The researchers asked more than 5,200 U.S. farmers about used FME markets during early 2010. More than 2,500 (48%) responded and gave information about recent used FME transactions, ratings of different ways to buy and sell used FME and attitudes and opinions regarding local FME dealers and used FME auction venues.

They found that U.S. farmers were active in used FME markets with 69% purchasing and 40% selling (not including trade-ins) used FME within the past 5 years. Most buyers of used FME bought from dealerships (55%), while other popular purchasing venues included auctions (16%) and classified ads (10%). Less than 5% bought from auctions or ads over the internet. Most buyers felt they paid fair market value (83%) and felt certain about the quality of the item before they took possession (94%). Internet buyers were less likely to say they got a fair deal but were similarly certain of the quality of items.

Most sellers of used FME relied upon personal contacts or simple for-sale signs to sell their equipment (43%), with auctions (22%) and classified ads (22%) being the next most popular mode of sale. Less than 5% of these non-traded used FME items were sold via internet. Most sellers (87%) also felt they received fair market value for their items, including those who sold via internet. When asked about the degree of satisfaction they had with all components of the selling process, those who had sold via internet classified ads reported the greatest satisfaction.

All respondents then rated five different ways of buying or selling used FME: dealership, auction, internet auction, classified ad and internet classified ad. Prospective buyers had the most favorable impressions of dealers and the least favorable impressions of internet auctions, while prospective sellers had the most favorable impressions of classified ads and the least favorable impressions of internet auctions. Despite these unfavorable impressions of internet venues, 55% of prospective buyers and 71% of sellers might consider using internet classified ads in the future.

The study also asked about the number of local FME dealerships that farmers had done business with during the past 5 years and the quality of the relationship the farmer had with the dealership that was most integral to current farming operations. More than 80% had done business with at least two dealerships while 26% had done business with four or more dealers. However, there were regional differences, with farmers in the South and West listing fewer dealer relationships than farmers in the East or Midwest. Most farmers were pleased with the repair and parts service provided by the local dealer (88%) and with how they were treated during sales and trade-ins (77%). However, nearly one in four farmers felt that the business relationship they have with their closest dealership could be in jeopardy if they ‘shopped around' to other dealers to get a better price.

Respondents were asked why they attend auctions and how much trust they would place in the quality of items sold in various auction formats. U.S. farmers were most attracted to auctions for reasons of gauging local market conditions and networking with other farmers and community members rather than as a means of getting better prices or a fairer deal. Farmers also said they were more likely to trust the quality of items being sold at local auctions more than those sold at regional auctions or internet auctions.

The researchers concluded the results paint a first picture of U.S. farmers' engagement in used FME markets and suggest that the internet currently plays a minor role in actual transactions within this key asset market. While few buyers and sellers of used FME currently use the internet, those who reported selling via internet feel they received fair market value and feel a high level of satisfaction with the selling process and many buyers and sellers report they would consider internet venues for future used FME transaction. In order for the internet to grow into a viable venue in this market, buyers will have to be convinced that they are receiving fair market value and more potential sellers must become aware of the low commissions charged by internet auction sites.

For more information, including the full report and copies of the surveys go to: http://aede.osu.edu/people/ roe.30/FME.htm

“As always, exhibitors will be showing a variety of products and services of interest to farm owners and operators,” says Rob Juneau, WPS Farm Show manager. “This includes tractors and field machinery and parts; feed, livestock and manure-handling equipment; ventilation systems; lighting; milking and barn equipment and supplies; financial, insurance and real estate services; and seed, feed and fertilizer.”

Juneau adds that the show is “going green” this year by purchasing its electricity through WPS’s NatureWise program. NatureWise offers renewable energy from wind and biomass resources in northeast Wisconsin.
Admission to the farm show is free, and parking is $3 per vehicle. Gates are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

“The show comes at the time of year when farmers are anticipating the upcoming planting and haying seasons,” Juneau notes. “That’s why this event has become known as a ‘buying’ show because they’re ready to invest in new equipment and try new methods.”
Among the highlights of this year’s show are the following:
• over 430 vendors throughout the EAA grounds
• more than 800 indoor and outdoor booths covering the 10-acre site
• free motorized scooters for attendees who need mobility assistance
• seminars on energy efficiency, sand separation, ventilation, building integrated photovaltaics
• silent auctions to benefit the Wisconsin FFA Foundation each day
• routine medical screenings provided by University of Wisconsin-
• Oshkosh Health on Tuesday and Thursday only: blood pressure screenings are free, blood sugar screenings cost $5, cholesterol tests cost $10
• centrally located food tent offering a wide selection of food from nonprofit commodity groups
• on-site agricultural consultants from Wisconsin Public Service to answer energy management questions.

