Selective information that might be useful to farmers and their advisors:
• The Virginia’s Use Value Assessment Program (http://usevalue.agecon.vt.edu/) web site has been updated for Tax Year 2015 (TY) see the following items: Continue reading
Gustavo Ferreira, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Chris Lucha, Graduate Student, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Martha Walker, Extension Specialist, Community Viability, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Gordon Groover, Extension Economist, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Agritourism is a value added activity that generates additional net farm income and creates a loyal consume base for branded farm products (Hawkes, 2013). Agritourism also allows for diversification from production agriculture, making it a low-risk mechanism for farmers to cope with the rising cost of agricultural inputs and technology (Tew and Barbieri, 2010). Agritourism is also a good strategy to cope with bad crop years, disasters, and drought (Hawke, 2013). Other economic and non-economic benefits from agritourism include the preservation of agricultural heritage, maximization of productivity and resources, and improvements in the economic situation of a community (Tew and Barbieri, 2012). Continue reading
Gordon Groover and Gustavo Ferreira, editors.
The lead article in October 1992 Farm Management Update started out as follows, “In your hands is the first copy of the Farm Management Update.” Over the last 22 years we have transitioned from a hardcopy publication to an internet blog. The name has also changed from Farm Management Update to the Farm Business Management Update and now the name going forward will be AAEC Extension Update. Our commitment to provide timely and quality information has not changed, and our publication will continue to address a broad range of issues and problems affecting Virginia’s agricultural and rural communities. Thanks!
Joao Ferreira, Consultant, Mid-Atlantic Wine and Agribusiness Marketing Solutions.
Gustavo Ferreira, Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Introduction
The main purpose of this article is to explain the importance of the keywords as part of a web marketing strategy. More specifically, the findings of this article show how wineries or any other agribusiness can use a series of web-based free tools to increase visits and overall traffic in their webpages. Continue reading
Peter Callan, Extension Agent, Farm Business Management, Northern District
Farm insurance plays important but often overlooked role in the operation of a farm business. In many cases, coverage levels are not reviewed and updated until a claim is filed. Farmers need to carry sufficient insurance coverage in order insure the continuation of the business in the event of a loss. Two commons types of farm insurance are property and liability insurance. Continue reading
Gordon Groover, Extension Economist, Farm Management, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
The 2012 Agricultural Census contains a wealth of information for all sectors of U.S. and Virginia agriculture. One of Virginia’s most widely dispersed commodities in Virginia is the cattle herd, found from the Alleghany Mountains to the Tidewater. Continue reading
Jim Pease, Extension Economist, Farm Management, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
The 2012 Census of Agriculture shows a strong economic sector with a big “footprint” on Virginia farmland. In terms of harvested acres, the Census indicates that the 4 principal grains and oilseeds harvested are soybeans (578,852 acres), corn grain (338,132 acres), wheat (241,979 acres), and barley (37,023 acres). Harvested acres increased over 2007 for soybeans (+18%), wheat (+21%), and barley (+33%), but fell for corn (-14%), reflecting lower corn price expectations.
Continue reading
Gordon Groover, Extension Economist, Farm Management, Department of
Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
Listed below are the items that should be considered for inclusion on the farm business managers’ calendar for spring and summer of 2014:
Gordon Groover, Extension Economist, Farm Management, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
A Geographic Analysis of Agritourism in Virginia (VCE Publication AAEC-62P) authored by Chris Lucha, Graduate Student,; Gustavo Ferreira, Assistant Professor, Martha Walker, Extension Specialist; Gordon Groover, Extension Economist all members of The Agricultural and Applied Economics Department of Virginia Tech Continue reading
The following are presentations that were presented at the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade on March 6-7, 2014 in Richmond, VA.
Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
Panama Canal
Panama Canal Video
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council Continue reading