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Soybean seed drill. Courtesy: United Soybean Board

Late Soybean Planting: Management Considerations

While saturated soil conditions are prevalent in many areas of the state, extended weather outlooks suggest that producers may be able to return to the fields and resume soybean plantings in the near future. Should management practices change due to the late planting season?

Farmer sitting inside the cab of a green tractor parked inside a machine shed.

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Depreciation Determination and Use

Another component of determining net income is depreciation. This is one component of the Schedule F that many understand the least. Typically, the most use it gets is to minimize income tax through accelerated tax depreciation under section 179.

A male with three female farm administrators reviewing a binder of financial records. Courtesy: USDA

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Balance Sheet Valuations

The financial crash of the 1980’s has been attributed to changes in producer’s balance sheets, due to a decline in land prices. After this time, a two-column balance sheet was developed to help prevent that type of balance sheet collapse from occurring in the future.

A pen and calculator sitting next to an accounting binder.

Bookwork, The Missing Management Component: Consistency of Financial Records

Consistent record keeping will allow for accurate ratios and trend analysis. While operations will change, grow, or contract, having a standard operating procedure will allow for analysis and decision-making.

A wet, unplanted field with water pooling and running off into a ditch.

Is Herbicide Carryover a Concern in Wet Weather?

Wet conditions have forced the need to change planting plans. In some cases, crops are planted in areas that were not planned for that crop this year. One factor in moving crops that cannot be overlooked is carryover. Does the ground to be planted have a carryover restriction for the desired crop to be planted?

Pair of hands at a desk during a health consultation.

Income-Based Health Insurance Options

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive health care reform law enacted in 2010 to make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies, otherwise known as premium tax credits, which lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.

Doctor at laptop with insurance paperwork.

Health Insurance Benefits: Don’t Let Them Go to Waste

As the end of the calendar year approaches, does your health insurance calendar year also end? Health insurance often provides free preventive care checkups or funds for flexible savings accounts (FSA) or health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Color-coded map of South Dakota and other Midwestern states. Colors indicate a higher risk of unplanted areas in Eastern and Northeastern South Dakota.

Stretching Corn Silage Supplies

During the 2002 drought there was a need to stretch corn silage supplies as a result of the drought that affected the U.S. Now we deal with the opposite scenario, where excessive spring rains have not allowed farmers to get to the fields. In both situations livestock producers face challenges.

Three sets of rumen papillae photos. The first is labeled C and has several clusters of large, round, papillae. The second is DG1 and has several clusters of small to medium, round, papillae. The last is DG2 and has several clusters of small to medium, round, papillae.

Distillers’ Grains and Rumen Papillae Growth

Distillers grains are without a doubt one of the most versatile ruminant feedstuffs. Aside from their high concentration of sought-after nutrients (i.e. protein, energy, phosphorus), their impact on the digestibility of other feeds is minimal. In fact, by not interfering with the digestion particularly of structural carbohydrates, they allow for more energy to be obtained from forages.

Woman navigating Health Insurance Marketplace on laptop.

What You Need To Know To Enroll in Health Insurance Through the Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace allows consumers to complete a streamlined application to determine qualification for coverage under different health care plans. Learn some tips for getting started during the open enrollment period of November 1 through January 15.