How to get to the show
Directions from north of Oshkosh: Take Hwy. 41 south to Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East (Exit 116). Turn left onto Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East. Turn right onto Knapp Street. Bear right onto Poberezny Road. Turn left onto Waukau Avenue.
Directions from south of Oshkosh: Take Hwy. 41 north to Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East (Exit 116). Turn right onto Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East. Turn right onto Knapp Street. Bear right onto Poberezny Road. Turn left onto Waukau Avenue.
Alternate directions from south of Oshkosh: Take Hwy. 41 north to Hwy. 26/County Road N East (Exit 113). Turn right onto Hwy. 26. Turn left onto Poberezny Road. Turn right onto Waukau Avenue.

While some may say the recession is over, jobs are still scarce and many still feel the pinch. If you’re looking for extra income, an interesting hobby or a new business, why not try farming? The New Jersey Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-NJ) can help. They are holding two new classes this month on how to start up or expand agricultural businesses.
“Farming” often brings to mind images of fields spreading out far and wide, cavernous barns full of cows, and tractors with giant tires. But farming is actually quite diverse. Even small properties can support a surprising array of agricultural products.

As NOFA-NJ points out, there are niche markets for everything from goat cheese to fresh flowers and heirloom tomatoes. Maybe your favorite restaurant is importing specialty herbs that YOU could raise and sell. Or maybe your town has a farmers market where you could set up a booth on weekends.

And don’t forget that organic products grown close to home are increasingly popular in the Garden State. Health-conscious consumers are seeking out foods grown without pesticides or fertilizers, and many New Jersey residents are looking to buy local.
“Exploring The Small Farm Dream” is NOFA-NJ’s four-week class designed to help answer the question, “Is starting an agricultural business right for me?” If you have ever thought about using your green thumb to earn some greenbacks, this course may be the perfect starting point. You will learn about small-scale farming opportunities, how to assess personal and financial resources, conduct market research and develop a business plan.

If the seeds of an agricultural business have already been planted in your mind, check out NOFA-NJ’s more comprehensive course titled, “Tilling the Soil of Opportunity.” This course is geared toward farmers looking for innovative ideas and enhanced marketing opportunities. Topics include equipment, legal issues, management and communication, risk management, marketing, budgeting and accounting, financing, succession planning, and how to evaluate resources, among others.

Both classes begin in mid-February and will be held at Duke Farms in Hillsborough.

You can register for either course by calling (908) 722-3700 any day between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information contact NOFA-NJ at (908) 371-1111 or download a brochure under the ‘Events’ link at www.nofanj.org.

Many small farmers are moving toward a more environmentally conscious model of agriculture. For the small farmer, this move comes with economic risks. By purchasing, fixing and maintaining used farm tractors, the farmer can mitigate his economic risk while creating a new way of sustainable agriculture on his own farm.

Most small family farmers are self-taught experts in many fields. They have to be. For them, maintaining and fixing their own equipment is imperative to their economic survival. Therefore, most used farm tractors are in good shape or in easily fixable shape. As their needs change, farmers frequently sell their used equipment. Finding these tractors and other equipment is easy. Most farm bureaus, online farm community sites, farm cooperative publications and old-fashioned word-of-mouth are all good places to start when looking for previously owned tractors.

By maintaining their used farm tractors, farmers are keeping this equipment from entering the junkyard. Because equipment is older, it is far more affordable for the small farmer who has decided to make the economic and philosophical change toward a more sustainable type of agriculture. Used farm tractors can serve as a solid economic incentive to the small farmer.

Obtaining used farm tractors can also be a learning experience for the entire farm family. Working on and maintaining equipment can be a great way for a farm family to learn mechanics together. Retrofitting used farm equipment for a more environmentally friendly use is another step in this learning process.

Many small farm families are moving toward sustainability. Every year, more consumers are becoming increasingly conscientious about purchasing more local, more organic food. In order to fill this need and to be able to compete with factory farms, the small family farmer is turning toward the environmentally friendly sustainable agriculture model. They can find their niche and strive for economic viability. Used farm tractors are one step in this process.

Used farm tractors are a positive step toward sustainable agriculture for the small family farmer. The farm family can move forward without the added worry of expensive, new equipment. Re-purposing older machines is an essential component to this greener future.
Finding a good deal can be difficult, check out my website Used Farm Tractors for more information and great deals. Also if you are looking for farm tractors for sale click here.

