loans

It came as no surprise when the Federal Reserve recently moved interest rates higher, a one-quarter-percent hike in short-term interest rates.  The Fed said the increase is to keep the overall U.S. economy strong.  But for the farm economy, rate hikes in the past have tended to have the opposite affect.   ...

"The Secretary has given a clear vision for us to improve the experience of our customers across the programs at USDA," according to Anne Hazlett.  The Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development adds that includes the Rural Development mission area.  ...

Farmers and ranchers looking for real estate loans may directly, or indirectly work with Farmer Mac.   "We're a secondary market with respect to community bankers, we largely buy loans from them, they originate loans either into our farm and ranch program, or our USDA guaranteed loan program," said Tim Buzby, Farmer Mac President and CEO.  ...

For growers looking to expand their operation, the FSA is offering Farm Storage Facility Loans.  Tanya Dostal with Washington’s FSA said the loans are available for individual and have a $500,000 limit.   “It has to be used for the producer’s storage of their own commodity.  So, the producer needs to...

A decade ago, only 25% of the Agriculture department's direct loan money went to farmers.  Now it's around 60%.  Jim Radintz oversees the USDA's farm service agency loan portfolio, and of course part of that increase was directed by congress, to put more direct loan resources to those that are just starting out in farming.   "We p...

The Washington FSA is reminding the ag community of operating and farm ownership loans to underserved and beginning farmers.  For decades now, the FSA has set aside funds, earmarked for these two specific groups.  The Washington FSA’s Houston Bruck told the Washington Ag Network not only do these loans help new farmers break in to the industry, but the loans also help ensure one of the core purpos

Many in the borrowing and lending business say the ag community needs more help from the federal government.  That was the take away from the 2017 Ag Bankers Conference recently in Milwaukee, WI.  Industry experts said they would like to see changes to the FSA Guaranteed Direct Loan Program.  Specifi...

In 2016, the pace of new lending to Young, Beginning and Small Farmers, or YBS loans, remained relatively flat.  According to a new Farm Credit Administration report, the pace of Y-B-S loans slightly exceeded the pace of overall farm lending by Farm Credit System institutions.   ...

The USDA is offering specially targeted farm ownership and operating loans to underserved as well as beginning farmers and rancher.  Libby Anderson with FSA in Ephrata told the Washington Ag Network these loan are designed for anyone interested in an independent agriculture career.  ...

Beginning producers fact many challenges just trying to get into the business, and private-public partnerships with lending institutions and the Farm Service Agency can help.   Carl Horn with Farm Credit Services said they can often help with capital expansion through the FSA.  ...