Farm Management in Volatile Times Seminar Set

11/9/98

Contacts:
Robert Wisner, Economics, 515/294-6310
Susan Thompson, Agriculture Information, 515/294-0705

FARM MANAGEMENT IN VOLATILE TIMES

AMES, Iowa -- A day-long seminar Dec. 17, titled "Farm Management in Volatile Times," is designed to help farmers deal with low commodity prices, complex new risk management tools and grain marketing plans.

Iowa State University economists will conduct the seminar, which will be broadcast to 21 sites on the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). The program begins at 9 a.m. and adjourns at 3:30 p.m. There is a $15 fee.

Two workshop sessions will be held. A late morning session on the ICN will focus on various types of crop insurance, and how to use insurance for production and price risk management.

An afternoon workshop will be conducted locally by county and area extension personnel.

Participants will be divided into teams to work through a case study of a cash grain farm. Hand-held calculators are needed for the workshops.

Market prospects, an export update, price and weather outlooks, storage and marketing loan strategies, and a briefing on new crop insurance alternatives for 1999 will round out the seminar.

The program should be of special interest to farmers, crop insurance agents, lenders, commodity brokers, professional farm managers, crop consultants, elevator managers and others who work with farmers in areas related to risk management. Professional farm managers and crop insurance agents can earn continuing education credits.

To register, pick up a brochure at any county extension office, or call Carole Seifert at ISU Extended and Continuing Education, 515/294-1400.

There have been three site changes since the registration brochure was printed, with sites in Council Bluffs and Lake View added, plus a site in Sheldon cancelled and replaced by a site in Milford. A current listing for the Dec. 17 ICN broadcast follows:

Ames--Iowa State University, Lagomarcino Hall, N147

Algona--Iowa Lakes Community College, Highway 169N, Room 13

Carroll--National Guard, Highway 30, ICN Classroom

Cedar Falls--University of Northern Iowa, Schindler Education Center, Room 130C

Chariton --National Guard, 1415 Lucas Avenue, ICN Classroom

Council Bluffs--Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Rd., Looft Hall

Creston--Creston High School, 601 W. Townline Rd., Room 404

Fort Dodge--Federal Building (Post Office/SSA), 205 South 8th St., 2nd Floor

Iowa City--University of Iowa, North Hall, Room 107

Jefferson--National Guard, 1577 235th St., ICN Classroom

Johnston--Heartland AEA 11, 6500 Corporate Drive, ICN Classroom

Lake View--Wall-Lake View-Auburn High School, 801 Jackson St.