OSU Extension, Darke County will be offering several education opportunities in the next few months to help provide you with information to help you with the lower grain prices in 2014.
Grain Marketing
Growers, who want to experience grain marketing using real-world strategies without any of the real-world risks, can take advantage of a series of courses taught by Dr. Matt Roberts from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Participants will learn how to use futures and options; make a marketing plan to fit their farm business; use crop insurance as a grain marketing tool; and how to understand financial statement analysis in relationship to their grain marketing plan.
The courses, to be offered Jan. 7 and 21; Feb.4 and 18; and March 4, will be taught online and will offer participants the ability to experience grain marketing simulations using marketing options commonly used in grain marketing without the risk of actually taking a position on real bushels. The series of online courses enables farmers to log in from the comfort of their home office allowing more people access to the courses.
Using the Commodity Challenge, a program managed by the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, growers will participate in a grain marketing simulation exercise that allows use of all the marketing options used in grain marketing without the risk of actually taking a position on real bushels. The online-trading simulation features real-time cash, futures and options quotes for corn, soybeans and wheat from local markets here in Ohio. Participants can use basis contracts, puts, calls, and can sell cash on the market, basically all of the tools we have in real life without any of the real risk of marketing real bushels.
Additionally, Darke County participants will be offered supplemental meetings to further enhance the grain marketing course and assist with questions participants might have.
Corn, Soybean and Wheat Connection
The OSU Extension Agronomics team is providing a three part series for producers looking maximize yields while considering agronomic practices and inputs. You can be part of this opportunity by registering and attending in the Learning Center at OSU, Darke County on Wagner Avenue. The dates, times and presenters are as follows:
January 14th Corn Production 7:00-8:30 pm
Optimizing Corn Yields-Assessing the Contribution of Key Agronomic Management Factors
Dr. Peter Thomison, State Specialist Corn Production, Ohio State University Extension
Seed Treatments in Corn: Impacts on Pests and Pollinators
Dr. Andy Michel, State Specialist Field Crops Entomology, Ohio State University Extension
Dr. Reed Johnson, Entomologist Apiculture, The Ohio State University
February 11th Soybean Production 7:00-8:30 pm
Everything but the Kitchen Sink: High Input Soybean Production
Dr. Laura Lindsey, State Specialist Soybean & Small Grains Production, Ohio State University Extension
Updates on Fungicides and Resistance, Soybean Cyst Nematode and Seed Treatments
Dr. Anne Dorrance, State Specialist Plant Pathology Soybeans, Ohio State University Extension
February 25th Weed Control 10 am-Noon (Recording will be available for use by 5 pm)
Update on New Herbicides/Recommendations, and Managing Herbicide Site of Action
Dr. Mark Loux, State Specialist Weed Management, Ohio State University Extension
Farmland Leasing Workshop
On January 15 OSU Extension, Darke County will be hosting a farmland leasing workshop at Franklin Monroe Schools. OSU Asst. Professors, Peggy Hall and Barry Ward will be the main presenters. Topics to be covered will be:
- From flex to cash rent: farmland leasing options
- Factors affecting leasing options and rates
- Evaluating cash rent survey data
- Legal issues in farmland leasing
- Analyzing good and bad leasing practices
- Developing a written lease for your farm
Forage Production School
OSU Researchers and OSU Extension Specialists and Educators will present cutting edge information on what is new in forage production with live interaction between all program sites. Instructors will be divided among the program locations. There will be time for discussion on each topic after it is presented. Classes will be held January 30, February 4 and 11 from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m.
To register for these high caliber educational offerings from The Ohio State University you can download flyers from www.darke.osu.edu website or contact your OSU Extension, Darke County office at 937.548.5215.