Sugar beet summary

I was just reading through the summary of the 2010 review from the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in the January 2011 edition of "The SugarBeet Grower Magazine."


SMBSC's Todd Geselius reported that SMBSC's growers ended the 2010 crop year by delivering 3,094,801 tons from 114,893 harvested acres, resulting in an average yield of 26.94 tons per acre. "This is the second largest crop we have grown at Southern Minnesota, surpassed only by the 2009 crop," noted Geselius. "The sugar content ended the season at 16.23%." Overall, it was considered a great crop year.


I compared that to the results from some of the other sugar companies that reported in, and SMBSC seemed to be in line. For example, American Crystal Sugar Company reported 26.3 tons per acre (which was the highest average yield in their history) and just over 18% sugar content. The Michigan Sugar Company averaged 26.07 tons per acre (which was also second highest in their history) and 18.17% for grower sugar. Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative harvested 3,108,000 tons of sugarbeets with an average of 27.15 tons per acre, with average sugar content of 16.8%.


Successful harvests are likely to continue to push land values and rents higher in the future. To learn more about your options for seeling or renting your land, please contact me at 320-894-7528 or noah@farmlandman.com. I'd love to help you make the most of this market!


Take care,
Noah Hultgren
The FarmlandMan
www.farmlandman.com

15 reasons why farmers shouldn't speak up

Here is a link that was forwarded to me from a colleague. It's a highly sarcastic (tongue-in-cheek) list of why farmers SHOULD NOT stand up and speak out for agriculture.

After all, non-farmers are already very knowledgeable about what farmers do, right?

http://www.causematters.com/advocacy/why-farmers-should-not-speak-up/

Michele's list has hit a nerve for some of us, but also allows us to laugh about the perceptions of our industry. I hope you enjoy the blog!

Have a great week!

Noah
The FarmlandMan.com
320-894-7528

How Low Can They Go?

Though they've crept up in recent weeks, mortgage rates remain at ridiculously low levels (I've seen quotes for 30-Year Fixed Mortgages at 4.39% this week; and 15-Year Mortgages at 3.76%), meaning now might be the perfect time for you to buy a new house.

I am a Realtor with experience dealing with residential and farm properties in the Willmar area. The most recent data show that the median sales price for homes in Kandiyohi County remained around $130,000 to $135,000; and while the number of sales reported dropped a little from 2008 to 2009, the market has improved in 2010.

Sales prices have been lower in surrounding counties like Renville (about $70,000 to $75,000), Swift ($75,000 to $80,000) and Chippewa ($75,000 to $85,000), and Chippewa saw a decline in median prices from 2008 to 2009. Prices rose about 10% to 15% in both Swift and Renville during that time frame.

If you're looking for a house right now, I'd love to help you find the right one. I am easy to work with, and can make sure you pick out a house with a mortgage that works for you. Give me a call at 320-894-7528 or e-mail me at noah@farmlandman.com and I will help you out!

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Noah Hultgren
The FarmlandMan
http://www.farmlandman.com/