An overall decrease of 5.6 percent for custom work can be expected in 2018, according to results of the 2018 Custom Rate Survey, conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Laura Ann Pautsch, former Mapleton Starspinner from Monona County 4-H, recently began her dream career with the opening of her online boutique, Laura Ann’s. Coming from a small Iowa town did not stop Pautsch from dreaming big and striving to reach her goals.
The next Women Planning Ag Businesses class is coming to Ames, Feb. 3 through March 3, 2018. During the program, women will draft their own business plans for start-up, continuing or expanding businesses.
Three Safety and Health Best Practices for Agritourism Businesses Workshops will be held during the winters of 2018 and 2019. Attendees will learn safety and health best practices to keep the public and employees safe while on the farm.
The International Harvester Collector’s Club Iowa Chapter 5 has committed to continue to support Iowa 4-H projects for the next six years.
Beef producers and agri-business professionals will learn about changes rapidly occurring in the beef industry at the Feedlot Forum 2018 at the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center on Jan. 16.
2017 has been a challenging year for farmers and 2018 may be similar. Crop profit margins are tight once again, as more farms face cash flow and working capital constraints. But farmers and their families don’t have to deal with the stress by themselves, says Margaret Van Ginkel, coordinator of Iowa Concern, a program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Managing a farm’s cash flow is critical. The ability to generate cash is what allows farmers to pay their bills. Steve Johnson, farm management specialist, has recommendations for farmers trying to maximize their cash flow.
Because of the additional risk to the seller, those thinking of using deferred price contracts should carefully evaluate the financial position of firms they are thinking of entering into an agreement with. The type of information sellers should be looking for is highlighted in the publication, “Evaluating a Company’s Financial Position before Selling Grain on Deferred Price Contracts."
The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center is assisting producer groups gathering information to use in applying for USDA Rural Business and Cooperative Service value-added producer grants.
