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Organic certification can be a valuable economic avenue for farmers to pursue, as it allows them to access both new markets and higher price premiums. However, many farmers either are not familiar with the organic certification process and are not able to assess whether it would work for their operation, or are daunted by the scope of change and record-keeping needed to obtain organic certification. New resources are available for farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about organic...
The deadline for 2023 Phase II Annual Reports is Dec. 31. If you farm in a Phase II or Phase III area, you are required to submit a Phase II report for every field larger than 40 acres. Where more than 50 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen fertilizer, commercial or organic, is applied, (for example: corn) a full report is required. A mandatory two-foot deep soil sampling analysis is required for the Phase II report. The soil sample used on the 2023 annual report should have been taken in Fall 2022 or Spring 2023. If less than 50 pounds per...
Beth Corymb is a fourth-generation farmer living in Scottsbluff. Although she grew up on her family's farm, she was not always sure that was the life she wanted to pursue. "I left for 37 years because I wanted to experience something different, but I told myself never to forget," Corymb said. She went to college to study music, but after taking an ecological course, she said her mind was opened to the reality of what was happening to the earth. She was soon introduced to the concept of...
Across the country, thousands of farmers grow small grains such as wheat, oats, barley and rye. Some choose to do so for conservation benefits, while others aim to diversify their income streams, to take advantage of local markets or meet the requirements of organic certification. But, as with growing any crop, there are associated risks. While farmers who grow crops like corn and soybeans often purchase federal crop insurance to manage risk, far less insure their small grains. Studies also...
For thousands of farming operations across the country, small grains provide big benefits. Producers growing small grains cite reasons ranging from conservation purposes to the requirements of organic certification to diversification of income streams to taking advantage of local markets. However, while small grains have demonstrable benefits, as with all crops they come with associated risks. In the coming months, farmers across the country will contact their agents to purchase federal crop ins...