BEEF 509 program returns
By
John Grimes-
It is hard to believe that this was the last newspaper article that I wrote for the decade. Much has happened to all of us over the past 10 years and it has passed by much too quickly. For those of you who can remember, it was 10 years ago right about now that many of us were worried about the dreaded Y2K virus and what was going to happen to all of our computer systems when the calendars rolled over to the year 2000. That seems like a minor concern with everything going on today, doesn’t it?
By the time you read this article, Christmas day will have passed. Hopefully, you were able to spend quality time with the folks that are the closest to you and remembered to celebrate the reason for the season.
Don’t forget to start that list of New Year’s resolutions that you probably won’t be able to keep!
BEEF 509 program returns
The dates have been set for the 2010 BEEF 509 program. The program is held to raise the awareness level about the beef that is produced and the reasons why it sometimes misses its mark with consumers’ palates and producers’ pocketbooks.
The program will take place on Feb. 16, 19 and 20. The part of the program will be held during the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 16 with the live animal evaluation session and grid pricing discussion.
Carcass grading and fabrication are among the activities that will take place Feb. 19-20.
The program will take place at the Ohio State University Animal Sciences building in Columbus. All the same information and activities from past 509 programs will be included.
It will be critical to attend all days as participants will be assigned to teams that will work together throughout the program. A maximum of 32 spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis. If interest in BEEF 509 exceeds the 32 spaces provided, names will be held and applicants notified of upcoming sessions. The registration fee is $150.
The program is the result of a partnership with the Ohio Beef Council, the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences.
For more information, call (614) 873-6736. Deadline for registration is Jan. 15.
How much
hay to feed?
With Old Man Winter greeting us rather rudely, cows are going to require plenty of available feed to maintain body condition throughout the next few months. In some situations, the standing forage in the pasture or in the form of crop residue will provide much of the energy requirements of the cows. However, snow cover in many areas, as well as low quantities of grass or stalks may require that harvested and stored hay is made available to the cows. How much hay will the cow eat voluntarily? How much hay do I need to plan to feed this winter? How much hay do I need to put out for the next few days?
These questions are all part of the decisions that ranchers must make each winter.
Intake in forage fed to cattle is generally limited by the forage capacity of the digestive tract. Forage intake is correlated with forage quality. The more rapid rate of digestion and passage of higher quality forage results in considerably higher dry matter intake compared to lower quality forage that is lower in digestibility.
Lactation represents the greatest need for additional energy beyond that needed for maintenance. An average milking beef cow requires 50 percent more TDN or energy than she does when dry. It should be noted that lactating cows consume more forage compared to gestating cows due to the increased energy demand. Large cows will require more energy than small cows. Therefore, the hay or forage requirements are calculated based on a percentage of the body weight of the cow. Be honest with yourself as you estimate cow size and, therefore, hay amounts that are needed.
Map out tax strategies now
With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it’s time to sit down and do some serious tax planning, says Ron Haugen, farm economist with North Dakota State University.
As one component of the planning, Haugen recommends trying to spread out income and expenses so you don’t have abnormally high or low income or expenses in any one year. One caveat: Deferring too much income may push you into a higher tax bracket in a future year.
Haugen suggests considering the following steps before the end of the year to limit tax liability: Prepay farm expenses, such as feed, fertilizer, seed and similar expenses. Typically, discounts are received by paying for these expenses in the fall. You can deduct prepaid expenses that do not exceed 50 percent of your other deductible farm expenses.
Pay taxes or interest. Doing so will increase 2009 expenses. Defer income to 2010. Crop and livestock sales can be deferred until the next year by using a deferred payment contract.
Most grain elevators or sales barns will defer sales until the next tax year. “Producers should be aware that they are at risk if the business becomes insolvent before the check is received and cashed,” says Haugen.
Purchase machinery or equipment. Machinery or equipment purchases can be made before the end of the year to get a depreciation or 179 expense deduction in 2009.
Information on agricultural topics can be found in the IRS‚ Farmer’s Tax Guide, <http://ct.pbinews.com/rd/cts?d=94-10556-12-12-28421-2130965-0-0-0-1-1-3…; Publication 225.
