Watch for Hidden Danger recommends Greenhouse Insider (October 2004). The article discusses the Cornell Farmedic Training Program that trains rural rescue workers in farm rescue. “On the farm, the machinery is the most dangerous . . . In fact, . . . machinery is involved in 60 to 65% of farm fatalities. Most of the time it is a tractor that is to blame because that piece of equipment is used in so many operations, and it is used in many different condition. In addition, . . . tractors are operated by people having different levels of experience.” The article recommends rollover protection structures (ROPS) and shields that go over the PTO shaft. More information on the Farmedic program is available at www.farmedic.com.

Holstein Association Hires Mid-Atlantic Rep (Farming Magazine, Oct. ’04). “John Stinavage has joined Holstein Association, USA, Inc. as a regional representative in the Mid-Atlantic states, including Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and south and central Pennsylvania. He was previously an animal nutritionist/salesman for Agway Feed and Nutrition. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in animal science from Pennsylvania State University.”

Everyone say ‘Cheese!’ A look at the Agri-Mark Cooperative is a feature article in Farming Magazine (Oct. ’04). “Agri-Mark, with its headquarters n Methuen, Mass., is one of the top 20 dairy cooperatives in the United States and is a $600 million business. The cooperative markets more than 300 million gallons of farm-fresh milk each year for more than 1,300 farm families. Agri-Mark serves members whose farms are located in all six New England states and New York State. The cooperative has more than 900 employees in New England and New York, including 60 at its headquarters. . . . Agri-Mark had a record-setting $11.4 million profit in fiscal 2003, amounting to a patronage return to farmer-members of $.44 per hundred-weight.”

Avoid these blunders in estate planning recommends Dairy Herd Management (Oct. ’04). Darrell Dunteman, an agricultural financial consultant, writes, “Here are two of the biggest estate planning mistakes I see as I consult with families throughout the U.S. “#1. Leaving business assets to individuals who are not in the business . . . . #2. Giving one person control of the business without accountability.” The article describes court battles that ensued among heirs due to these mistakes. The author concludes by recommending, “Take some time to review your estate plan. . . . If you really want your family to stay together, put together a fair plan and have that plan reviewed by competent advisers.” This article is available in full after by at Dairy Herd Management online.

Selling the farm should be less taxing says Hoard’s Dairyman (Oct. 10, ’04). “Whether or not to sell the farm is a complex financial and emotional decision, but understanding property exchange tax benefits under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 can help farmers reap more benefits than costs if they decide to exchange one property for another. . . . For instance, if you sell property, you need to identify one or more replacement properties within 45 days of the sale, and you need to close on at least one of them within 180 days of the sale to defer capital gains taxes.” The article stresses that to receive a tax benefit you must use “a truly qualified intermediary. . . . To do a 1031 exchange you must put all the money from your property sale into their ‘qualified trust’ account until you are ready to close on another property. Your money is in the name of the qualified intermediary during that time. Be certain to find out if he or she has a large fidelity bond and security arrangements for your money.”

More Investor Dairies on the Horizon notes Dairy Herd Management (Oct. ’04). “Given the success of many investor-owned dairies, more outside money is likely to flow into the dairy industry. . . . Investor dairies run with solid business principles can and do deliver solid financial returns. That’s why the trend toward investor dairies will continue, and perhaps even accelerate. Some producers vow they will never take on outside investors because it could mean a loss of independence. Others, however, see outside investment as a way to reduce their risk, while growing the dairy and gaining synergy from other people . . . .” This article is available in full by registering at Dairy Herd Management online.

4 habits of highly effective milkers is a sidebar in the Oct. ’04 edition of Dairy Herd Management. “Milk quality specialists at the University of Wisconsin say there are four things that farms with low somatic cell counts do better than those with higher counts: * Forestrip cows; * Clip or singe udders;. * Wear gloves during milking; and * Keep good mastitis records. Dairy producers who follow these “big four” practices tend to produce higher-quality milk than those who don’t . . . When you do these four things right, odds are you’ll also begin to do some of the other things—like milker training, written routines and single-use teat towels—that help reduce somatic cell count and clinical mastitis . ..” This article is available in full by registering at Dairy Herd Management online.

Invest in Manure Safety recommends Dairy Herd Management (Oct. ’04). “When working around manure, producers need to consider a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as the philosophical equivalent of their American Express card; that is, ‘don’t work around manure without it.’ Many people mistakenly believe that gases only occur around manure pits. Manure gases can occur in any place that mimics a confined space . . . in the transfer pit, a settling area or basin, above-ground storage, in long-term storage if the structure is partially above ground, and even during agitation.” The author gives a 7-step checklist for working around manure storage. One important step is “Insist on a buddy (with a cell phone to call for help, if needed). Any time you need to work on any part of the manure-handling system, make it the rule that no one works alone . . . And if you are working in one of the danger areas . . . you also must use safety equipment.” This article is available in full by registering at Dairy Herd Management online.

Cooperatives Working Together Gears Up For Second Round of Fall Activity reports Pipeline (MD & VA Milk Producers Cooperative Assn, Sept. ’04). “Although prices will drop some the remainder of this year, 2004 is likely to go down in the record books as having the highest-ever farm milk prices. . . . There are a variety of well-known factors behind 2004’s price rebound, including the shortage of dairy replacement animals, cuts in production of Posilac, higher feed costs, and stronger dairy demand. But one of the key reasons why supplies tightened in 2004, and prices shot higher, was Cooperatives Working Together (CWT). . . . CWT was created by the members of the National Milk Producers Federation . . . to help better align supply and demand, and provided higher, more stable farm milk prices. Funding for CWT comes from the nickel per hundred-weight contributed by . . . most of the . . . dairy coops across the country. CWT also receives significant support from independent farmers not affiliated with a coop.” Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation says, “We plan to spend 80% of CWT’s second-year budget on the herd retirement, with the balance aimed at exports. The combination of both programs will not ensure $18 milk, but it should help insure against $10 milk.”

Retirement: Finding the Right Path (Floral Management, Sept. ’04) discusses succession planning for family businesses. “More than 40 percent of family-business CEOs who expect to retire or semi-retire within five years haven’t chosen a successor . . . The number of family businesses that make the big leap from generation to generation is equally dismal . . .Business owners’ failure to properly plan for the succession of management, transfer of ownership to family members and retirement needs leads to this high failure rate.” The article describes “common estate planning tools that attorneys, consultants and financial planning professionals rely on . . . and anyone looking to eventually achieve successful estate and succession planning should be familiar with.” The author details buy-sell agreements; family limited partnerships; employee stock option plans; succession planning; and sale of the business. “Many obstacles block the successful transfer of ownership and management to succeeding generations. But with careful planning, you can increase the likelihood of a smooth succession while also providing for your retirement.”

Farm Subsidy Rules Called Too Vague. Hoard’s Dairyman (Oct. 10, ’04) quotes a Washington Post article that reported “Farm subsidy payments from the Department of Agriculture aren’t going to the right people, according to the Federal Government’s General Accounting Office (GAO). . . . The GAO sharply criticized the USDA saying that the department’s rules to qualify for payments are too loosely written. Additionally, the GAO said that the USDA’s antifraud measures are not tough enough.” Read the complete Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19029-2004Jun30.html.

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