Kevin Hursh, The StarPhoenix

Published: Wednesday, April 02, 2008

It’s a time of life-changing decisions for a lot of farm families. The economic assumptions in agriculture have been dramatically altered during the past year and producers are reacting accordingly.

More than the usual numbers of young people are coming back to the farm. This isn’t based on any official statistics — just anecdotal evidence from talking to a lot of producers.

“Our son is coming back to farm with us. He’s bought a bit of land and we’re renting some more land this year.” This kind of story is much more common this spring.

The economics of grain farming haven’t looked this positive in decades and it is convincing some to take the plunge and return to the family operation.

That often means buying or renting more land to make it viable for Dad and Mom as well as the next generation. With more land comes the need for larger equipment. There are long waiting lists for many types of new equipment, so there are all sorts of deals happening for good, used farm machinery.

Lending institutions are doing a brisk farm business for farm land, machinery and operating capital. It helps that interest rates are low and have been dropping.

There’s no guarantee how long good grain prices will last. Futures markets have seen unprecedented volatility, but there continue to be opportunities to lock in attractive prices for the crop year ahead.

There’s also no guarantee input costs won’t continue to increase and could dramatically squeeze net returns in the years ahead. While there’s no certainty, there is optimism the next few years could be good ones to be growing grain.

There are also more farmers than usual exiting the grain business. Despite the bright outlook, there are a massive number of auction sales this spring. If you were looking to end your farming career, now is a great time to get good value for your equipment and land.

For many farm operations, there isn’t a next generation interested in continuing the tradition and there is now an opportunity to leave with more cash than seemed possible just a couple of years ago.

While these are optimistic times for grain, livestock producers are looking down a long dark tunnel searching for some rays of hope. For those in the cattle business, these are tough times with even worse returns than during the years of the BSE crisis. Many mixed farms with both grain and cattle are letting the cattle side go.

In addition to the dismal economic outlook for beef production, labour availability is an issue. Producers in their 60s are often deciding to reduce their workload by getting rid of the cows while keeping the grain side of the business.

There are also producers who have determined off-farm income makes more sense for them than staying close to the farm to look after a relatively small herd of cows through the winter.

The number of family farm hog operations has dwindled rapidly over the years and with the terrible losses currently facing that industry, smaller family run operations are an endangered species.

Producers who leave the hog business now are unlikely to return when profitability finally returns to the sector.
As time proceeds, statistics will eventually become available to confirm all these trends. Farm debt will be up from all the new loans. Land prices will be stronger. Beef and hog numbers are going to decline.

Behind the statistics are the lives of farm families. A dramatically altered economic outlook is encouraging major changes in who will be operating farms in the years ahead as well as how they will be run.

Kevin Hursh is a consulting agrologist and farmer based in Saskatoon. He can be reach at kevin@hursh.ca.

Popularity: 42% [?]

PUBLISHED: Saturday, May 17, 2008
Auction brings fond memories

By SUSAN FIELD
Clare Managing Editor

Standing under a canopy at Yoder farm in Isabella County’s Wise Township Friday, Brenda Owen opted for a handmade, wooden doll carriage and thought about her youth.

Owen, now a resident of Attica who was born in Clare, has fond memories of the farm, which for years was owned by her grandparents, Floyd and Alma Bontrager.

Owen didn’t stop visiting the farm when her grandparents sold it to the Yoder family; it is now the site of the annual Yoder Quilt Auction and Flea Market, which draws people from near and far.

Owen remembered her visits to the farm as a child, when her grandparents raised hogs, spending time with her family and picking tomato worms off plants in the garden.

Now, Owen, who was at the auction with her sister-in-law, Robin McQuaid of Mt. Pleasant, heads to northern Isabella County every year for the event and has enjoyed it in adulthood as much as she did as a child.

Looking at the doll stroller she purchased from Dover Road Woodworking, Owen said she never leaves the auction empty-handed. “I buy something every year,” she said. “I’ve had some fond memories here.”

On one visit to the event, Owen purchased Amish dolls sharing the names of her great-grandparents, Eli and Katie, adding another family connection to the farm.

While the original farmhouse where she spent time as a child is still on the farm, a church that was once located across the road – where her grandfather ministered – is now gone.

Some things on the farm and its surroundings have changed, but Owen’s trek to the auction remains constant.

On Friday, she purchased scrubbers, jelly, wooden spoons and other items, while her husband, Randy Owen, typically buys equipment for his tree business, such as rakes and shovels.

