Government Regulations

Yes you can buy farmland with your ira

by Mike Downey https://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/yes-you-can-buy-farmland-your-ira Most people I work with own farmland, and many of them also own some type of retirement IRA. In transition planning, there is also a financial component to review what the income sources are during retirement. There is no doubt retirement funds invested in the stock market have performed very well over the last decade. However, as retirement nears the mindset about the stock market often changes and causes some to question whether there are other investment alternatives available for their funds. ‘I wish I could buy a farm with my IRA’This is a common expression …

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What the New Tax Law Means for Agriculture

New article May 16, 2018 by Farm Credit Bank of Texas (land.com) The largest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in three decades went into effect this year, impacting farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners in a variety of ways. For the most part, financial experts anticipate benefits for these groups. “The 2018 tax law changes include several items that I feel will be beneficial to agricultural producers,” says Burl Lowery, a Brownwood, Texas, certified public accountant and director of Central Texas Farm Credit. “The increase in the exemption in estate and generation-skipping taxes to $11.2 million in 2018 will …

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Greater Sage Grouse

Tuesday morning, at 9am, Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell made the announcement that the Greater Sage Grouse will not be listed on the endangered species list. “This is truly a historic day in the history of the American West cattle business,” said Oregon Cattlemen’s Executive Director Jerome Rosa. “Through collaborative efforts by ranchers, energy companies and conservationist reducing the decline of the sage grouse habitat in 11 Western states, the need for a listing was not needed.”  See entire article at AgWeb.com.

Developments in 2016 Texas Land Markets

Clift Land Brokers was well represented at the 27th Annual Outlook for Texas Land Markets in San Antonio in April. As usual, a lot of great information came out of this conference. One highlight was the presentation by Dr. Charles E. Gilliland,  PhD, Research Economist for Texas A & M University Real Estate Center on Texas Land Values. Click here for a copy of that presentation.  While 2017 1st quarter land values were up statewide 1.8% over 2016 4th quarter, and while other regions showed an increase, Region 1 – TX Panhandle and South Plains Region was down 3.4% over …

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Crop Insurance Priority 1

Crop Insurance: Priority #1, by Agri-Pulse Communications No matter who wins this November’s presidential election, one of the first items facing a new Secretary of Agriculture will be developing a 2018 farm bill, a process sure to begin early in 2017. As we start that effort, it is worth noting that for all its rich diversity, American agriculture seems to be united behind a few large overarching issues: coordinated and scientific regulatory policy by EPA, FDA, and USDA; healthy trade promotion; biotechnology; and farm labor issues, including immigration. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE  

Texas Real Estate Attorney Hammers WOTUS Reg

LandOwner Newsletter Vol 37 Issue 9 May 12, 2016 Texas Real Estate Attorney Hammers WOTUS Reg A court stay is the only wall standing between landowner property rights and a federal takeover of most of the nation’s land, says Judon Fambrough, an attorney with the Teal Estate Center at Texas A & M University. The result of the waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulation enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) means “the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction now extends well beyond the navigable waters of the U.S. to practically all waters if implemented,” says …

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1031 Exchange Trends for 2016

From the 1031 Insider Newsletter, IPX Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. January, 2016 FIRPTA – What the Change to FIRPTA Withholding Means for You Under current federal law, if a foreign person sells US real property, the buyer is obligated to withhold 10% of the gross sales price and remit this to the IRS. Pursuant to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, however, which became law on December 18, 2015 (the “PATH Act”), the required 10% withholding will increase to 15% for all closings occurring on or after February 16, 2016. There is an exception to the …

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EPA Raises Renewable Fuel Requirements

EPA Raises Renewable Fuel Requirements Agriculture, ethanol industry welcome certainty of final rule, but say required volume is too low. After years of delays, EPA on Monday finally released the renewable fuel standards for 2014, 2015, and most importantly, 2016. The rule calls for a total of 18.11 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2016, with targeted growth expected in categories such as: cellulosic biofuel (230 million gallons in 2016). biomass-based diesel (1.9 billion gallons in 2016 and 2 billion gallons in 2017). advanced biofuel (3.16 billion gallons in 2016). READ MORE AgWeb.com

Feds to Require Drone Registration

Feds to Require Drone Registration. The Obama administration — in a bid to start tracking personal drones and address safety concerns in advance of a holiday season when the industry projects thousands more will be sold — announced Monday it will require the registration of drone aircraft, even for “consumers and hobbyists.” The decision is meant in part to address the growing number of reported close calls and incidents that pose safety risks. Pilot sightings of drones have doubled since last year, including sightings near planes and major sporting events. Federal Aviation Administration chief Michel Huerta said registration will increase pressure …

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