If you have questions on any of these topics, Haugen advises contacting your tax professional or calling the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
The Farmer’s Tax Guide is available free of charge at the Extension office so stop by for your copy.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County. Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292.[[In-content Ad]]
By the time you read this article, Christmas day will have passed. Hopefully, you were able to spend quality time with the folks that are the closest to you and remembered to celebrate the reason for the season.
Don’t forget to start that list of New Year’s resolutions that you probably won’t be able to keep!
BEEF 509 program returns
The dates have been set for the 2010 BEEF 509 program. The program is held to raise the awareness level about the beef that is produced and the reasons why it sometimes misses its mark with consumers’ palates and producers’ pocketbooks.
The program will take place on Feb. 16, 19 and 20. The part of the program will be held during the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 16 with the live animal evaluation session and grid pricing discussion.
Carcass grading and fabrication are among the activities that will take place Feb. 19-20.
The program will take place at the Ohio State University Animal Sciences building in Columbus. All the same information and activities from past 509 programs will be included.
It will be critical to attend all days as participants will be assigned to teams that will work together throughout the program. A maximum of 32 spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis. If interest in BEEF 509 exceeds the 32 spaces provided, names will be held and applicants notified of upcoming sessions. The registration fee is $150.
The program is the result of a partnership with the Ohio Beef Council, the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences.
For more information, call (614) 873-6736. Deadline for registration is Jan. 15.
How much
hay to feed?
With Old Man Winter greeting us rather rudely, cows are going to require plenty of available feed to maintain body condition throughout the next few months. In some situations, the standing forage in the pasture or in the form of crop residue will provide much of the energy requirements of the cows. However, snow cover in many areas, as well as low quantities of grass or stalks may require that harvested and stored hay is made available to the cows. How much hay will the cow eat voluntarily? How much hay do I need to plan to feed this winter? How much hay do I need to put out for the next few days?
These questions are all part of the decisions that ranchers must make each winter.
Intake in forage fed to cattle is generally limited by the forage capacity of the digestive tract. Forage intake is correlated with forage quality. The more rapid rate of digestion and passage of higher quality forage results in considerably higher dry matter intake compared to lower quality forage that is lower in digestibility.
Lactation represents the greatest need for additional energy beyond that needed for maintenance. An average milking beef cow requires 50 percent more TDN or energy than she does when dry. It should be noted that lactating cows consume more forage compared to gestating cows due to the increased energy demand. Large cows will require more energy than small cows. Therefore, the hay or forage requirements are calculated based on a percentage of the body weight of the cow. Be honest with yourself as you estimate cow size and, therefore, hay amounts that are needed.
Map out tax strategies now
With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it’s time to sit down and do some serious tax planning, says Ron Haugen, farm economist with North Dakota State University.
As one component of the planning, Haugen recommends trying to spread out income and expenses so you don’t have abnormally high or low income or expenses in any one year. One caveat: Deferring too much income may push you into a higher tax bracket in a future year.
Haugen suggests considering the following steps before the end of the year to limit tax liability: Prepay farm expenses, such as feed, fertilizer, seed and similar expenses. Typically, discounts are received by paying for these expenses in the fall. You can deduct prepaid expenses that do not exceed 50 percent of your other deductible farm expenses.
Pay taxes or interest. Doing so will increase 2009 expenses. Defer income to 2010. Crop and livestock sales can be deferred until the next year by using a deferred payment contract.
Most grain elevators or sales barns will defer sales until the next tax year. “Producers should be aware that they are at risk if the business becomes insolvent before the check is received and cashed,” says Haugen.
Purchase machinery or equipment. Machinery or equipment purchases can be made before the end of the year to get a depreciation or 179 expense deduction in 2009.
Information on agricultural topics can be found in the IRS‚ Farmer’s Tax Guide, <http://ct.pbinews.com/rd/cts?d=94-10556-12-12-28421-2130965-0-0-0-1-1-3…; Publication 225.
If you have questions on any of these topics, Haugen advises contacting your tax professional or calling the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
The Farmer’s Tax Guide is available free of charge at the Extension office so stop by for your copy.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County. Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292.[[In-content Ad]]