Trends and Opportunities in Agriculture An Executive Interview with Lowell Catlett

Agriculture will change more in the next decade than it did in the last century. Lowell Catlett is a futurist sharing his knowledge and insight on the new trends and technologies shaping the future of agriculture and how those working in this sector can take advantage of new opportunities.innovation, communication, opportunity, technology, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, Q10, Q16,

Global Supply Chain: An Executive Interview with Mary Shelman

Mary Shelman discusses forces driving higher food prices and some of the changes which are impacting the global food supply chain. Shelman coordinates Harvard Business School’s premier Agribusiness Seminar attended annually by more than 200 CEOs and top managers from global firms. She also organizes and teaches similar programs in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Her research focuses on the forces shaping global agribusiness. Her experience bridges academia, as an author and teacher of dozens of case studies on strategic change and challenges in global agribusiness firms, with industry experience.global food supply chain, food prices, markets, Agribusiness, Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing, Q10, Q11, Q13,

Managing Global Climate Change An Executive Interview with Carole Brookins

Carole Brookins is an international consultant known for her work as a policy and trade strategist on issues concerning the global political economy and its effect on the food and agriculture sector. She currently serves on the board of several corporate and non- profit organizations concerned with global food system issues and is currently helping to develop solutions which can offset the effects of global climate change through the reduction and management of carbon emissions—an issue of increasing importance in future food marketing and world trade. This interview was conducted by Doug Jose is a Professor and Extension Farm Management Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and host of the Market Journal, a weekly televised program on agriculture. This interview occurred during the 18th Annual World Forum and Symposium in Monterey, California, in June, 2008.global climate change, food marketing, Carbon Exchange Market, transportation, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q10, Q13, Q16,

The Evolution and Expansion of Risk Management Education Programs in the United States

A rapidly changing business environment has dictated a need for farmers to improve their risk management skills. The 1996 Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act (FAIR) also created a new environment for American farmers by eliminating planting restrictions and deficiency payments. Congress recognized the changing environment by mandating the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate a risk management education program. A memorandum of understanding specified the responsibilities of the federal agencies involved in risk management services and education. A work group representing all public and private organizations concerned with risk management services and strategies was convened. The work group established a set of objectives, the five major areas of risk to address and an overall educational plan. Five regional extension coordinating offices were established to coordinate activities with federal agencies and the private sector and to distribute funding for extension based educational programs. The initiative originally received funding of $5M in 1997. In 2000, the Agricultural Risk Protection Act, which primarily revised the crop insurance program, provided an additional$5M for risk management education for the 2001 fiscal year and the succeeding four years. The initiative has provided an impetus to look a risk management in a broad and comprehensive manner. This has resulted in the development of very creative and innovative programs, in terms of materials and methods of delivery. The working partnerships between public and private sector organizations have been a key to the success of the programs.Farm Management, Risk and Uncertainty, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Determining Educational Needs: A Focus Group Approach

The first step in planning and delivering a successful program is to identify the needs and interests of the target audience. The North Central Risk Management Education Center, which provides grants for educational programs for producers in the 12 north central states in the US, conducted a series of focus groups with producers. The goals of the focus groups were to: 1) determine the impact of funded programs; 2) assess risk management education needs of producers; 3) assess preferred delivery methods; and 4) determine program characteristics that will enhance participation. The participants had an average age of 45 which is about 12 years younger than the average age of all farmers. With 1,861 acres of owned and rented land, they had slightly larger operations than the average producer. Labor availability and management was the most common educational concern. Marketing of traditional commodities continues to be a high priority. Related priorities were developing value-added businesses and developing niche markets for new products and farm-related services. Associated concerns were liability insurance needs, reliable supply of needed inputs and government regulations involved in new enterprises. In terms of disseminating information on education programs, direct mail delivery is preferred as email may not be checked regularly in busy periods. Mailings should be directed to both husbands and wives. Program fees are not only acceptable but are viewed as an indicator of quality and credible information.focus groups, risk management, education needs, labor, marketing, human risk, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

EC 85-872 Estimated Crop and Livestock Production Costs Nebraska

Extension Circular 85-872: Estimated crop and livestock production costs. The crop and livestock budgets in this publication are intended for use by farmers, lenders and farm advisors in formulating and evaluating production and financial plans for 1985

September 11th and Agricultural Trade

September 11th caused us to think about our place in the world community, the freedoms we take for granted and the lifestyle we have enjoyed, particularly in the buoyant economic times in the post World War II period. But we may not have brought the impact on agriculture into our reflections of the September 11th events, and how we interact in this world community. Trade is essential to the U.S. agricultural sector, with earnings from U.S. exports accounting for 20 to 30 percent of total farm income. The productivity of U.S. agriculture has grown faster than our domestic demand, requiring export markets to sustain prices and revenues. The chart at the top of the next page shows the value of agricultural exports as a percent of gross cash farm income. It has grown from a low of about 5 percent in the mid-60s to a projection of over 25 percent in the next decade. The value of our agricultural exports was $51 billion for the year ending Sept 30, 2000. It is estimated at$53.5 billion for fiscal 2001 and projected at $57 billion in 2002

Crop Selection and The Potential of Drought

Three years ago I wrote an article in Cornhusker Economics on the possibly of the dry conditions in 1999 continuing into the 2000 crop year. I commented that we had not dealt with a serious drought in Nebraska for many years. I hope that was not an omen, or a curse, but we have been dealing with moisture shortfalls ever since. The state average yield for dryland corn was 84 bushels per acre in 2000. In 2002 timely rains, at least for non-irrigated corn, were only a mirage resulting in a state average yield of 60 bushels per acre

Crop Selection and The Potential of Drought

Three years ago I wrote an article in Cornhusker Economics on the possibly of the dry conditions in 1999 continuing into the 2000 crop year. I commented that we had not dealt with a serious drought in Nebraska for many years. I hope that was not an omen, or a curse, but we have been dealing with moisture shortfalls ever since. The state average yield for dryland corn was 84 bushels per acre in 2000. In 2002 timely rains, at least for non-irrigated corn, were only a mirage resulting in a state average yield of 60 bushels per acre

Dairy Economics in 2004

After more than two years of overall depressed milk prices, there is a brighter light on the horizon for dairy producers. September Class III milk futures closed at $15.69 on March 5. The February Class III price of$11.89 is the highest February price since 1998. The graph on the next page shows the current futures projections for 2004 compared to the Class III price for the last two years. It shows prices averaging more than $4 per cwt. higher than 2003 over the next 5 to 6 months