Does your business generate enough income to make scheduled debt and lease payments? If necessary, could that income also cover payments on additional debt? In today’s post, we’ll look at a set of financial measures that can help you answer these important questions. [Read more…] about Using Financial Ratios to Manage Debt, part 2
Use Financial Ratios to Manage Debt
Can you borrow to finance new purchases when you need to? Or will borrowing more put your business at risk of bankruptcy? Your ability to answer these questions accurately is an important part of managing your business for long-term success. In today’s blog we’ll look at some information taken from a farm’s business records that can help you make financially responsible borrowing decisions.
Considering the Impact of Loan Structure on Loan Cost
An important part of managing a farm business is managing debt. Producers who utilize debt effectively can increase the profitability of their operation. However, borrowing comes at a cost. Today, we’ll discuss the different types of loans available to producers and their structures. We’ll also look at how different loan structures impact the cost of borrowing.
[Read more…] about Considering the Impact of Loan Structure on Loan Cost
Understanding the Relationship Between Cotton Classing and Cotton Prices
How does cotton quality impact the price someone pays for it? In this post, we discuss how cotton is classed and how the classification of upland cotton might inform cotton prices. [Read more…] about Understanding the Relationship Between Cotton Classing and Cotton Prices
To Harvest or Not to Harvest? Cotton Harvest Decisions
It’s almost time for producers to begin harvesting cotton in this part of the state. Today, we look at the decision to harvest low-yielding fields and discuss the costs and benefits of doing so. We also present a tool to help producers evaluate the profitability of harvesting cotton from low-yielding fields. [Read more…] about To Harvest or Not to Harvest? Cotton Harvest Decisions
Cotton Production and Market Update
Last month, USDA released two important reports: the monthly Crop Production report, and the latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report. In this post, we discuss what these reports say about cotton production in 2024.
Corn and Sorghum Market Update
On August 12, USDA released three important reports: the weekly Crop Progress report, the monthly Crop Production report, and the latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report. In this post, we discuss what these reports say about corn and sorghum production in 2024. [Read more…] about Corn and Sorghum Market Update
June Report Indicates More Acres Planted to Cotton
On June 28, USDA released its Acreage Report for 2024. In this post, we look at how planted acres in 2024 for corn, sorghum, wheat and cotton compares to 2023 and to the March Prospective Plantings survey. We also examine how the Acreage report impacts production estimates in the July WASDE.
[Read more…] about June Report Indicates More Acres Planted to Cotton
High Plains Ag Week 6/5/2024 – Potential Impacts of La Niña’s Return
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a shift from El Niño into neutral and eventually La Niña conditions this summer/fall. This week, we look at what this might mean for summer 2024 weather conditions on the Texas High Plains. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 6/5/2024 – Potential Impacts of La Niña’s Return
High Plains Ag Week 5/15/2024 – Reviewing the May WASDE Report
On May 10, USDA released a new World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report. In this week’s post, we’ll look at what the report has to say about cotton and grain crop production in the 2024/25 crop year. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 5/15/2024 – Reviewing the May WASDE Report