The Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture will present a free, seminar called “Managing Your Farm in an Economic Downturn” during the Indiana/Illinois Farm Show and as an interactive webinar the following day. Discussion will focus on strategies for coping with declining crop farm revenues, said Jim Mintert, director of the center. On Wednesday, December 17 at 11am Minnert, along with Extension economist Dr. Chris Hurt, will present a program hosted by Hoosier Ag Today at the farm show being held in the West Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. “Global supplies of corn, wheat and soybeans have all increased substantially the last several years. The rebound in supplies means crop prices over the next several years are expected to average well below levels that we observed from 2007 through 2013,” Mintert said. “It is very important for individual crop farmers to have a management plan to help them successfully navigate these challenging times in crop agriculture.”
On December 18, the program will be presented as an on-line webinar. The webinar is set for 9-10 am EST. Topics to be covered during the program include an updated outlook for 2015 and key management strategies to consider for the upcoming year. “During the online discussion, viewers will also have a chance to pose questions to the panelists via email,” Mintert said. During the webinar Dr. Michael Boehlje will join Minnert and Hurt.
To register for the webinar or for more information, visit the Center for Commercial Agriculture website at https://www.agecon.purdue.edu/commercialag/. Those who register for the webinar will receive an email with a link to view the webinar and will also receive notice when the recorded version of the webinar is posted on Purdue Extension’s YouTube channel.
For the 9th consecutive year, Hoosier Ag Today will present seminars at the Indiana/Illinois Farm Show . Other Seminars to be held during the show include a seminar that will focus on new technology and how to best apply it to a farming operation. Jim Love, a Boone County farmer and noted authority on the application of drones and robotics in farming operations , will present a program showcasing the latest technology and discussing how to put it to work to increase productivity. Also on the program will be Jim Shertzer, with FARMserver, a division of Beck’s Hybrids. He will discuss issues growers need to consider before sharing their farm data and how best to evaluate the many different data analysis services now available in the marketplace. Todd Janzen, attorney at Plews Shadley Racher and Braun, will be on hand to advise farmers on how to use drones and not get fined by the FAA and to discuss some of the legal and privacy issues surround the use of farm data.
On Thursday, December 18, the focus will be on market strategy. Jim Riley, with Riley Trading of Brookston, IN, will lay out some options for marketing the 2014 and 2015 crops. Representatives from EFG group in Chicago will add the perspective of the futures market, while Mike Silver of Kokomo grain will discuss the Indiana cash grain and bases market.
All seminars begin at 11am and will be hosted by Hoosier Ag Today broadcasters Gary Truitt, Andy Eubank, and Cayla McLeland. Again for 2014, the seminars are sponsored by Sikich, a leading accounting, advisory, technology and managed services firm. Door prizes will also be awarded.
