Ag-Visors

If commodity prices were anything to go by, 2016 was not the best year in agriculture’s recent history. Commodity production did go up (some saw record yields) and for some producers that balanced out the low prices. For others, the higher yield was not quite enough to cover production costs at the low prices received. Many analysts are pointing out the cyclical nature of agricultural production and think we are just in a low point of the cycle and farm income will begin increasing again in the next couple of years. Until that happens, though, what do we do in the here and now?

Diminishing returns in cattle production may have some hobby and small operation farmers rethinking their efforts in 2017. But just as in any business, what may seem like a disaster on one side of the business usually marks an opportunity on another side.

The U.S. Tax Court is a critically important institution. It is the most common forum in which taxpayers litigate federal tax disputes. The court frequently decides IRS assertions that the taxpayer understated the correct tax liability, resulting in a tax “deficiency.”

Diminishing returns in cattle production may have some hobby and small operation farmers rethinking their efforts in 2017. But just as in any business, what may seem like a disaster on one side of the business usually marks an opportunity on another side.

The U.S. Tax Court is a critically important institution. It is the most common forum in which taxpayers litigate federal tax disputes. The court frequently decides IRS assertions that the taxpayer understated the correct tax liability, resulting in a tax “deficiency.”

And we are headed for calving season. I have already had a couple start calving.

By the time you read this, you have already turned bulls out to breed your fall herd and your spring calves are either already sold or waiting early 2017 markets. But there are several things that livestock owners have to consider to maintain animal health during this time of year, and good nutrition should be one of the first things on that list.

It wasn’t all that long ago that agriculture was one of the bright spots in the overall U.S. economy. But, with the decline in crop and livestock markets, many producers are searching for ways to cut costs and market their commodities in such a way as to make a profit.

And here we are at in the New Year.

And here we are at the threshold of the New Year.