Results of the North Dakota Land Valuation Model for the 2011 Agricultural Real Estate Assessment

This report summarizes the 2011 results of the North Dakota Land Valuation Model. The model is used annually to estimate average land values by county, based on the value of production from cropland and non-cropland. The county land values developed from this procedure form the basis for the 2011 valuation of agricultural land for real estate tax assessment. The average value for all agricultural land in a county from this analysis is multiplied by the total acres of agricultural land on the county abstract to determine each county’s total agricultural land value for taxation purposes. The State Board of Equalization compares this value with the total value assessed to agricultural property in each county. Each county is required by state statute to assess a total value of agricultural property within 5 percent of this value. The average value per acre of all agricultural land in North Dakota increased by 5.4 percent from 2010 to 2011 based on the value of production. The value of cropland increased by 6.0 percent, and non-cropland value decreased by 0.40 percent. The formula capitalization rate was below the minimum set by the State Legislature, therefore the minimum rate of 7.4 percent was used. The increase in the values for cropland and all agricultural land was due to the increased value of crop production. The value of production for most counties has been considerably higher since 2007 than prior years. This increase in value of production is a combination of increased yields, higher prices and a change in cropping mix. The change in crop revenue impacted land values from a negative 0.52 percent in Pembina County to an increase of 13.12 percent in Hettinger County. The capitalization rate change increased land valuations by 4.05 percent in all counties; while the cost of production index decreased land values in all counties by 5.72 percent. Changes in market value are included for comparison. Market value data are from the annual County Rents and Values survey conducted by North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service.Land valuation, real estate assessment, agricultural land, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use,

COUNTY LEVEL TAXABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND VALUES IN NORTH DAKOTA: COMPARING THE GROSS REVENUE APPROACH WITH VALUES BASED ON RENTAL VALUES

Land values calculated with the current North Dakota agricultural land valuation model were compared with values calculated by capitalizing the average cash rent for each county. Results showed there was a significant difference in cropland values, but there was no significant difference in non-cropland values. Land values for the 2000, 2001, and 2002 assessments were compared.land valuation model, property taxes, North Dakota, Land Economics/Use,

ANALYSIS OF SOIL FERTILITY TESTING PROCEDURES USING UNIFORM, TOPOGRAPHICAL AND OTHER SITE-SPECIFIC METHODS

This study summarizes an analysis of uniform, topographical and other site-specific soil fertility testing procedures based on observations of various crops at various locations in North Dakota and one location in Minnesota for 2001 through 2004. Results showed little difference in economic returns among the soil fertility testing methods by crop or location.fertility, topography, soil testing, site-specific, North Dakota, Land Economics/Use,

Results of the North Dakota Land Valuation Model for the 2010 Agricultural Real Estate Assessment

This report summarizes the 2010 results of the North Dakota Land Valuation Model. The model is used annually to estimate average land values by county, based on the value of production from cropland and non-cropland. The county land values developed from this procedure form the basis for the 2010 valuation of agricultural land for real estate tax assessment. The average all agricultural land value from this analysis is multiplied by the total acres of agricultural land on the county abstract to determine each county’s total agricultural land value for taxation purposes. The State Board of Equalization compares this value with the total value assessed to agricultural property in each county. Each county is required by state statute to assess a total value of agricultural property within 5 percent of this value. The average value per acre of all agricultural land in North Dakota increased by 10.6 percent from 2009 to 2010 based on the value of production. The value cropland increased by 11.5 percent and non-cropland value increased by 1.7 percent. The formula capitalization rate was below the minimum set by the State Legislature, therefore the minimum rate of 7.7 percent was used. The majority of the increase in values for cropland and all agricultural land was due to the increased value of crop production. This increase in value of production was due primarily to market price increases that occurred in 2007 and 2008. The change in crop revenue impacted land values from a negative 1.6 percent to an increase of 21.8 percent by county. The capitalization rate change increased land valuations by 3.8 percent in all counties; while the cost of production index decreased land values in all counties by 5.3 percent.Land valuation, real estate assessment, agricultural land, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Land Economics/Use,

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF WET CORN GLUTEN FEED IN BEEF FEEDLOT FINISHING

An economic evaluation of wet corn gluten feed used in beef feedlot finishing was done. Data were from feeding trials at North Dakota State University. Four rations were analyzed at 0 percent, 28 percent, 56 percent, and 85 percent wet corn gluten based on dry matter intake. Data were entered into a computer model that integrated the feeding trial data with economic input and output prices. A typical feedlot example was used. Results indicated that the 56 percent ration was the most biologically efficient. A matrix of results can be shown for various corn prices, relative to wet corn gluten feed prices and quantities fed. Based on this study, wet corn gluten feed is priced competitively with other feed stuffs.wet corn gluten feed, feeding trials, feedlot, finishing, beef, economic analysis, North Dakota, Farm Management,