As Owen and McQuaid wandered through the aisles of canopies looking at Amish goods, crowds were inside the barn, where Amish quilts were being auctioned.

Yet others roamed the farm grounds, buying homemade baskets, baked goods, cheese, knit items and other offerings.

The auction and flea market continues today at 9 a.m. at Yoder farm, 10885 N. Leaton Road.

Popularity: 47% [?]

Many of us who are enophiles have amassed quite a valuable collection of fine and rare wines. We appreciate the artistry of wine, drink it regularly, and often boast to our friends when we acquire a wonderful treasure. This being said, we happily proceed with our passion and pursuit of collecting, never giving a second thought to protecting our wine as we do our other valued assets.

If you have a substantial collection of fine and rare wines, you should seriously entertain the thought of having your wine professionally appraised. Imagine the worst case scenarios such as fire, flood, mechanical equipment failure (i.e. cooling unit in your wine cellar dying), and theft! These disasters could wipe out your entire wine collection instantly. Does your homeowner’s insurance policy protect your wine collection currently? In most cases, your homeowner’s insurance policy would require you to obtain an additional rider to your existing policy to protect your wines. Your insurance company requires that a dollar value be placed upon your entire wine collection, and this is performed by an expert on valuation (i.e. certified appraiser).

Have you ever considered other issues affecting your wine collection such as personal investment, estate planning, charity donations, and tax issues? These legal concerns also require the need for a certified appraisal. According to the IRS Tax Code, any donation you make in excess of $5000 requires the attachment of a certified appraisal to your tax return.

What are the qualifications of a certified appraiser? A certified appraiser is someone who possesses training and certification in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), which is a federal guideline established by the US Congress in 1986. All USPAP certified appraisers are registered with the Appraisal Foundation in Washington DC, and are overseen by the appointed congressional sub-committee. Are appraisers licensed? Only real estate appraisers are required to be licensed in most states. Personal property appraisers (i.e. wine) are not required to have a license, but are certified in USPAP just as real estate appraisers are. Unfortunately, your local wine shop retailers and distributors, although knowledgeable about the wines they handle and sell, are not qualified as appraisers, unless they are certified in USPAP.

How can you spot a fraud? There are many appraisal organizations today awarding designations to appraisers, but do not be deceived by these designations! Only those appraisal organizations offering appraisal certification in USPAP are legitimate. Ask to see the appraiser’s proof of USPAP certification or his proof of registration with the Appraisal Foundation in Washington DC. Footnote: It is a violation of USPAP for any certified appraiser to charge a percentage of the appraised value as a fee. Legitimate appraisers charge a flat fee or hourly rate.

Over the years, I have appeared as an expert witness in many court cases in which issues of valuation were disputed by individuals, insurance companies, etc. More often than not the presiding judge would dismiss the other party’s alleged expert witness, usually a wannabe appraiser, as being unqualified and unfit. I have not lost a case yet, or a case of wine for that matter. Protect your wine assets and have them professionally appraised.

Tom DiNardo is a licensed auctioneer, certified appraiser, writer, and avid wine collector. You may reach Tom through his web site www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com . © 2005 Tom DiNardo – All Rights Reserved.

Popularity: 55% [?]

TURKEY CREEK AUCTIONS
Citra, FL
June 21, 2008

CONTACT: David Glynn
(800) 648-7523

The lifetime collections of art, antiques, jewelry, silver and famous name shotguns from two outstanding estates will cross the block at Turkey Creek Auctions in Citra, FL on June 21.

(CITRA, FL) – Turkey Creek Auctions owner in Citra, FL, Charles David Glynn, has been a busy fellow recently. He secured the consignment of the estate of Mrs. Edward F. Timmons, from upper crust Boston family, to cross the block the same time as the Camp/McKay estate, Florida’s early upper crust, from Ocala, FL. In the 1950s and 1960s Mrs. Timmons lectured on samplers, antiques and jewelry and the romance and customs of American Colonies, focusing on the role of Colonial women, while indulging her passion for collecting. Her acquisitions included Boston, Irish, Scottish and English silver, paintings, boxes and fans. The Camp family, one of Florida’s wealthiest families, with holdings in mining and state wide business interests, has a selection of fine silver purchased at Tiffany’s, excellent examples of Rookwood pottery and fine furniture acquired while on the Grand Tour through Europe as wealthy families of the early twentieth century often did. The Camp’s also had a taste for fine guns including Parker and L.C. Smith shotguns.

