One of the toughest challenges for farmers to deal with is crop disease. Weather conditions can breed harmful bacteria and viruses in different kinds of crops, and if these things aren't carefully watched, it can ruin a farmer's harvest.

The future of farming in New Jersey is heavily tied into agritourism, according to Brian Schilling, a professor in Rutgers University’s Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics.

Earlier this week, thanks to the favorable influence of outside markets, the trading prices of corn, soybeans and wheat went up. According to Agriculture.com, corn futures rose two cents per bushel, soybeans saw an increase of about two and a half cents and wheat grew about five cents. Overnight grain trading has also proven beneficial for prices. Farmers have been enjoying a steady stream of success all year, and the increased value of these commodities can only make things better.

Recently, Boulder County, Colorado, adopted what is known as the Cropland Policy, an initiative aimed at helping provide reliable and sustainable methods of agriculture throughout the area. Although the policy has been in the works for nearly two years, it is by no means finished. According to the Daily Camera, it will continually be revisited and attempts will be made to improve it.

According to Charlottesville Tomorrow, representatives from the city of Charlottesville as well as Albemarle County voted to move a sewer pump station and construct a new facility at what is currently the Moores Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Construction will take about three years and may cost anywhere between $25 and $55 million.

Tulsa, Okla., ranks among one of the top metropolitan areas in the nation for construction job growth this year. According to TulsaWorld, this is largely in thanks to a budding oil and gas industry, as well as the rise of health care and hospitality throughout the area.

While recent data has shown that construction employment is decreasing nationwide, that's not the case in Ohio, reports the Dayton Daily News.

In a sign that the economy may be working its way back, Fort Benning - located in Georgia - has just commissioned three construction projects, collectively valued at more than $30 million. According to Canadian Business, the projects consist of an expansion to an existing rail loading facility, a new trainee barracks and a central issue facility.

The economy may still be moving forward at a snail's pace, but that hasn't stopped the nation's farmers from having one of the most profitable years in decades. According to the Economic Times, many crops have high prices and there is a steady worldwide demand for corn for the production of ethanol.

Building permits in Cleveland in the months of October and November broke $5.5 million, demonstrating that the city is moving forward out of the economic recession. The construction of new homes comprised the majority of permits, according to the Cleveland Banner, as well as renovations on existing buildings.

Across the country, spending on new roadways is down nearly 6 percent this year, which has made it tough for many in the road-building business. However, Vermont is one state that has been immune to the effects across the nation, reports Vermont Public Radio.

Two large distribution centers for online retailer Amazon.com in Chesterfield and Dinwiddie Counties, Virginia are set for construction in the near future. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the facilities will cost $135 million to construct and will employ about 1,350 individuals while work is being done.

If you're in the market for a new automobile, you may be considering buying one used. Of course, the idea of shopping for a previously-owned car may bring to mind images of suit-wearing salesmen, eager to sell you a marked up junker. Luckily, times have changed - thanks to the creation of internet auction sites such a IronPlanetMotors.com, motorists in the market for a new vehicle can simply peruse options and place a bid online. And, thanks to our IronClad Assurance, you'll have peace of mind knowing you're making a reliable purchase.

Farmers have produced a record-high corn crop for the sixth year in a row, reports Bloomberg News.

The construction of a 30,000 square-foot art museum in Aspen, Colo., is drawing ever closer with each day. According to the Aspen Daily News, a generator contractor has been chosen. Construction is set to begin in 2012, with the museum slated to open sometime in 2014.

At some point in the near future, work is set to begin on a prototype Apple Store in downtown Palo Alto, Calif. According to Mercury News, this new store could potentially be the company's first attempt at a redesign of their iconic establishments.

The construction of a biomass power plant in Rothschild, Wisc., has proven to be a boon for the local economy. According to Central Wisconsin Hub, about 75 workers are currently employed as the initial phases of construction are wrapping up. That number is expected to climb to 250 by summer 2012.

Work has resumed on a $53-million addition to the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel in Salamanca, N.Y. According to the Salamanca Press, a second tower will be added to the hotel, effectively doubling its capacity. The casino consistently sees occupancy rates of about 95 percent, so the project will help them accommodate more guests as they look for rooms.

As 2011 draws to a close, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey is completing his tour of every single county in the state. According to the Daily Globe, Iowa is second only to California in terms of agriculture sales. In fact, Northey suspects that there's no reason the increased demand for various crops should decrease anytime soon.

Chobani - a Greek company best known for its yogurt - officially broke ground on what is expected to be a large new plant in Twin Falls, Idaho, earlier this week. However, the ceremony may have been little more than a formality. According to The Magic Valley Times-News, construction crews have been hard at work ensuring the site is ready for work to begin.

