ton or $0.47/lb
UAN - $331/ton or $0.59/lb
UAN-Direct to farm - $298/ton or $0.53/lb
Urea - $498/ton or $0.54/lb
MAP - $683/ton or $0.66/lb
DAP - $700/ton or $.67/lb
Potash - $880/ton or $0.73/lb
10-34-0 - $1038/ton
On-Highway Diesel (Midwest) - $2.04 per gallon
There have been and will continue to be painful adjustments
as farmers, retail dealers and wholesalers sort out
how to navigate the present uncertainties in the fertilizer
markets. Eventually higher priced inventories will be
sold through retailers and the cycle will begin again.
Will all retail crop service companies survive this
upside down fertilizer market? If there is some industry
consolidation, will producers suffer due to lack of
local retail fertilizer dealers? And what will that
mean to competition and price of retail fertilizer in
the long run? Will producers find profitability in 2009
even with these relatively lower fertilizer prices?
Many questions….but not enough evidence yet to
draw conclusions. Most experts agree that in these volatile
times, spreading out fertilizer purchases to take advantage
of some cost averaging may be prudent.
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Free
Business Plan Tool Available
Gene
McCluer, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural
Resources
A
business plan is a written guide to starting and running
your business. This plan will encourage loans, promote
growth, and provide a map for you to follow. I just
found a great new tool that can help you make a business
plan for your business. It is called AgPlan, from the
Center for Farm Financial Management at the University
of Minnesota. These are the people who developed the
Finpack software for farm businesses (balance sheets,
financial analysis, long range budgeting, cash flows,
and more).
The AgPlan program is designed to be used by you on
line. You simply register by putting in your e-mail
address and a password to get in. You create the business
plan by filling in the windows on the screen, but there
are helpful guidelines for each part. You can add a
photo to the front page, change the font or insert tables
if that helps tell your story. You can work on it, then
log off if needed, and come back to it later to finish
it. If you have someone you work with such as a partner,
banker, consultant, etc., you can allow them to review
your plan, and, if you give them permission, they can
help you edit the document. When completed, you can
print out a very professional looking business plan.
Take a look at AgPlan at: http://agplan.umn.edu/
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Chapter
12 Bankruptcy-Hope for Financially Stressed Family Farms
Robert
Moore, Attorney, Wright Law Co. LPA
There are probably few words that have a more negative
connotation in the farm business world as bankruptcy.
Often seen as giving up or quitting, farmers often try
to avoid bankruptcy at all costs as they pride themselves
on their independence and self-reliance. However, Chapter
12 bankruptcy is not for quitters. In fact, it is designed
for those family farms that are willing to keep fighting
to keep their farm going despite being severally financially
stressed. In this article, which originally appeared
in the Buckeye Dairy News, Chapter 12 Bankruptcy is
discussed at length.
http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/resources/chapter12.pdf
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Estate
Planning Resources on Ohioline
Jim
Skeeles, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural
Resources
There are two sets of materials available on estate
planning on the Ohio State University Extension web
site. The first are the newly revised set of twelve
(12) Basic Estate Planning Fact Sheets at either http://ohioline.osu.edu/ep-fact/index.html
or http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/comun.html
The second is a more detailed but less recently updated
set of material (dated November 2003) called "Estate
Planning Considerations for Ohio Families" at http://ohioline.osu.edu/estate/
Other estate planning resources are available as links
to Barry Ward's web page on the OSU Agricultural, Environmental
and Developmental Economics Department web site at:
http://aede.osu.edu/Programs/FarmManagement/MgtPublications.htm
that has the following additional links attached: Estate
Planning for Tomorrow (pdf), Estate Planning: Writing
Wills in Maryland (pdf), Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Estate Planning (html), Farm Transition Planning (HTML).
Go to the last web site above to click on these web
pages.
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Recognizing
Stress and Depression
Chris
Zoller, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural
Resources
As
a high school student I worked on a hog farm operated
by a good family who was well respected throughout the
community. While in college I learned that my previous
employer had fallen into a deep depression, neglected
feeding the animals, and considered suicide as a way
to cope with the low hog prices and high input costs.
Fortunately, the situation was resolved and the family
successfully overcame the situation.
The
economic climate in the dairy industry today is much
like the one this hog farmer experienced. Cases of suicide
have been reported on some dairy farms across the country.
A session on this very topic was one of the most highly
attended at the recent Western Large Herd Dairy Conference.
It is no surprise that dairy farm families are being
negatively impacted by current market prices. Milk income
is significantly lower while expenses have not dropped.
This severe financial strain has caused elevated levels
of stress for dairy farm families. With the financial
stress often comes emotional stress.
There
are a number of signs of stress that can be recognized
by family, friends, employees, veterinarians, Extension
professionals, school personnel, or health and human
service workers. These signs include:
Changes in routine family stops attending
church, 4-H/FFA activities, or no longer stops at the
coffee shop or feed mill.
