Pro-Ag Outlook workshop slated for Henry County

Policymakers, agriculture lenders, agriculture suppliers and producers all grow nervous when commodity prices, land values and input cost become volatile. The current decreases in commodity prices are going to make 2016 a challenging year. The livestock sector has been one of the bright spots in the agriculture economy, but that is trending down from 2014. Managing increased costs and decreasing margins is an area where today?s producer turns to their lender, input supplier, Extension, neighbor, and other agricultural business professionals for advice.

To gather the research based information you need to advise clients and make crucial agricultural decisions. Register to attend Iowa State University Extension?s 2015 Pro-Ag Outlook workshop at the Henry County Extension Office, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa on Friday, December 11, 2015. Dr. Chad Hart, ISU Extension Grain Marketing Specialist, will be discussing the supply and demand situation for grains and Dr. Lee Schulz, ISU Extension Livestock Economist, will be discussing supply and demand situations for livestock. Rebecca Vittetoe, Extension Agronomist and Charles Brown, Extension Farm Management Specialist, will discuss balancing economics with agronomics and managing profit margins.

This workshop will prepare participants to make those important production decisions this winter. Advance registration by Dec. 9 is required. To register call the Henry County Extension Office at 319-385-8126 or email eheaton@iastate.edu. There is a fee for the workshop. Registration includes workshop materials, breaks and breakfast. The meeting starts at 7:45 a.m., and the meeting concludes about 11 a.m.