The Free seminar series presented by Hoosier Ag Today at the Indiana/Illinois Farm Equipment Show will focus on Pinching Pennies and Boosting Yields. The seminars will be part of the farm show December 15-17 in the West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. “With Indiana farmers facing tighter profit margins and serious financial challenges in 2016, we wanted to put information in their hands that will go right to the bottom line,” said Gary Truitt, President of Hoosier Ag Today.
On Tuesday, December 15, the seminar will cover financial issues, cash rent negotiations, and marketing options. Vince Bailey from Farm Credit Services will discuss how producers can work with their lenders to cover operating costs, restructure loan arrangements, and protect themselves from rising interest rates. Gerald Harrison with the Purdue agricultural economics department will present ideas on how to renegotiate cash rent agreements. Harrison heads the Purdue Extension Land Lease Team which is working with farmers to adjust land lease and cash rent agreements to better reflect the lower prices of corn and soybeans. Mike Silver from Kokomo Grain will round out the seminar by presenting marketing as well as grain storage and management options for 2016. Most Indiana farmers put their 2015 crop in the bin waiting for better prices. Silver will discuss strategies for moving that crop into the market in 2016.
The Wednesday seminar will feature the always popular, market outlook presentation by Purdue Ag Economist Dr. Chris Hurt. In addition to Dr. Hurt’s outlook on market and economic conditions in 2016, Hoosier Ag Today chief meteorologist Ryan Martin will present a program on weather trends for the upcoming growing season and the impact El Niño will have on the Midwest. After the record-setting rain of 2015, farmers will be very interested in what may be in store for 2016. Martin will show what the long-range models are indicating for the 2016 growing season as well as discussing the outlook for weather in South America that will influence their corn and soybean production.
Thursday will feature a hands-on seminar on the use of technical tools in the futures market. Jim Riley of Riley Trading will teach those in attendance how to use the free charting and technical tools that are available on the Hoosier Ag Today market page. These tools can lead to a more profitable futures trading strategy.
All seminar programs begin at 11am in the seminar area on the west side of the farm show exhibit floor. Each seminar will feature a market update from Hoosier Ag Today’s Andy Eubank and the opportunity to win door prizes. This is the 37th year for the annual farm show which draws thousands of farmers from across the state and the Midwest.