Care
of livestock declines animals may not be
cared for properly; show signs of neglect.
Increase
in illness may experience more colds, flu,
aches, pains, etc.
Increase
in farm accidents stress causes fatigue
which may result in increased accidents; children may
not be well cared for.
Appearance
of farmstead declines family no longer takes
pride in the way buildings and grounds appear.
Children
show signs of stress children may act out,
be increasingly absent or show declines in academic
performance.
CHRONIC
OR PROLONGED STRESS
Individuals
or families experiencing prolonged stress may exhibit
the following effects:
Physical
headaches, ulcers, backaches, sleep disturbance.
Emotional
sadness, depression, bitterness, anger, anxiety.
Behavioral
irritability, acting out, withdrawal.
Cognitive
memory loss, lack of concentration, inability
to make decisions.
Self-Esteem
I'm a failure., I blew it., Why Can't
I
?
SIGNS
OF DEPRESSION OR SUICIDAL INTENT
Signs
of Depression Signs
of Suicidal Intent
Poor
appearance
Anxiety
Unhappy
feelings
Withdrawal
Negative
thoughts
Helpless and
hopeless
Reduced
activity
Alcohol/drug abuse
People
problems
Previous suicidal
attempts
Physical
problems
Suicidal plan
Guilt/low
self esteem Cries
for help
HOW
TO REFER A PERSON FOR HELP
If
you recognize signs of depression or suicide in a friend
or family member, consider the following:
- Be
aware of the services available in your local community
and what they can offer.
- Listen
for signs the person or family needs help that you
can't provide, i.e., financial, legal, counseling.
- Assess
what community resources would be most appropriate.
- Discuss
referral with the person or family, It sounds/looks
like you are feeling __________. I think __________
could help you deal with your situation.
- If
the person/family is unwilling to take the initiative
or where there is danger if no action is taken, you
need to take the initiative.
- Call
an agency in the community that deals with these
issues.
- Identify
yourself and your relationship with the person or
family for whom you are seeking assistance.
- Explain
to the agency what you believe the person/family
needs.
- Provide
information about the family and particulars of
their situation.
- Ask
the agency what follow-up will be taken.
Many
people are reluctant to get involved in these family
situations because they are very personal issues. However,
it is better to be proactive in getting help for the
person/family than watching something tragic happen
and wishing you had done something.
Source:
Farm and Ranch Family Stress and Depression, A Checklist
for Making Referrals, Roger T. Williams, University
of Wisconsin-Madison and Robert J. Fetsch, Colorado
State University . Available at: http://mtt.cahs.colostate.edu/current_issues/depression
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Deadlines
Extended for ACRE and SURE
Chris
Bruynis, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural
Resources
Farmers
now have more time to make the decision concerning their
farm program choice between the existing DCP and the
new ACRE election. The deadline has been extended
to August 14, 2009. This extension will allow
farmers the opportunity to learn more about the different
options, as well as have a more accurate estimate of
the state revenue guarantee for corn and beans. The
state wheat revenue guarantee will be finalized by this
date. Attached to this article is a factsheet created
by FSA that provides additional information about the
ACRE election.
Although the deadline for making the ACRE election has
been extended, farmers should still be studying and
thinking about the election implications now. For instance,
the 20% reduction in direct payments averages $3.71
per acre here in Ohio, but FSA farms with high corn
base acres will be higher while FSA farms with high
soybean, oat or barley bases will be substantially lower.
Also FSA farms that do not have 100% of the acres in
base acres could potentially benefit since payments
are based on planted acres not base acres.
Why is this important? Since the ACRE election is based
on planted acres instead of base acres, farmers might
want to plant the farms that they are considering on
enrolling in ACRE to the crop that they believe has
the highest probability of receiving an ACRE payment.
For instance if corn prices remain strong (above $3.80
average US cash price for 2009 crop year) then an ACRE
payment will probably not occur. If on the other hand
soybean prices are weak (below $8.75 average US cash
price for 2009 crop year) then and ACRE payment is probable.
If this is the scenario that one expects then the farms
that might be enrolled in ACRE should be planted to
soybeans. These prices are for illustrative purposes
only and should not be considered accurate. Every farmer
should access the ACRE program software at
http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/ to determine the numbers
for their farm using their own assumptions.
Also farmers need to be aware that to be eligible for
SURE (and any potential payments) on the 2008 crops
they will need to purchase CAT and NAP on all insurable
crops by May 18, 2009. Paying such a buy-in fee does
not provide the producer with crop insurance or NAP
for the 2008 crop year; it merely permits the producer
to become eligible for the 2008-crop disaster assistance
programs. Farmers need to access the SURE calculator
at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/sure_calculator.xls
and enter their farms information to determine if “buying-in”
makes sense for their farming operation. Below are a
few factsheets that provide additional information about
the programs.