“40 Shows and Still Going Strong”

Power Show Ohio has solutions on display. When it comes to new technology, the greening of the power equipment industry and safety, Power Show Ohio will draw together the innovators and products that will inspire customers. Showcasing a wide variety of power equipment, Power Show Ohio will be a perfect opportunity for full-time farmers, part-time farmers, landscapers, contractors, commercial cutters, municipalities and all equipment users to see and learn just about everything there is to know about power equipment.

Power Show Ohio has become an event not to miss for all types of users of all kinds of power equipment. January 29, 30 and 31, thousands of visitors will explore the more than 600 brands of equipment. This annual show displays the newest and best in tractors, skid steer loaders, commercial mowing equipment, all terrain vehicles, grain handling, computer software, fence building, hay equipment, buildings, backhoes, logging equipment, compact tractors, livestock equipment and a number of exhibits from colleges and universities. Special daily educational seminars, door prizes, cooking demonstrations and the National Kiddie Tractor Pull are also featured.

Power Show Ohio will span three days and fully fill four buildings on the grounds of the Ohio Expo Center. A scene that could be described as a “power equipment extravaganza.”
Given its staging at a time of year when buyers are ready to buy and manufacturers have their newest product introductions in place, the show garners the spotlight in the equipment industry.
From its humble beginning in 1971, Power Show Ohio has grown to nearly six times its original size. The first Power Show Ohio had 51 exhibitors and covered 54,000 square feet. The 2010 show will encompass 300,000 square feet with nearly 250 exhibitors.
Power Show Ohio is held at the Ohio Expo Center just off Interstate 71 at Exit 111 in Columbus, Ohio. Admission is $5 per person, with children ages 12 and under admitted free. For a full schedule events, hours and ticket information visit Power Show Ohio online at www.omeda.org/powershow.

Now, as the 40th annual show draws near, Power Show Ohio continues to represents the complete power equipment industry the way no other show does.

“Curves for corn and soybeans, which are two important domestic crops, are still in contango, which means as a farmer, you can still sell forward at pretty attractive relative-to-historical prices to lock in good prices for next year,” said Paul Mammola, an analyst with Sidoti & Company, LLC. “I think that although farmers have spent quite a bit over the past couple of years, the continued trend in strong commodity prices still leads to equipment purchases over the next couple of years.”
With 72 equipment stores across the Corn Belt, Titan Machinery, with a focus on high-horsepower tractors and carbines, will be a likely beneficiary of this trend toward increased farmer spending.

Mammola also points out that government stimulus dollars may play a role in accentuating industry growth in 2010, as more allocations are rolled out for road and public structure construction.

“It does sound like stimulus dollars are making their way to the companies as we speak. So water is certainly a very interesting industrial theme right now,” said Mammola, citing Crane Co. as one company that will receive bids for shovel-ready projects. “You have to break away from value investing to play with some of them given the multiples, but I think that’s going to be warranted over the next 12 months.”

Here are the facts: it WILL take all of a day for one man to do a thorough job cleaning a combine and prepping it for storage. The good news is that all the time and effort is not wasted. From my experience, a combine that is stored direct from the field will cost its owner an extra $200 to $500 before or during the next harvest. Much of that expense is related to corrosion/rust/water damage from rotting crop debris in or on the machine.

Some of that damage takes a long time to show up. I spent $1000 of a customer's money last week chasing gremlins through the electrical system on his combine. The pricey diagnostics eventually found a corroded electrical connector buried in three or four year's worth of rotting crop debris. Simply cleaning the combine before storage each year could have saved that guy $1000.

Cleaning combines is simple but boring and time-consuming. At a minimum, the same day harvest is finished, remove the sump covers for grain tank unloading augers and clean out rotten grain so precipitation won't accumulate in the grain tank. Open and clean the rock trap. Open the lower access doors on clean grain and tailing elevators. Use a high-pressure air hose to blow off loose, dry debris.

Some farmers avoid pressure washing their combine, due to concerns about forcing water into bearings, computer boxes and water-sensitive components. My attitude is that pressure washing does a great job of cleaning a combine with minimal risk--as long as the person running the spray wand has an I.Q. higher than a chimpanzee. Don't direct high-pressure water directly at bearings or computerized components and things will be fine.

If you're going to do maintenance and repairs on the machine within the next month, leave chains dry or spray them with WD-40, JB-80 or some other lightweight lubricant. If you won't touch the machine till next harvest, lube the chains with chain lube. The same applies to greaseable bearings and pivot/wear points.

