KAFC approves $814,565 in agriculture aid loans

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. (KAFC) approved $814,565 in agricultural loans for projects across the Commonwealth during its board meeting on Nov. 6.

KAFC participates with lenders to provide financing to producers making capital expenditures for agricultural projects through the Agricultural Infrastructure Loan Program. Eligible projects include permanent farm structures with attached equipment that improves the profitability of farming operations. Agricultural Infrastructure loans totaled $600,000 and included recipients from Daviess, Marion, Logan, Pendleton and Webster counties.

The Beginning Farmer Loan Program is designed to assist individuals with some farming experience who desire to develop, expand or buy into a farming operation. Beginning farmers may qualify for financing to purchase livestock, equipment, agriculture facilities, to secure permanent working capital and to make a down payment on real estate or invest in a partnership or LLC. Beginning Farmer loans totaled $214,565 and included recipients from Clark, Green and Henderson counties.

For more information on the programs offered by the KAFC, contact Bill McCloskey, director of Financial Services, at 502-564-4627 or visit the KAFC website at http://kafc.ky.gov

Tri State Seed named Seed Consultants distributor

MARISSA, Ill. — Tri State Seed Co. has been named distributor for Seed Consultants, Inc. (SCI) seed in the Midwest and mid-South. Based in Marissa, Tri State has locations in Bowling Green, Mo., Central City, Ky., and Greenville, Miss.

SCI already has six research locations in southern Illinois (Sandoval, Charleston, Grayville, Mason City, Galesburg and Askum) and research plots in southern Indiana. In addition, SCI’s main genetic supplier has a breeding station in southern Illinois and selects varieties for the southern environment.

Tri State owner Alan Schmidt started the crop protection materials company in 1998 and branched into seed. SCI evaluates genetics at more than 105 testing sites.

Foundation website focuses on seed industry education

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The First the Seed Foundation announced the launch of its website promoting education and outreach on the importance and value of seeds. The new site at www.firsttheseed foundation.org will be a tool to advance projects now under way as a result of founding donors who helped establish the foundation’s initial funding.

The Foundation’s first projects include Web-based and multi-media educational curricula on the importance of seeds for grade schools, development of an introductory video on the seed industry’s role in American agriculture, the distribution of seed and informational kits to schools and youth organizations and promoting the impacts of quality seeds on every person’s life who eats food or uses agricultural products.

Bobcat M-Series has new numbering system

FARGO, N.D. — Bobcat Co. is instituting a new numbering system for loaders and excavators, and as Bobcat releases the full M-Series line, new machines will adopt the new numbering system.
The new loader model numbers retain the letter designation, with the letter indicating the type of loader. The “S” is for skid steer and the “T” is for compact track. After the letter, the first number designates the loader’s frame size. The remaining numbers are an indicator of performance based on the loader’s weight, dimensions, horsepower and rated operating capacity.

For excavators, the model number begins with “E.” The numbers now correspond to the excavator’s weight in metric tons in a whole number and a tenth. For example, the “32” in E32 is for 3.2 metric tons.

ODNR Division of Wildlife named Agency of the Year
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife was recently honored with the Quality Deer Management Assoc. (QDMA) Agency of the Year Award.

Each year, QDMA recognizes a state DNR for its dedication to the quality deer management philosophy and the positive results it has yielded. The ODNR Division of Wildlife has realized extraordinary results from new programs it has established, as well as through continued efforts to maintain excellence in seasoned programs.
 Some examples of whitetail deer management improvements enacted last fall include making a reduced-cost permit available during archery season that resulted in the harvest of more antlerless deer earlier in the season, as well as the harvest of fewer bucks than in previous years.

Other programs that positively affect Ohio’s deer herd include numerous controlled deer hunts, including hunts designated for people with mobility disabilities, youth and women.