Investment and Land Markets Perspective

Chuck Zimmerman

It was a morning of economics at the AgroNomics Conference. Michael Swanson, Senior VP/Agricultural Economist and Consultant, Wells Fargo & Company, tackled the subject of “U.S. & Global Perspective on Investment and Land Markets.”

Michael’s presentation provided producers and lenders with information that allowed them to better understand the drivers of the current global agricultural market. ASFMRA members were able to see how land valuation is not tied to nominal dollar valuations but true repayment capacity relative to alternative assets. I recorded his presentation for you to listen to and learn.

Listen to Michael’s remarks here: Remarks from Michael Swanson

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio

New Herbicide Label “Warrants” Excitement

Cindy Zimmerman

The recent labeling of Warrant® Herbicide for pre-emergence use gives cotton and soybean farmers a new tool for residual weed control.

“Warrant herbicide will provide more options now that we’ve got a pre- and post-emerge label,” said Tyler Hackstadt, selective chemistry marketing lead for Monsanto, in an interview with Randall Weiseman of Southeast AgNet.

Listen to Randall’s report here: Southeast AgNet Report

The new, expanded label for Warrant provides farmers with more flexibility to manage small seeded grasses and broadleaf weeds, as well as tough-to-control weeds like Palmer amaranth and tall waterhemp in either a pre- or post-emergence application. Monsanto offers Roundup Ready PLUS™ Weed Management Solutions to help farmers take a proactive approach to weed control. The Roundup Ready PLUS platform was developed by Monsanto in conjunction with leading academics, agronomists and other industry partners. Farmers can visit RoundupReadyPLUS.com or download the Weed Manager PLUS mobile application to access the latest weed management recommendations, information about financial incentives for farmers who use qualifying residual herbicides and other weed management resources.

Audio, weed management

Factors Impacting Global Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

What is ahead for global agriculture? Now there’s a question that can’t be easy to answer. But that’s the task Steve Elmore, Economics Director, Dupont Pioneer, had this morning at the AgroNomics Conference.

Steve provided attendees with information on the current major factors influencing agriculture. By understanding what these are ASFMRA members can draw more informed conclusions about the current and future health of this economic sector. There’s a lot of information in this presentation so I just recorded it all for your listening and learning pleasure.

Listen to Steve’s remarks here: Remarks from Steve Elmore

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Pioneer

Some Perspective on Land Values

Chuck Zimmerman

The value of land is a big topic of discussion at AgroNomics. We’re seeing some very high values and selling prices these days.

I talked with Howard Halderman, Halderman Farm Management (on left in photo), to get his perspective on where we’re at in the U.S. with land values. He says landowners are very happy right now since higher land values are really making their balance sheet look better. Of course then the question comes up, “Should I sell?” Howard says that depending on your personal goals it could be. Another question he is hearing a lot is “Are we in a farmland value bubble?” Howard doesn’t think farmland is at a bubble point yet. But it could get there if there is a significant decline in commodity prices and an interest spike. I asked him if the drought had an impact on land values. He sees the drought as more of a production problem than a land value problem. The drought was devastating to a lot of farmers but with many using crop insurance and with the current high commodity prices farm income is still high.

Listen to my interview with Howard here: Interview with Howard Halderman

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio

Education for Farm Managers/Rural Appraisers

Chuck Zimmerman

Continuing education is very important to farm managers and rural appraisers and very much a part of what ASFMRA offers to its members. Meet ASFMRA Education Chair for Appraisers, Justin Bierschwale, Bierschwale Land Company. Here at AgroNomics Justin is serving on the program committee and conducted one of the educational presentations.

Justin says AgroNomics offers a variety of educational seminars. One of the topics on top of everyone’s minds is farmland values. So some of the discussion focuses on the trends and factors that are affecting them now and in the future. A new seminar focuses on the valuation of vineyards as they have spread across the country.

Listen to my interview with Justin here: Interview with Justin Bierschwale

2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio, Education

Opening of AgroNomics

Chuck Zimmerman

It is always inspiring to see our FFA members in their blue coats. Here are Shelby Riley (left) and Brandan Bergdall holding the flags that they presented to start off the 2012 American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Annual Meeting and AgroNomics – Vision 2013.

I asked both FFA’ers how their convention went since both attended and what they were looking forward to in the next year.

Listen to my interview with Shelby and Brandan here: Interview with FFA

Photos from the Agronomics and the ASFMRA Annual Meeting can be found here: 2012 Agronomics Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA

Time for Some Agronomics

Chuck Zimmerman

I have made it to my first American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Annual Meeting, along with the Agronomics conference.

AgroNomics – Vision 2013 to be held October 29 – November 2, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana offers interaction opportunities for investors and fund managers together with the land management, property valuation, agricultural consulting, and rural land & property sales experts of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers.

I’ve got a full slate of interviews scheduled over the next couple days and will be taking all the photos I can. Follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #AgInvest.

Have a very safe Halloween.

AgWired coverage of the ASFMRA Agronomics Conference is sponsored by Halderman Farm Management.

Uncategorized

Farm Foundation to Hold Policy Forum Post Polls

John Davis

While we might know who is elected after November 6th, knowing what they might do could still be a bit murky, especially when it comes to agriculture, food and rural policies. That’s why Farm Foundation is holding a forum about a week after the polls close to look at what those newly elected and re-elected pols will do. The forum will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, Washington D.C.

And for the first time a free live, webcast of the forum will be offered. You can see the webcast by registering here. Email julie@farmfoundation.org by Nov. 12th if you plan to attend in person.

“By their votes on Nov. 6, citizens will set the stage for the next four years of the nation’s policy development at both the state and federal level,” says Foundation President Neil Conklin. “This Forum is an opportunity to examine how those elections may specifically impact agriculture, food and rural policies in the months ahead.”

Farm Foundation, politics

Being Relevant to Your Customers

Chuck Zimmerman

Is your company still relevant to your customers? Well I hope so. But if you want to delve in to this Ross Shafer can help. Ross was the keynote speaker at the O.H. Kruse Grain & Milling dealer appreciation day. I first met Ross during this year’s Agri-Marketing Conference. He’s a very informative and entertaining speaker. He says the customer will always get what he wants and how he wants it.

Ross told everyone to go mobile or go home. By that he means having a mobile app or a website that is constructed to show and work properly regardless of the device used to look at it. He also talked about relationship factors as in when people like you they give you their money. Ross not only talked about being relevant during his keynote but also conducted a session on “How to Grab Market Share From Your Competitors.”

Listen to my interview with Ross here: Interview with Ross Shafer

O.H. Kruse Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, O.H. Kruse

Some O.H. Kruse Memories

Chuck Zimmerman

When you’ve got a company that is three generations old you can bet there are lots of memories. I captured some of those memories of O.H. Kruse Grain & Milling by talking with Richard Kruse, Kruse Feed & Supply. Richard is pictured on the left with his nephew, Kevin Kruse.

Richard started out working in his father’s business and it is all he’s known his whole life. He says that as a boy he remembers waking up to the sound of a grinder going off at about five in the morning. He says it has been a great ride because of the people they have been associated with and who believed in them. Richard says a key to their success is having a belief in all members of their working “family.” There’s nothing he likes better than seeing his customers grow and prosper because that helps them do the same.

Listen to my interview with Richard here: Interview with Richard Kruse

O.H. Kruse Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Feed, O.H. Kruse