Final step before walking away from the machine is to toss lots of mouse and rat poison into and on the machine. Clean machines are less prone to vermin damage than machines with lots of tasty crop debris on them, but even clean machines can suffer mouse and rat damage--the darned critters like to gnaw on the coatings of wires, which leads to short circuits and expensive repairs down the road.

As for problems with raccoons, 'possums and other large critters--if there's no straw or debris in a stored combine, those varmints are less apt to set up housekeeping and build a nest in a radiator shroud or deep within the separator. And if you think that having those critters nesting in a combine isn't a big problem---try cleaning up the results after you start the combine next summer and wrap a 20-pound 'coon around the clean grain auger or bust off all the engine fan blades on a 'possum that was snoozing in the radiator shroud.

Jeff Caldwell, Agriculture.com Multimedia Editor

It may seem like fall harvest might never end in some parts of the country.
But, even when you do pull that combine into the machine shed for the winter, that may not be the end of the to-do list before you batten down the hatches for winter. Those fall tillage chores you weren't able to get done on time are still waiting for you. But, even though it's late, you can still get the job done right by keeping a few things on top of mind, specialists say.

Agronomists Jodi DeJong-Hughes and Jeff Coulter of the University of Minnesota said in a report this week that there are 4 strategies to put into motion when you go to tackle that fall tillage in what will likely still be damp fields. Those are:
• Fill in ruts
• Keep tillage shallow
• Properly prepare equipment
• Plan ahead for spring

"Soil compaction and smearing is a distinct concern when pulling implements through or driving on wet soil. Residue management is another concern," according to DeJong-Hughes and Coulter. "We want the fields to dry out quickly next spring for quick planting."
When it comes to filling in ruts, don't follow what's typically your first instinct: To fill them in completely. Instead, remember the destructive tendency of tillage and take a lighter approach to those ruts, even if it takes an extra pass or 2 in the field.
"Soil structure is your soil's number one defense against future soil compaction, and tillage destroys structure. To maintain the structure your soil has, just fill in the ruts with light tillage by running equipment at an angle," the Minnesota agronomists say. "You may need 2-3 passes to accomplish this. These areas will not yield as well as the non-rutted area, but there is not much you can do to change this."

And, don't go too deep with your weather-delayed fall tillage. That can create clods and leave the soil in rough condition for when you return to the field for spring planting. Run shallow or switch to narrower points if you're using a chisel plow or disk ripper, DeJong-Hughes and Coulter advise.

"Clods in themselves are not bad going into winter. Next spring they will leave more surface area for water infiltration," they say. "However, fields with clods will likely need an extra tillage pass in the spring to create an adequate seedbed for good seed-to-soil contact."

Since cool and damp conditions foster additional compaction, keep your iron kept up and do what you can to limit compaction. That includes limiting axle loads to under 10 tons each and keeping tires filled with adequate pressure.
"Not only does this help the soil, but it will help your tractor run more efficiently and with less slippage. On wet soils, use the lightest tractor that can still get the job done," according to DeJong-Hughes and Coulter. "There isn't much you can do to reduce the weight of combines. If possible, unload before the grain hopper is full to limit axle loads. Control the wheel traffic from grain carts by running in the previous combine tracks and don't cross the field at a diagonal. Eighty percent of the compaction happens on the first pass; use it to your advantage."

Finally, the tough circumstances surrounding this fall's harvest may end up translating to management changes for the '10 crop. Take field conditions into consideration when making your 2010 planting decisions, both in terms of soil compaction and the amount of residue left in the field.

"Planting soybeans may be the best option in fields with heavy residue. They are very adaptive to higher residue levels, are not as soil temperature sensitive as corn, and grow well in no-till situations. If trying no-till beans, set the corn header of the combine as high as possible to reduce the amount of residue matted onto the soil surface," add DeJong-Hughes and Coulter. "Corn on corn has more residue to manage and needs additional nitrogen fertilizer than corn following soybean. Row cleaners are a must for corn following corn in order to obtain uniform seeding depth and facilitate warming of the soil over the seed. For corn following corn where high quantities of surface residue are present, consider a starter fertilizer."

Soil expert Dave Goorahoo of California State University, Fresno, left, reviews operating programs on a satellite-guided tractor with Chuck Dees, irrigation manager for Stamoules Produce Co. The Mendota-based vegetable farm is a leader in deploying innovative irrigation technology.

Farmers talk about "crop for drop" to gauge the efficiency of food production compared to the amount of water applied. And Chuck Dees, irrigation manager for Stamoules Produce Co. in Mendota, likes to talk about "smart water."