Apartment constructions have jumped somewhat dramatically recently, and the increased number of permits indicates that the housing industry may soon be working its way back up.

City officials in Naperville, Ill., recently indicated that the town's construction of single-family homes rebounded sharply in 2011, reports the Naperville Sun.

With demand growing for locally-sourced food rather than major agricultural businesses, many small farms and entrepreneurs are seeing an uptick in business, reports Voice of America.

The local food revolution has resulted in a number of new farms and agricultural initiatives starting, and has also increased the business to small farms that aren't part of the industrial agricultural system, according to the news source. Even those without a background in agriculture are beginning to take an interest in setting up a farm, such as recent Duke graduate Emily Sloss, a public policy major who helped start a farm on campus. That farm now supplies over two tons of food to the local area.

Pockets of Opportunity Remain; Good Business Management is Key

After a very difficult few years, things are looking up.

The “Great Correction” that the country has been enduring the past few years was, unfortunately, inevitable. Too many consumers and businesses were over-exuberant for too long, relying on unsustainable profits and credit to drive their personal and corporate aspirations. While this isn’t news by any stretch, it does continue to drive how the economy rebounds and how that growth will progress for the coming years.

Farmers can expect to see a rise in corn plantings in 2012, says Informa Economics, a private analytical firm. According to Agriculture.com, Informa Economics had originally predicted this past October that 93.1 million acres would be planted. They're now revising that figure to 94 million acres.

Analysts suggest that this increased prediction is a result of the crop's improved net revenue prospects, giving farmers more of an incentive to increase production. The news provider also reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently estimated that farmers will have harvested 12.310 billion bushels of corn by this year's end.

In a sign that agriculture may be in the midst of an upswing, John Deere reported a fourth-quarter profit that topped estimates, thanks in no small part to farmers looking to purchase combines and tractors.

Automotive-mirror manufacturer Gentex announced recently that it would soon begin construction on a 140-acre factory in Zeeland Township, Mich. According to MLive.com, the project is the largest of its kind in township history and will create new job opportunities for the surrounding area.

Housing starts surged in the month of November, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, signaling that the construction market is stabilizing headed into 2012.

The National Association of Home Builders has revealed that builder confidence levels have reached their highest point since May 2010, after the Housing Market Index rose for the third consecutive month in December.

Metrics are an important component of agricultural business, assisting farmers in determining how well they're doing. Ultimately, one of the most important is crop return projections, which indicate how much of a return on investment farmers can expect from each type of crop they plant.

The primary harvesting period for corn in the Midwest is coming to an end, and by the time December rolls around, the season will be over. Winter is a crucial time for farmers and equipment operators, so it's important that you take a step back and evaluate your needs for the coming spring season.

IronPlanet makes it a breeze to liquidate your used farm equipment, giving you the funds and the opportunity to retool. Give some thought to trading up so you'll be ready to hit the ground running when spring rolls around. Newer equipment means faster and more efficient planting and harvesting, which can lead to better yields next year.

Finding a buyer for used construction equipment can be difficult through traditional means. Physical auctions may only be held a few times a year, and even then they might be limited to a particular region. This can shorten the list of potential buyers before the item even has a chance to go up on the block. Those looking for a faster turnaround may find what they're looking for at IronPlanet.

The Santa Clara Stadium Authority has voted to approve an $850 million loan, which would go toward the construction of a new stadium for the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are hoping to move to Santa Clara in the near future, with plans for a new $1 billion complex already well underway.

Construction firms in Maine are likely to take a bit of a hit in 2012, as the state is planning to cut funding significantly for new road and bridge work in the new year, reports the Bangor Daily News.

Farmers depend almost entirely on their crops in order to turn a profit, so it can be disastrous if the planting is ruined by a natural disaster or similar event. This year, thousands of farmers were affected by serious flooding along the Missouri River, which was caused when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were forced to blow up levees at certain reservoirs to prevent those areas from becoming flooded. Instead, that water traveled downstream and flooded thousands of acres of farmland all through the Midwest.

If you're looking to sell your used farm tractor, used dump truck or used crane online, you may be concerned about losing out on revenue due to federal income taxes. Depending on the item and the seller's income bracket, you could lose nearly a quarter of the money generated by your sale before it ever makes it into your pocket. However, if you've sold a piece of equipment for capital gain, you may qualify for a Tax Free exchange.

If you're in the market for used construction equipment, you're going to be dealing with some large numbers when it comes time to pay for your auction. It's important to keep track of the purchase price and any additional fees that must be paid, which can be a challenge if you're not sure where to look.