BASE REVENUE PROTECTION AND REVENUE COUNTERCYCLICAL PROGRAMS FOR SPRING WHEAT IN NORTH DAKOTA

The National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Team’s Base Revenue Projection Program (BRP) and the Revenue Countercyclical Program (RCCP) were analyzed. The analysis was done for spring wheat using the BRP-RCCP calculator, as developed by the National Corn Growers Association. Three representative counties (Hettinger, Ward and Cavalier) were chosen in North Dakota. Historic and projected data were used to analyze 2002 to 2010 crop years. A comparison of the BRP-RCCP programs to the current farm program was done. From 2002 to 2005, Ward County would have received nearly identical payments under the BRP-RCCP program and the current farm program. The Hettinger County farm would have received considerably more under the BRP-RCCP program - $76.87 per acre, compared with$38.99 under the existing farm program. This amounts to $9.22 per acre per year. For the Cavalier County farm, the advantage to the BRP-RCCP program was only$7.56 per acre for the four-year period.farm bill, wheat, countercyclical payments, revenue, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries,

BASE REVENUE PROTECTION AND REVENUE COUNTERCYCLICAL PROGRAMS FOR SOYBEANS IN NORTH DAKOTA

The National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Team’s Base Revenue Projection Program (BRP) and the Revenue Countercyclical Program (RCCP) were analyzed. The analysis was done for soybeans using the BRP-RCCP calculator, as developed by the National Corn Growers Association. Three representative counties (Cass, Stutsman and Benson) were chosen in North Dakota. Historic and projected data were used to analyze 2002 to 2010 crop years. A comparison of the BRP-RCCP programs to the current farm program was done. From 2002 to 2005, all counties would have received more payments with the BRP-RCCP program than they would have received under the current farm program. Benson County would benefit the most from this program, receiving $58.56 per acre more during the four years, or$14.64 per year. Cass County would receive $33.35 per acre and Stutsman County would receive$16.20 per acre more during this four-year period.farm bill, soybeans, countercyclical payments, revenue, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries,

BASE REVENUE PROTECTION AND REVENUE COUNTERCYCLICAL PROGRAMS FOR CORN IN NORTH DAKOTA

The National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Team’s Base Revenue Projection Program (BRP) and the Revenue Countercyclical Program (RCCP) were analyzed. The analysis was done for corn using the BRP-RCCP calculator, as developed by the National Corn Growers Association. Three representative counties (Richland, Barnes and Foster) were chosen in North Dakota. Historic and projected data were used to analyze 2002 to 2010 crop years. A comparison of the BRP-RCCP programs to the current farm program was done. For 2002 to 2005, Barnes County would have received more total payments under the BRP-RCCP program than with the current farm program. The gain would have been $24.12 per acre during the four years. Richland and Foster counties would have received more payments with the current farm program than with the BRP-RCCP program. The Richland County farm would have received considerably more under the existing program -$78.03 per acre for the four-year period, or about $19.50 per acre per year. For Foster County, the advantage to the current program was only$10.05 for the four-year period.farm bill, corn, countercyclical payments, revenue, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries,

Land use and pollution patterns on the Great Lakes

The author has identified the following significant results. The final mapping of the large watersheds of the Manitowoc and the Oconto was done using the 25% sampling approach. Comparisons were made with earlier strip mapping efforts of the Oconto and Manitowoc watersheds. Regional differences were noted. Strip mapping of the Oconto resulted in overestimation of the amount of agricultural land compared to the random sampling method. For the Manitowoc, the strip mapping approach produced a slight underestimate of agricultural land, and an overestimate of the forest category

Occurrence of Waterfowl Along a Proposed lmpoundment, the Saylorville Reservoir

Waterfowl were studied from early fall 1958 through spring 1959 along selected Des Moines River segments that will be affected by the Saylorville reservoir (now under construction). Periodic counts conducted during fall and spring yielded a total of 1,948 waterfowl (18 species) and 4 coots. During fall three species of geese (410) and five species of puddle ducks (302) were seen. Spring counts indicated 1,186 ducks of 14 species, including diving ducks (8%) and mergansers (11%). Four puddle duck species made up 74% of spring duck populations. Waterfowl per mile data were considered more valuable that waterfowl per hour data in developing usage patterns and indices. During fall a total of 169.2 miles were sampled, and waterfowl seen averaged 4.2 per mile. The following spring, along 45.0 river miles, an average of 23.0 waterfowl per mile was seen. Fall waterfowl densities varied greatly, with three peaks of waterfowl usage, but during spring, a single, rapid buildup followed by a decline in numbers occurred. Spring waterfowl- use days per mile (874) were over 10 times those of the previous fall (86.5). During fall 1958 (65 days), waterfowl- use days were calculated as 4,412 for the entire Saylorville project area (51 miles). Spring 1959 (40 days) waterfowl- use days totaled 44,574 for the same area. These data indicate considerably greater usage of the area by waterfowl than had previously been estimated