With 14,000 acres of vegetable crops—corn, melons, peppers and broccoli—using water wisely is more than just a good idea. These days, with a three-year drought and delivery restrictions cutting federal water supplies to a mere 10 percent of contract amounts on the San Joaquin Valley's west side, irrigation practices need to be ingenious.

Dees said the company has been researching and investing in emerging irrigation technology for more than a decade and he said, "Every time we get more efficient, it seems to come out at the end. When we make a gain in water conservation, it costs us less money for water. When we use water smarter, we get better yields. When we get better yields, we get a better bottom line."
Reports indicate that in the last six years, farmers in the San Joaquin Valley alone have invested more than $1.5 billion in high-efficiency irrigation systems.

"Strides in irrigation technology are encouraging, but improvements in efficiency are incremental and are a medium-to-long-term strategy," said Chris Scheuring, California Farm Bureau Federation Natural Resources and Environmenal Division managing counsel. "Efficient technology will clearly be one way of addressing water shortages. But farmers certainly aren't able to conserve their way out of the current crisis. And we know California must develop additional water supplies to avoid chronic shortages in years to come."

He added that California farms such as Stamoules Produce continue to support irrigation research and adopt technology, as well as hire highly trained specialists to manage irrigation practices.

Dees said water is a big expense and it's hard to gauge how much water or money farmers should expect for 2010 crops. As a result, it's hard to plan and gain the financing needed to keep farming. Stamoules will be cutting back on planted acreage, Dees said.
"Without water, there is no crop," he said.

The crops grown on the ranch require an investment of about $4,000 an acre to grow and harvest and, Dees said, the farm has made a considerable, ongoing investment in water-efficiency equipment.

For Stamoules Produce, irrigation efficiency includes using buried drip tubing, in some cases drip lines that have been in the ground for a decade or more, set 10 inches deep, just at the root zone for the crops grown on the farm. The drip lines are buried beneath 80-inch-wide beds with two drip lines set 28 inches apart in the center of the bed.

Planting and cultivation on the year-round operation are done with satellite-guided tractors that operate within the furrows and maintain equipment accuracy within a fraction of an inch of the drip lines, but still do not disturb them. Irrigation is triggered by a sophisticated sensor system that takes into account a variety of climatic conditions and crop needs.

Another innovation is the installation of seamless, thin-wall tubing with molded emitters. The seamless design helps prevent rupturing and a 10-mil thickness provides multi-year endurance.

Emitters are molded inside the tubing and Stamoules uses a standard emitter spacing of 18 inches. A large emitter flow path helps prevent plugging and has mini-filters that trap small particles.

"We haven't had a clogging problem," Dees said. "But we still use overhead sprinkling for germination. That's because the precise, computer-controlled system doesn't use enough water to leach salts, which can affect germination."

In the past, the farm used about 3.5 to 4 acre-feet of water per crop. Today the average is closer to 1.5 to 2 acre-feet.
Bell pepper yields, for example, have gotten a particularly big boost using the new technology. Dees said more precise water management meets plant needs at different growth stages and harvest crews can work even while fields are being irrigated.
"Our quality is good right to the end," he said. "Our honeydew melons have yields 25 to 30 percent more using buried drip lines. Sweet corn production increased 15 percent."

Dees said the farm has put 1,500 acres on an air-injection system.
"Not only does it keep the lines and emitters clear, but it also provides additional air to the root zone," he said. "That helps combat compaction."

Soil scientist Dave Goorahoo, who works with the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, has conducted field trials with Stamoules. Recently he has been working on salinity research and management projects because, as less water is used, salt buildup in the soil is a problem.

"We've been developing a variety of technologies for more efficient water use that take into consideration the variability in fields of soils, crop types, climate and water availability," Goorahoo said. "It's about getting water on the crops in the right amount when it's needed."

With water supply reliability uncertain on farms, he said, "we hope the technology will continue to be a growing part of the solution for agriculture and the state's water supply."

But, he emphasized, automatic systems don't remove the need to check fields in person.
"If you don't understand what's going on with your crops and your land, you can't really manage the technology for its maximum benefit," Goorahoo said.

"Technology is a tool and when used appropriately, such as here at Stamoules Produce, it can not only save water, it also can increase yields and improve profits. But, you've got to be smart about deploying the technology," he said.
More information on emerging irrigation technology is available from the Center for Irrigation Technology at cati.csufresno.edu/cit.
(Kate Campbell is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at kcampbell@cfbf.com.)