This week's Market Journal features a story on why it's important to have good health services and schools to attract new businesses and industries to a community.

Gerald Doeksen, Oklahoma State University extension economist, says health services also are an economic development tool, accounting for 10-15 percent of the employment base in a community. Doeksen says it takes a concerted community effort to recruit and retain health services and professionals.

Also on this week's program:

• Grain Market Analysis — Paul Burgener, UNL Ag Economics Research Analyst
• Soybean Nematodes More Widespread Than Thought -- Loren Giesler, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist
• Toolbox Tips -- Al Prosch, Nebr. Pork Central
• Weather—Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist

Coming up on the next Market Journal Dec. 1-3: After a relatively hot dry summer, the 2006 crop harvest exceeded expectations for many Nebraska farmers. It also sent some warning messages. Bob Klein, extension cropping systems specialist at the West Central REC, discusses the results of cropping decisions made this year and the implications for 2007.

Last week's Market Journal covered how renewable energy sources like bioenergy, wind and solar may provide a balance in years when interrupted energy supplies spike price increases. Improving energy use efficiency also can be a factor. Zero energy buildings are now feasible.

While the incidence of crop insurance fraud is less than 1%, investigations have a high rate of return – for $23 million spent to detect crop insurance fraud, $450 was returned. Bert Little, associate vice president for academic research and grants at Tarleton State University spoke recently at a Nebraska crop insurance conference. He said the key to identifying fraud in the crop insurance program is comparing anomalies in policy holder claims with the experience of their peers.

Also on last week’s Market Journal:

• Grain market analysis — Todd Gerdes, Aurora Farmers Cooperative;
• November crop report and the outlook for corn and soybeans — Roy Smith, private consultant;
• Crop insurance — Art Barnaby, Ag Economist, Kansas State University;
• Market Journal Toolbox — Darrel Mark, UNL Extension Marketing Specialist; and
• Weather — Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist.

Market Journal is broadcast Fridays at 12:30 p.m. on DishNetwork NAUHS 9411, Saturdays at 7 a.m. on NET1 and Sundays at 9 a.m. on NETV2 (all times central). Visit the Market Journal Web site at marketjournal.unl.edu to watch current or previous programs.

Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.

Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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