The Texas A&M Agricultural and Food Policy Center and Nebraska Extension are teaming up to present a comprehensive Farm Bill Decision Aid computer workshop.  The hands-on training for farm managers, bankers, insurance agents, farmers, and landlords will be held Wednesday, January 14 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference (NIC) Center, 2021 Transformation Drive in Lincoln. 

The 2014 Farm Bill Commodity provisions are complex and nationally recognized ag economists Brad Lubben, UNL, and James Richardson, Texas A&M University, will lead the training. Richardson is the author of a new, cutting edge computer decision tool endorsed by USDA: the Texas A&M Computer Decision Aid. Attendees will learn how to use the program and interpret results and learn how managing risk is integrated into the model. Participants are encouraged to bring their own iPad, tablet, or laptop computer.Online pre-registration is open until Wednesday, January 7 at http://go.unl.edu/farmbill.

The Texas A&M web-based, software tool is intended for educational use; the insurance tool features will work through the 2018 crop year.  The output uses 500 pseudo random possibilities and involves statistical probability analysis of future outcomes.  A new crop insurance tool integrated into the decision-aid model will be of interest to all users. 

The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration and refreshments starting at 8:15 a.m. at the new NIC auditorium.  The $30 registration fee includes the noon meal, refreshments, and meeting materials.

As a result of attending this hands-on meeting, workshop participants will have a much better understanding of the economic implications and complex decisions of updating yields, keeping the old base or reallocation of base, choosing ARC-I, ARC-CO, PLC or PLC plus SCO.  Nebraska farm examples will be used. In the afternoon Nebraska Extension teaching assistants will answer individual's questions.
 
Information needed to use the Decision Aid tool includes: the August 2014 Farm Service Agency (FSA) letter or FSA 156EZ or similar worksheet from FSA and a 10-year crop insurance production report history worksheet from your insurance agent.

For more information, contact Extension Educator Randy Pryor at 402-821-2151 or rpryor1@unl.edu. Further meeting details and agenda are at http://bit.ly/1wh96bm