Those with a used dump truck, flatbed truck or compactor may be wondering what benefits selling it online can have. IronPlanet's marketplace offers a number of different ways to sell an item, meaning the equipment will be sold quickly and efficiently. Naturally, different sellers have different needs, and so whether one is dealing with one piece of equipment or an entire fleet, IronPlanet can help ensure a fair price is received.

If you're in the market for used mining equipment used construction equipment, you're going to be dealing with some large numbers when it comes time to pay for your auction. It's important to keep track of the purchase price and any additional fees that must be paid, which can be a challenge if you're not sure where to look.

Calling it "one of the best years ever," The Associated Press reports that 2011 was very kind to those in the agricultural business, as profits jumped 28 percent to over $100 billion total.

Swedish construction company Skanska AB is projecting a large number of new construction projects available over the next six months, making it a great time to buy used construction equipment from auctions like IronPlanet. IronPlanet offers a wide range of equipment and vehicles to help you get the job done right, and the IronClad Assurance program ensures that everything that goes on the block is of the highest quality.

Skanska CEO Johan Karlstrom said that things were looking up in terms of new projects over the next six months, according to MarketWatch. Karlstrom made the comments on a conference call discussing the company's third quarter earnings.

With a big construction project on the horizon, it may become clear that the time to buy new equipment has arrived. Upgrading dump trucks, welders or scrapers may be a worthwhile investment - they'll run more efficiently, which can make it possible to take on more jobs in the future.

Many people look at ATVs as recreational vehicles, but farmers have known for years that these machines are great for getting around the land and doing some of the tougher tasks.

Have you ever found yourself sitting in your car, waiting for the heat to kick in so your windows can defrost? It's a frustrating and time-consuming part of winter driving that seems unavoidable. While you can't fog-proof your car, there are steps you can take to get out on the road faster.

According to the University of Illinois' Department of Physics, condensation on the inside of a windshield occurs when the temperature inside the car is warmer than the air outside, which is frequently the case in the winter.

Some companies have grown to the point that a simple decision can have a major economic impact. That's certainly the case with Facebook and the city of Menlo Park, Calif., which is the proposed new site for the social media giant's headquarters.

The fourth quarter 2011 report of the Turner Building Cost Index, which tracks the cost of building non-residential projects for construction companies, increased marginally compared to the previous quarter, reflecting the fact that construction companies are spending more on their projects.

Those with a used dump truck, flatbed truck or compactor may be wondering what benefits selling it online can have. Although traditional auction sites may be somewhat limited in their scope, IronPlanet's marketplace offers a number of different ways to sell an item, meaning the equipment will be sold quickly and efficiently.

When looking to buy or sell used agriculture equipment or construction equipment online, there are a number of websites offering their services.However, IronPlanet was the first website to do this, and has proven time and time again to be a reliable and knowledgeable company that helps its customers walk away from an auction fully satisfied.

Whether buying farm tractors or forestry equipment online, there are a lot of considerations to be made when going through the process. Transportation and distance must be considered, quick responses to questions and responses are important, and the bidding or buying process can vary greatly from site to site. The prospect of purchasing online may be intimidating, which is why a knowledgeable customer service is so vital.

When selling more specialized construction equipment such as backhoe loaders, it can be difficult to find a competitive market of prospective buyers. A number of traditional auction sites are somewhat limited in scope, meaning they may not be able to host a particular item. However, IronPlanet is capable of accommodating a very wide range of equipment, which can make the selling process much simpler.

If you've got a used dump truck, flatbed truck or compactor that you're looking to offload, you may be wondering as to the benefits of selling it online. Although traditional auction sites may be somewhat limited in their scope, IronPlanet's marketplace offers a number of different ways for you to list your item, meaning you'll have an easier time finding a buyer.

Selling construction equipment or agricultural equipment online may seem like a daunting task, and you may be wondering what the advantages of using IronPlanet are versus traditional auction sites. Beyond the fact that IronPlanet can help you customize your item's page to appeal to more prospective buyers, efforts are also put into place to help drive interest and net you a better price when the auction is finished.

Construction equipment manufacturer CNH Global N.V. has announced that its third-quarter sales jumped 30 percent this year. Revenue from sales for the brand rose to $4.6 billion in the third quarter.

While the sales were up sharply, profits were ultimately up even higher for CNH. Increased demand for equipment coupled with improved prices meant that operating profit jumped 92 percent, to $460 million.

Agricultural equipment accounted for the majority of sales for CNH, comprising 77 percent of all units sold, with the remaining being construction equipment. However, the construction equipment sales improved more dramatically than the agricultural products - up 36 percent compared to 29 percent.

Although spending on construction is still down from previous levels, the Commerce Department revealed that it was up slightly in October, reports The Washington Post.