Oct. 31, 2014
The 10th annual Cornhusker Economics Outlook meeting series will be held at five locations across the state in November and will focus on ag outlook and management decisions for farmers and ranchers. The annual meeting series is offered by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics and is available free to participants with the support of Great Western Bank along with several local sponsors.
The outlook meetings are scheduled for a concise, fast-paced discussion of this year's crop, livestock, policy, and financial outlooks. Speakers and topics will be:
- Kate Brooks, extension livestock economist at UNL will provide outlook and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. Brook's expertise is in market analysis and production economics. She recently led a study of livestock industry trends in Nebraska and opportunities for growth. She will discuss the excitement and uncertainty in the livestock market as well as supply and demand issues affecting beef and pork production and marketing decisions.
- Cory Walters, extension crop economist at UNL, will provide outlook and analysis for corn, soybean, and wheat producers. Walter's expertise is in crop marketing and risk management, with substantial research on crop marketing and crop insurance strategies and decisions. He will discuss the current price environment, crop insurance, and supply and demand factors influencing next year's prices.
- Brad Lubben, extension policy specialist at UNL, will provide perspectives on how to navigate choices in the new farm bill. Lubben will discuss whether to sign up for ARC or PLC and whether this is the only policy issue worth worrying about. He will discuss other farm program decisions and ag policy issues impacting producers in the year ahead.
- Tina Barrett, director, Nebraska Farm Business Inc. and agricultural economics instructor, will discuss the financial situation facing Nebraska farmers and ranchers. Specifically, Barrett will discuss managing cost of production through a time of "minimizing losses" rather than "maximizing profits" for crop farmers and lessons to be learned from extreme profitability for livestock producers.
This outlook agenda is packaged into a 2 ½ hour format to provide producers the best available information and send them home ready to make 2015 management and marketing decisions.
Contact the local Extension office and educator to register for the meetings. Although there is no cost to participants, pre-registration is encouraged to plan for facilities, refreshments, and materials.
Locations, Dates, Times, and Local Contacts
Beatrice
Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.– Noon CST, Gage County Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg
Contact: Paul Hay, UNL Extension Educator, Gage County, 402-223-1384, paul.hay@unl.edu
Columbus
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. – Noon CST, Central Community College, 205 West Education Center
Contact: Al Vyhnalek, UNL Extension Educator, Platte County, 402-563-4901, avyhnalek@unl.edu
Gering
Monday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m. – Noon MST, Gering Civic Center
Contact: Jessica Johnson, UNL Extension Educator, 308-632-1247, jjohnson@unl.edu
Curtis
Monday, Nov. 24, 5 – 8 p.m. CST, Nebraska Ag Education Center Auditorium
Contact: Paul Clark, Assistant Professor, UNL Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, 308-367-5275, pclark4@unl.edu
Hastings
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 9 a.m. – Noon CST, Adams County Fairgrounds
Contact: Ron Seymour, UNL Extension Educator, Adams County, 402-461-7209, ron.seymour@unl.edu
More information about the meetings is available on Cornhusker Economics Outlook website, the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics website, or by contacting Lubben at 402-472-2235. Register by contacting the local Extension office listed for each location.
