This winter USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) released cash rental rates for irrigated and non-irrigated cropland and pastureland for Virginia counties and cities.

Downloadable form to request a Farm Record Book.

Downloadable form to request a Farm Record Book.

The price of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) guidance system technology continues to decline as its capabilities increase. Many farmers question if or when they should invest in this technology. The major advantage of using GPS is input savings from more precise field application of seed, fertilizers, chemicals, fuel, and labor, as well as increased benefits to the farm production process (extended working time, reduced fatigue, etc.).

Full Publication in PDF:

Full Publication available in Sidebar

Sections in PDF:

Front Cover (PDF | 689KB)

Acknowledgments PDF

Table of Contents PDF

Introduction PDF

Section 1 - Estimating the Use Value of Agricultural Land PDF

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2004 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release final data from the 2002 Census of Agriculture for every county and state in the Nation.

Controlled grazing can be an economical way to provide forage to grazing animals. Utilizing pasture as a major portion of the forage plan can significantly reduce feed costs during the grazing season. Virginia's soils and climate are especially favorable for the growth of a wide range of productive, high-quality grasses and legumes suitable for grazing. However, optimizing a controlled grazing system requires careful planning and good management of a fencing system.

For a review of the principles of GPS to locate specific field points, refer to this GPS Tutorial (Trimble Navigation Limited, 2008). GPS and associated navigation systems are used in many types of agricultural operations. These systems are useful particularly in applying pesticides, lime, and fertilizers and in tracking wide planters/drills or large grain-harvesting platforms. GPS navigation tools can replace foam for sprayers and planter/drill-disk markers for making parallel swaths across a field. Navigation systems help operators reduce skips and overlaps, especially when using methods that rely on visual estimation of swath distance and/or counting rows. This technology reduces the chance of misapplication of agrochemicals and has the potential to safeguard water quality. Also, GPS navigation can be used to keep implements in the same traffic pattern year-to-year (controlled traffic), thus minimizing adverse effects of implement traffic.

One issue in the debate on dairy production is seasonal versus year-round milk production. The frame of reference in this debate is seasonal price trends. Farmers historically receive the lowest milk price for milk sold during the six months following spring pasture flush. Conversely, the season's highest price is received during the period of October to January. The driving force behind the current interest in grass-based dairy production is lowering total costs per hundredweight of milk sold by using pasture as the primary source of forage. 

During September of each year, annual use-value estimates for the upcoming tax-year are voted on for acceptance by the State Land Evaluation Advisory Council (SLEAC)¹ the governing body of the use-value estimate program. The Council’s voting members include Virginia’s: Tax Commissioner, Commissioner of Agriculture, State Forester, Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. One month prior to the September meeting, use-value estimates are presented for public review. The September meeting allows for discussion, explanation, and comments regarding the estimates before a final vote. All the meetings are open to interested individuals to ask questions on values and methods.