The Timmons estate has contributed some significant art for this sale including two paintings by Impressionist painter Abbott Fuller Graves (American 1859-1936), a work by Barbizon painter Charles Francois Daubigny (French 1817-1878), a miniature on ivory self portrait by Sarah Goodrich (American 1788-1853), a miniature on ivory of Madame de Poirabebie by Herbin and large O/C of a mother and child signed “Bornazi, Paris.”

This sale contains over 100 pounds of silver items, most from the Camp estate. Of special note is a hand hammered martini shaker with twelve glasses and tray by William Waldo Dodge, Jr. of Asheville, NC. There is also a heavy six piece Gorham tea set with tray, Tiffany candlesticks, English and Dutch silver boxes, water pitchers, compotes, trays, plates, bowls,, a Boston coin silver tea caddy, chatelaines, an English silver perfume horn form, Scottish snuff mulls and silver egg shaped nutmeg grinder and much more.

Furniture will include two column front china closets with mirrored backs, an Art Deco iron planter, a Belgian carved dining set, a Spanish style bedroom set three matching mahogany bookcases and a pair of custom made demilune cabinets.

On the accessory rack can be found a Roycroft copper bowl, Rookwood pottery, a French marble lyre clock, some fine Baccarat and a seven inch blue decorated stoneware pitcher. The shotguns include a rare 28 gauge Parker double barrel, circa 1910, in good condition and a custom made LC Smith in excellent condition, circa 1920.

Turkey Creek Auctions has been in Central Florida for over twenty years and conducts twelve regular monthly auctions each year in addition to special events. Auction owner Charles David Glynn will be accepting absentee bids for this sale which begins at 6:00PM on Saturday June 21. Preview will be Friday June 20 from 4:00-8:00PM and Saturday Noon to 6:00PM at the Auction facility. Turkey Creek Auctions is located at 13939 N. Hwy 441 in Citra, FL 32113, 13 miles north of Ocala. Visit the website at www.antiqueauctionsfl.com for directions and more information or call David Glynn at (800) 648-7523 for details.

written by:

Fred Taylor

http://www.furnituredetective.com/

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR TURKEY CREEK AUCTIONS
Sale June 21, 2008

Abbott Fuller Graves, O/C, 20 X 24in.

Part of the Tiffany sterling silver collection from the Camp/McKay estate

Miniature self portrait on ivory by Sarah Goodridge

Charles Francois Daubigny, O/C, 9¾ X 16½in

Vellum glaze artist signed Rookwood

Hammered silver martini shaker, glasses and tray by william Waldo Dodge, Jr.

Popularity: 45% [?]

Auctioneer does nonprofits’ bidding
By Muhammed El-Hasan Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/11/2008 08:06:56 PM PDT

Auctioneer Jim Moore of Rolling Hills Estates works the audience to hike the bidding up during a school fundraiser at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach
Growing up in Kentucky, Jim Moore was fascinated by the auctioneers he saw at auctions of cattle, tobacco and farm implements.

After such events, Moore would still hear the auctioneers’ rapid-fire cadence like a song you can’t get out of your head. He would try to mimic them at home or in the shower.

When Moore grew up, he worked various jobs, including publicist, actor and journalist, and now teaches horsemanship.

But the Rolling Hills Estates resident never lost his love for the auction.

About a decade ago, Moore was at a charity auction, with little participation from the attendees.

“I said, `Can I try it?’ and they said go ahead,” recalled Moore, 52. “So I started doing it, and everybody started paying attention.”

Today, Moore serves as a part-time auctioneer for nonprofit groups seeking to raise funds.

How do you set yourself apart from other auctioneers?

My Southern twang helps with the auctioneering. It adds a little bit of a different sound and cadence. Most people aren’t familiar with it. You have a lot of celebrities doing auctioneering, but they don’t sound like me.

What do you wear at auctions?

I always go cowboy. And I always get there early enough to work the room. I want to find out what people are interested in. I find out who the bidders are.

How often do you serve as an auctioneer?

I probably do one or two a month.

What’s the most expensive item you’ve auctioned off?

I recently sold a parking spot for Peninsula Heritage School in Rolling Hills Estates. Somebody bought a parking spot for $20,000. I think that’s got to be the ultimate.

What else have you auctioned off?

