查看更多>>摘要：Freddy Daniels believes in keeping good farm records. The Wilson, N.C., tobacco and row crop farmer doesn't figure them with a computer but, he says, they are complete and the numbers are viable and useful. "I can go back and tell you for many yearswhat things have cost, which farms have historically produced more and which have produced less," he says. "I've got records, even though I do mine with pen, paper and small calculator, that will probably keep up with anybody's computer. The only difference is other people let their computer calculate their numbers automatically, where I'm still doing mine manually."
查看更多>>摘要：Sixty percent of West Virginia farm production is in three counties, Hardy, Pendleton and Grant. More and more farming in the state is becoming a niche or cottage industry. Branson Farms in Hardy County, though, is a 1,000-acre crop and livestock operation with cattle and 13 poultry houses where the owners raise 350,000 turkeys each year. Rodney Branson says he, his brother and his father, who have two farm identities but share equipment and labor, are looking at value-added strategies, too, specifically by providing superior genetics in cattle breeding stock.
查看更多>>摘要：Could I save money on my power bill? That's a question most of us only think about once a month--when die bill lands in the mailbox. But with a little management, you may indeed be able to lower that bill, not just this winter, but year-round. Most farmers need to examine how efficiently they are using the power they are buying now, according to Richard Hiatt, president of the National Food and Energy Council (NFEC). "Looking at how you use energy now is going to be a good return on your money," hesays.
查看更多>>摘要：Many farmers are struggling with how to allocate crop acreage bases (CABs) under the new farm program. A working understanding of what you can do paves the way for making decisions on what you should do. Farmers have five options for setting CABs: 1)Keep existing Production Flexibility Contract (PFC) CABs from the 1996 Farm Bill. 2) Add eligible oilseed CABs to existing PFC CABs. CAB for any individual oilseed cannot exceed 1998-2001 average plantings.
查看更多>>摘要：Getting through the enrollment process for the new farm program will be easier if you know what you need before you get to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The first step is knowing the crop acreage base (CAB) option you want on each farm beforeyou go to your local FSA office. The staff simply won't have time to explain each option if you don't have a good working knowledge. They'll urge you to attend the next scheduled farm program information meeting.
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