Cornhusker Economics outlook meetings to address farm and ranch issues

November 5, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. — The 2015 Cornhusker Economics Outlook meeting series will focus on ag outlook and management decisions for Nebraska farmers and ranchers at six locations across the state from Nov.17-24. The annual series is offered by Nebraska Extension and the University of Nebraska—Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics. The meetings are free to participants thanks to the support of Great Western Bank along with local meeting sponsors.

"With price and income prospects changing substantially during 2015, producers are looking closely at production, marketing and financial decisions to manage successfully in this changing environment," said Brad Lubben, Nebraska Extension policy specialist and series organizer. "Our annual outlook series provides the right information at the right time to help producers analyze and make management decisions today to prepare and position operations for the year ahead."

The meetings are structured for a concise, fastpaced discussion of crop, livestock, policy and financial outlook with attention to production, management and marketing decisions for 2016.

Kate Brooks, Extension livestock economist at UNL, will provide outlook and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. Brooks will discuss emerging livestock market fundamentals, meat supplies and meat demand to assess producer profit potential and sound marketing and production decisions in 2016.

Cory Walters, Extension crop economist at UNL, will discuss the crop outlook and implications for producers. Walters will talk about the current price environment and market outlook for Nebraska crop producers and the implications for production, marketing and risk-management decisions in the year ahead.

Brad Lubben, Extension policy specialist at UNL, will discuss the ag policy outlook. Beyond the current policy environment in Washington, Lubben will focus on the role of the farm income safety net and the projected support from farm programs and crop insurance for cash flow planning and risk-management decision-making.

Tina Barrett, director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., will discuss the farm financial outlook and financial management decisions ahead for producers. Building on data from hundreds of farm cooperators in NFBI, Barrett will focus on the current financial position and trends for Nebraska agriculture and the financial management challenges and decisions facing producers, with a focus on budgeting and cost control.

Jay Parsons, Extension economist at UNL, will discuss farm and ranch risk-management issues and decisions. Parsons will draw on his expertise in risk management to incorporate the marketing, production, policy and financial discussion into risk-management decisions and strategies for producers for 2016. 

For more information on the outlook meetings, visit http://agecon.unl.edu/ceo. Register by contacting the local extension office or extension educator listed for each location. Although there is no cost to participants, preregistration is encouraged to plan for facilities, refreshments and materials.

Meeting locations are:

• York, Nov. 17, 1-4 p.m., Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave., York, NE 68467; contacts: Gary Zoubek, York County Extension, 402-362-5508 or gzoubek1@unl.edu; or Brandy VanDeWalle, Fillmore County Extension, 402-759-3712 or bvandewalle2@unl.edu.
• Bridgeport, Nov. 18, 9 a.m-noon, Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 Main St., Bridgeport, NE 69336; contact: Jessica Groskopf, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 308-632-1247 or jjohnson@unl.edu.
• McCook, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, McCook Christian Church, 507 West B St., McCook, NE 69001; contact: Robert Tigner, Red Willow County Extension, 308-345-3390 or rtigner2@unl.edu.
• Kearney, Nov. 19, 1-4 p.m., Buffalo County Fairgrounds in conjunction with the Gateway Farm Expo, 3807 Ave. N, Kearney, NE 68847; contact: Brent Plugge, Kearney County Extension, 308-236-1235 or bplugge1@unl.edu. Further information on Gateway Farm Expo is available at http://www.gatewayfarmexpo.org.
• Nebraska City, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-noon, Kimmel Education and Research Center, 5985 G Road, Nebraska City, NE 68410; contact: Monte Vandeveer, Otoe County Extension, 402-269-2301 or mvandeveer2@unl.edu.
• Wayne, Nov. 24, 9 a.m.-noon, Wayne Fire Hall, 510 Tomar Drive, Wayne, NE 68787; contacts: Tim Lemmons, Northeast Research and Extension Center, 402-370-4061 or tlemmons2@unl.edu; Jim Jansen, Cedar County Extension, 402-254-6821 or jjansen4@unl.edu.