Two tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show taping in Chicago. It did not include airfare, and I sold it for $15,000. I’ve auctioned off trips to Italy, trail rides. Whatever the organizer can get as donations for charity is what I auction off.

How many items do you auction off at an event?

I’ve auctioned off up to 10 to 15 items. That’s about the limit of the audience’s attention span.

How long does it take to auction off one item?

Three to five to 10 minutes, depending on the enthusiasm of the crowd.

What’s the hardest item to auction off?

Trips are often the most difficult. There’s a window of when you can use the tickets and sometimes it doesn’t fit into people’s schedules.

What’s the best part of your job?

Making ‘em laugh. If there’s kids in the audience, I get the kids onstage and try to get them to do the auction as fast as they can. If there’s a celebrity, I try to get them on stage and mimic me, and invariably they can’t and it gets a laugh.

What’s the worst part of your job?

When people are not interested in bidding. That’s just like pulling teeth.

How much do you charge per auction?

Anywhere from $600 to $2,000 a night, depending on the event. Plus I like for them to feed me.

What’s the best meal you’ve had at an auction?

It was downtown L.A. It was all nice fillet. I’m a meat and potatoes guy.

Do you get hoarse from auctioneering?

Sometimes I do. I have a big booming voice and a microphone, but by the end of the night it gets pretty strained. But a couple shots of tequila and I’m OK.

muhammed.el-hasan@dailybreeze.com

FIND OUT MORE

Jim Moore

310-377-8834

Popularity: 44% [?]

May 11, 2008 ( Stillwater NewsPress - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) — – Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Berry has a Web site at www.berryauctions.com, and an office at 614 S. Main St. in Stillwater.

Popularity: 47% [?]

MarkNet Alliance member companies have achieved a new milestone with more than 300 auctions in 26 states currently active.

No other member-based company in the auction industry has reached this milestone. These auctions include everything from land, residential real estate and commercial real estate, to personal property and niche markets. Hundreds of these are online auctions that use MarkNet’s proprietary Streamline Bid software.

“This is a tremendous achievement for our group of companies,” said Matt Corso, MarkNet Alliance Operations Officer. “The members of MarkNet Alliance are really working hard at growing their businesses and staying on the leading edge of the industry. We are very grateful to be partnered with each of our member companies and we will continue to work hard to help them achieve even greater accomplishments with their businesses.”

About MarkNet Alliance:

MarkNet Alliance is a national membership-based network of auction companies. MarkNet companies are already successful auction professionals with proven track records and thriving businesses. MarkNet allows companies to grow their existing businesses through technology, networking and educational training. MarkNet never asks a member company to give up their local identity, but instead partners with the company to help it grow.

MarkNet Alliance tools allow member companies to be more efficient, have a broader depth of expertise and help serve their clients with a more complete and well rounded service than ever before. MarkNet’s revolutionary software allows members to cooperate with other member auctioneers across the country and manage the process from their home office.

To view the variety of current auctions and to find out more about MarkNet Alliance and its member companies please visit www.marknetalliance.com. You can also contact Matt Corso or Wendy Stewart at 1-888-307-6545.

Popularity: 52% [?]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2008

AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES
Sale February 25, 2008
West Palm Beach, FL

The painting by American Guy Wiggins was the top lot at Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches at $28,080.

A Vero Beach estate provided plenty of action for the 555 registered bidders who participated in the February 25 sale at Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL. The sale attracted an unusually high amount of online activity through LiveAuctioneers.com because of the quality and volume of the inventory according to Auction owner Brian Kogan. The 100 inhouse registered bidders were joined by 455 who signed up though LiveAuctioneers.com along with 80 phone and absentee bidders. Overall 25 percent of the 372 lot inventory was won by online bidders.

Art led the way to the top lot in the form of an oil on canvas board, 16 by 20in, from American painter Guy Carleton Wiggins (1883-1962). His Impressionist painting of an urban snow scene entitled “Fifth Ave” sold to a local collector in the room for $28,080 including the buyer’s premium (est $20,000/$30,000). Following close behind was an original painting in acrylic and ink by Joan Miro (Spanish 1893-1983) which was included in the book “MIRO LITHOGRAPHS II,” preface by Raymond Gueneau, Leon Amiel publisher, New York 1975. The signed work and the copy of the book sold in the room for $24,750. A 17½in diameter disk, bronze with verdigris patina, signed by Alexander Archipenko (American 1881-1964) featuring Russian peasant figures was a protest work inscribed with a Ukranian poem referring to Stalin. Estimated at $10,000/$15,000, it sold on the floor for $23,400.