ACRE
Program Backgrounder
http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/resources/acrebkgrd.pdf
ACRE
Factsheet
http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/resources/acre.pdf
SURE
Factsheet
http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/resources/Sure_Factsheet.pdf
DCP
Program Factsheet
http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/resources/dcp2008.pdf
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Dairy
Critical Issue Briefs (DIBS)
Dianne
Shoemaker, Extension Dairy Specialist, shoemaker.3@osu.edu
Dairy
Critical Issue Briefs (DIBS) address issues facing dairy
producers dealing with today’s pitiful milk prices.
Plummeting prices in the dairy industry are creating
critical cash-flow and long-term survivability issues
on Ohio’s 3,328 dairy farms. Cost-cutting decisions
must be made with full awareness of both short and long-term
production and economic consequences. OSU Extension’s
Dairy Working Group, a collaboration of OSU Extension
and OARDC faculty is identifying and addressing critical
issues in five areas:
• Nutrition and feed costs
• Reproduction and health
• Calf and heifer management
• Business issues
• People and stress management
A
series of 27 Issue Briefs (DIBS) targets management
issues being addressed on farms now. The Issue Briefs
can be found at the http://dairy.osu.edu/DIBS/dibs.html
web site. DIBS currently posted include:
DIB#1-09 Can I use more corn silage in my diets to reduce
cash feed costs?
DIB#2-09 Is it time for Daisy to go on a truck ride?
DIB#3-09 Will changing from a confinement system to
a grazing system reduce my short term costs?
DIB#4-09 How can I lower feed costs in a management
intensive grazing system?
DIB#5-09 Should I remove feed additives from my diet
to reduce short term costs?
DIB#6-09 Observing signs of stress and depression
DIB#7-09 What happened to our dairy exports?
DIB#8-09 Should I use silage additives this year?
DIB#10-09 Should I wean calves earlier?
The emphasis is on “brief”, with a short
explanation of the issue, the conclusion and contact
information for the author(s) if you have further questions.
As additional DIBS are completed, they are posted to
the OSU Resources for Ohio’s Dairy Industry Website.
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Management
Resources for Farmers
Francisco
A. Espinoza, Ag & Hort Labor Education, Ohio State
University Extension (espinoza.9@cfaes.osu.edu)
Delegation can be a useful and efficient management
tool for employers dealing with the major aspects of
their farm/business. A foreman or other mid-management
staff can be trusted to work directly with labor, coordinate
worksite activities and even lend a hand. Proper teamwork
and division of labor can also make for a smooth-running
operation. However, labor can have off-the-job issues
and needs best “delegated” to outside organizations,
and some management resources are also found off the
farm. This is especially true for regulatory and compliance
issues. No need to re-invent the wheel or specialize
in everything yourself.
In Ohio, we have developed positive, collaborative relationships
among employers, labor, organizations and agencies.
Gathered under the same “umbrella”, we are
all stakeholders dedicated to promoting and sustaining
agriculture’s role in the state economy. The following
are major management resources available to our employers,
focusing on regulation and compliance:
ODJFS Farmworker Program
Benito Lucio, Jr. 614-466-9646
Benito.Lucio@jfs.ohio.gov
H2A/
Foreign Labor
Pablo
Nunez 614-466-9636
Pablo.Nunez@jfs.ohio.gov
MidAmerican Ag & Hort Services
Brandon Mallory 419-724-2930
maahsadmin@eisc.org
Ohio
Dept. of Health
Willard
Stamper 614-644-8605
will.stamper@odh.ohio.gov
In addition, Northwest Ohio offers a Pre-Season Conference
sponsored by the FALCON interagency network. Agencies
and organizations gather with growers to start off the
season with information on programs and services, and
with insight into both ongoing and developing issues.
The Conference also serves to reinforce relationships
among all parties that will continue through the season
and beyond. Similar networks meet in the Dayton, Springfield,
Defiance and Hartville areas.
Some Helpful Tips:
• Learn about the agencies in your area.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Let your workers know that you support agency
programs and services.
• Try to participate in or promote agency-sponsored
activities.
• Let program and service providers know what
your worker needs are.
Access these resources and maximize your management
time.
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if you have problems subscribing.
The
Ohio Ag Manager newsletter is published in collaboration
by OSU Extension Educators and Faculty members of Ohio
State University's Department of Agricultural, Environmental
and Development Economics.
Ohio
Ag Manager Team Leaders: Chris Bruynis & David Marrison
Web
Page Managers: David Marrison & Andy Kleinschmidt
Information
presented above and where trade names are used, they
are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination
is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University
Extension is implied.
Ohio
State University Extension embraces human diversity
and is committed to ensuring that all research and related
educational programs are available to clientele on a
nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran
status. This statement is in accordance with United
States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA.
Keith
L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural
Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension
TDD No. 800-589-8292 ( Ohio only) or 614-292-1868
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