One of the many challenges facing Nebraska landowners are high property taxes and they continue to be a top concern, and for good reason: The Tax Foundation’s 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index ranked Nebraska 12th highest in property taxes and 26th highest in income taxes in the nation. In fact, property taxes account […]
Despite myriad opinions regarding ethanol mandates among the US population, and even among farmers themselves, four out of the five remaining presidential candidates support the continuance of the 2005 congressional mandate. Also known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), it requires refiners to blend enormous amounts of biofuel, mostly corn-based ethanol, into gasoline. Many corn […]
Amid continuing low commodity prices, farmers across the state are facing challenges heading into the 2016 growing season. As expected, land values and rental rates are following suit. According to preliminary findings from the latest University of Nebraska–Lincoln Farm Real Estate Market Survey, ag producers will contend with tighter margins for servicing rent and […]
With the 2016 growing season just around the corner, farmers are not only busying themselves with planting preparation, but also with insurance coverage decisions. The deadline to sign up for crop insurance coverage is March 15. With the latest Farm Bill rollout, Revenue Protection crop insurance has taken the spotlight as not only simply another […]
Of the numerous decisions to be made by farmers and landowners, many deal with farm leases. Often, questions arise when it comes to leasing matters, be they large questions (how much should I charge?) or smaller questions (are grain bins included in my lease?) However, it’s very important to know your leasing options, especially now […]
We’ve written a lot about land values—their steady rise over the last decade, their leveling off in 2014-15, and their continued substantial portfolio value to farmers and non-farmers alike. With lower commodities prices, combined with an interest rate increase and more likely to come, will farmland values continue to be a sought after asset? What […]
One can analyze interest rates, foreign economies, grain supplies, and input costs all day long, but when it comes to farming, in the end, the old adage is true: It all depends on the weather. As Nebraska farmers plow through the drifts left by Winter Storm Kayla, they’re already thinking about planting season just around […]
Remember when crude oil was around $150 a barrel, around 8 years ago? Most people do, especially if you had to fill up a tank of fuel in your car or tractor. enjoy a complex relationship with the price of oil, and now, with oil prices vastly lower—under $30 a barrel earlier this week—farmers are […]
It has long been anticipated that the Federal Reserve would be raising the interest rate in the foreseeable future, and last month it finally actualized. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen announced in December that the interest rate would increase from 0-0.25 percent to 0 .25-0.50 percent. While not a large increase, the raise will still […]
For the past several months, both US economists and farmers have been keeping a close watch of the economic health of China. Despite the fact that it’s on the other half of the globe, China’s economy has many effects on our own, namely in the agriculture sector, as the Chinese government is the largest importer […]
