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As of 2024, natural gas commodity prices have exhibited a dynamic and fluctuating trend influenced by various factors. One significant driver of prices has been the global demand-supply dynamics. Increased demand for natural gas, particularly in emerging economies, has contributed to upward pressure on prices.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 85 tracts or 7,064.51 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during February 2024. The average dollar per acre was $13,389, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,935, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $185.

Paul Anderson, AFM, Peoples Company, Indianola, IA, has been awarded the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).

The supply and demand market of agriculture that creates cashflow instability cannot be avoided, but having strong oversight on all expenses can help mitigate risk. Accounting for all expenses is critical to keeping a business running efficiently, from estimating upcoming fiscal needs to knowing what level grain and livestock sales need to be to produce a profit.

For producers wanting to make elections and enroll in the ARC or PLC program, the sign-up period is open through March 15, 2024. It is encouraged to work with the local USDA county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to complete this process.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 40 tracts or 3,868.91 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during January 2024. The average dollar per acre was $12,060, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,071, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $183.

Thiago Lima, AFM, Peoples Company, Jacksonville, FL, has been awarded the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).

Community solar is a transformative and inclusive approach to harnessing the power of solar energy for the benefit of local communities. This innovative concept allows individuals who may not have the means or ability to install solar panels on their own properties to access clean and renewable energy.

With the Sales Closing Deadline approaching, I have been asked several questions regarding the different crop insurance plans and how they work. More specifically, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) endorsement. Both endorsements provide coverage for a portion of the deductible of an insured underlying crop insurance policy.

I have worked with a variety of non-profit organizations, education institutions, and federal partners over the past 10 years in the farmland conservation space. Our vocabulary has changed over time, but the intent has remained constant: we work to leave the land better than how we found it.

Please join Peoples Company for our “Big Questions in Land Management” webinar series on Wednesday, February 28, from 3:00 - 4:30 PM Central Time. Founder and CEO, John Roach with Roach Ag will discuss “Use Fundamentals Plus an Algorithm for Crop Marketing.” Other topics include “Land Management Services” with George Baird, Owner of Landmark Ag, “Using Drones for Application” with Danny Assman, Partner of Terraplex, and “Renewable (Wind, Solar, Batteries) Discussion” with Brad Haight, Owner of Farm First Energy. Please mark your calendars for this free webinar to hear from these industry experts.

Peoples Company tracks agricultural auctions across the state of Iowa. From this data, we calculate the average dollar per CSR2 point ($/CSR2) for sales of tracts with greater than 85% tillable land. Additionally, these tracts are largely unimproved or include minimal improvement contribution.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 94 tracts or 9,929.61 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during December 2023. The average dollar per acre was $12,104, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,085, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $180.

What are good farming practices and why are they important? The Federal crop insurance program covers losses that are unavoidable and due to naturally occurring events. The program does not cover losses due to negligence, or any failure to follow good farming practices.

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) will officially go into effect, which requires additional reporting obligations on U.S. entities and foreign entities doing business in the United States to provide beneficial ownership information to the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). Congress established that the general intent of the CTA is to prevent illicit activities, including money laundering, financing terrorism, tax fraud, and other harmful activities related to national security interests, from occurring through the use of entity schemes. The CTA applies to any corporation, limited liability company, or other similar entity (limited partnership; limited liability partnership; limited liability limited partnership) that files an application (e.g., Certificate of Organization/Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State) under the laws of a State or Indian tribe, subject to certain exemptions. As a result, the CTA will impose the reporting burden on many farmers, landowners, and other industry professionals.

After reading yet another negative headline on the $20 trillion commercial real estate (CRE) market, I was reminded of the investment characteristic I once assumed the CRE market shared with the $4 trillion farmland market.