Timely Topics

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “The only constant is change.” Agriculture has always been risky, but those risks have changed over time. Some risks have decreased due to better technology or management practices. Others have increased...

The Achieving Success in Agriculture Conference is designed to provide agriculture students and young, beginning agricultural producers with knowledge and tools to help them achieve success in their agricultural business endeavors.

A new risk management tool has become available to Utah agricultural producers for pasture, rangeland, and forage. Starting with the 2011 crop year, the Vegetation Index pilot program for pasture, rangeland, and forage has been expanded to all counties in Utah and preliminary studies show this ...Click here for more

Crop insurance is a common risk management tool available to agricultural producers. In an effort to simplify the program, several of the separate RMA crop insurance policies are now combined into one Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP).

In 2008, USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced that the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Insurance Policy would be available in Utah. Given the volatility of milk and feed markets over the past two years, producers may be wondering if purchasing the insurance would have helped them.

This past year is probably one that most cattlemen are glad to have over and I am sure are looking for better things in 2010. After averaging near $93 per cwt. for fed cattle in 2007 and 2008, prices declined to only average $83 in 2009. What hope is there for 2010?

Many agricultural producers in Utah hire others to perform some custom farm work in order to accomplish all the tasks necessary to ensure success in their agricultural business. Similarly, some farmers also provide custom work for others. The purpose of this report is to provide agricultural ...Click here for more

The volatility of commodity prices has left many producers worried about the financial stability of their operation. In uncertain times, when financial risks seem to be at their peak, it becomes even more crucial to make wise decisions and adequately manage those risks.

Last year, USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced the emergence of a new insurance product called the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Insurance Policy. This relatively new insurance product is available to dairy producers in many states as a risk management tool.

As we finish up 2008, what a year it has been. The collapse of Wall Street and the impact that had on the commodity markets was likely what most people will remember. But before that occurred several commodity markets also reached new historically high prices.