He says it’s not about climate. So why is Bill Gates buying so much farmland?

For many investors, farmland was not on the radar as an investable asset class until earlier this year, when it was revealed that the largest owners of US farmland were none other than Bill and Melinda Gates.

Dairy Farmers Could Qualify for Additional COVID and DMC payments

The USDA has announced additional assistance for dairy farmers and improvements to the Dairy Margin Coverage Program.

About $350 million dollars are available through a new Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance program for farmers who were impacted by government purchase price swings.

A Closer Look at Western Drought and Wildfires from Wyoming

On Monday, August 16, the federal government officially declared a “water shortage” at Lake Mead – the largest reservoir on the Colorado River on the Nevada-Arizona border.  Rather than shocking, the announcement has been a long-time coming. Water shortages in the Colorado River Basin are a common dinner-topic in my neck of the woods in Wyoming, one of 7 states that rely on the river system for drinking water and food production. 

IOWA LAW PROTECTING ANIMAL FACILITIES FROM ACTIVISTS LYING TO GAIN ACCESS UPHELD BY U.S. COURT OF AP

A recent federal court ruling will protect Iowa’s livestock industry from animal rights activists who lie to gain access to animal facilities.

Agricultural real estate values up 7% — largest increase since 2012

The most recent Land Values 2021 Summary report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows agricultural land values increasing at a rate not seen in nearly a decade. It also provides a glimpse of future production costs that farmers may face as they negotiate rental contracts this fall.

MiFarmLink Project to help develop, maintain Michigan farmers, farmland

A West Michigan project aims to bridge the succession planning gap for aging farmers.

And protect Michigan farmland, said Becky Huttenga, economic development coordinator for Ottawa County. The area’s latest effort is the MiFarmLink Project, which uses U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to support beginning and experienced farmers for the next generation.

Farm Credit System’s Young, Beginning, and Small farmer lending volume growing

The Farm Credit System’s Young, Beginning, and Small (YBS) farmer loan program showed strong growth in 2020 with total loan dollar volume and the total number of loans increasing, according to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).

Cover Crops Spur New Ideas for Dairy Forages

A Michigan dairy farmer says after a cover crop trial this year he’ll be considering other forage options in rotations moving forward. 

MSU Extension releases new budgeting tool for all crops

MSU Extension offers a variety of planning tools, including various Crop Budget Estimators. These Microsoft Excel-based tools have previously been offered in versions for grain or forage crops. Now a new version offers planning assistance for all crops. Whether you raise fruits, vegetables, or small grains, the new “all crops” version offers a starting point for your budget planning needs. It highlights key decision areas to consider as you plan for and evaluate your growing season. 

Stabenow Confident Infrastructure Bill Will Pass

The Senate Ag Committee Chair says she’s confident the Senate infrastructure bill will pass as early as tomorrow, “I expect this piece to get all the way through and to the president’s desk and I expect the second part of the ‘Build Back Better’ agenda to get there as well.”