Other works of art included an oil on canvas in the manner of Jean Marc Nattier (French 1685-1766). “Mother and Child with Dog” was a 49¼ by 38in 19th century paining in a gilded frame. Estimated at $2,000/$3,000, it closed at $8,482 and a Spanish School oil on canvas, “Portrait of an Officer,” circa 1800, estimated at $1,000-$1,500, it was hammered down to an Internet bidder for $6,710.

Both period and reproduction furniture was strong. A set of four walnut George III Irish Chippendale chairs had some old restorations but generally were in very good condition. They found a new home with a floor bidder for $16,380 (est $6,000/$8,000). Need a table for those chairs? Along came a George III mahogany triple pedestal dining table with a satinwood crossbanded top, oval ends and vase shape standards raised on downswept reeded legs ending in brass caps and castors, circa 1800. The 89in by 41in table with two 20¾in extension leaves closed at $8,190 (est $4,000/$6,000). A George III style mahogany tall case clock, American circa 1880 with a movement stamped twice “Walter Durfee, Providence R .I.,” a hood with broken pediment and a dial signed by Henry A. Turner & Co, Boston, estimated at $5,000/$8,000, sold for $9,360.

Louis XVI 20th century reproductions were popular. A French Louis XVI style bureau plat with gilt bronze mounts and frieze brought $2,808, well above the $1,200/$1,600 estimate. A French Louis XVI chest, circa 1900, with four long drawers raised on short circular legs sold for $2,574 (est $500/$700) and a French Louis XVI gilt bronze mounted mahogany game table, circa 1910, 44½ by 25¼in, went for $2,223 (est $800/$1,200).

Fancy lighting was in heavy demand. A pair of Empire style gilt and patinated bronze figural six light candelabra, French 19th century, each cast as a semi-nude Grecian female holding aloft a vase issuing candle arms, 39¾in high, raised on a gilt marble mounted plinth, estimated at $3,000/$5,000, had extremely heavy phone bidding but sold in the room for $11,700. A rare pair of George III cut glass two light sconces, English circa 1775, with a provenance from Shreve, Crump & Low of Boston, roared over the estimate of $500/$800 to close at $4,914.

For more information about this sale and upcoming sales including the Chess Collectors International chess sale in May call (561) 805-7115, email info@agopb.com or visit the website at http://www.agopb.com. The Gallery is located at 1609 South Dixie Hwy, Suite 5, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401.

Written by:
Fred Taylor
http://www.furnituredetective.com/
800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES

This 16 by 20in oil on canvas board by Guy C. Wiggins was top lot at
$28,080.

This bronze disk entitled “Ukraine 1931” was signed by Alexander
Archipneko. It closed above estimate at $23,400.

An acrylic and ink work by Joan Miro brought $24,750.

A pair of George III walnut Iris Chippendale chairs in good condition doubled
the $6,000/$8,000 estimate to close at $16,380.

This magnificent pair of 19th century French Empire style candelabra
soared over estimate closing at $11,300.

This fine pair of William IV English Sheffield coasters was made by K.G. &
Co in 1834. Estimated at $800/$1,200, they sold online for $2,928.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Popularity: 32% [?]

This is huge  !

From the Paid Content Blog

By Joseph Weisenthal - Fri 28 Mar 2008 11:42 AM PST

Newspaper publishers might hope there’s some truth to the old line about it being darkest before the dawn. A new report from the Newspaper Association of America says the newspaper print ad downturn in 2007 was the worst it had seen in more than 50 years of measuring the numbers. Total revenue for the industry fell 7.9 percent to $45.3 billion, with print revenue falling by 9.4 percent to $42 billion. The previous worst was during the recession of 2001 (online ads weren’t being measured). Prior to that, the worst was a 6 percent slide during the recession of 1991. Of course, the industry is getting hit with a double whammy: secular industry shifts, and the effects of a sorry economy, which has decimated core revenue bases like housing, employment and auto ads. Full data. (via E&P)

The online picture is brighter, with revenue growing by 19 percent for the year. But the cloud behind that silver lining is that digital still accounts for just 7.5 percent of the total. And in many instances, as we’ve seen, digital growth is well below the industry total. Release.

Popularity: 35% [?]