Cornhusker Economics Outlook

John Wilson

Cornhusker Economics Outlook – Don’t Miss It!

The ninth annual Cornhusker Economics Outlook meetings will focus on the current ag outlook and management decisions for farmers. The meetings will be held at nine locations across the state, but the closest session will be in West Point on Thursday, March 6, from 9:00 to  11:30 a.m. at the Nielsen Community Center.

The meetings are a concise, fast-paced discussion of crop, livestock, policy and land outlooks for 2014. They are sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics with support from the Nebraska Corn Board, the Great Western Bank, and local sponsors. Topics and presenters at this years meetings include:

Kate Brooks, UNL extension livestock economist, will provide a current status of the industry and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. Brooks, whose expertise is in market analysis and production economics, recently led a study of livestock industry trends in Nebraska. She will interpret emerging livestock market fundamentals, meat supplies, and meat demand to assess producer profit potential and sound marketing and production decisions in 2014.

Cory Walters, a new UNL extension crop economist, will address crop marketing and risk management, using his substantial research on crop marketing and crop insurance strategies and decisions. Walters brings experience from both Kentucky and a farm background in Montana to his new role in Nebraska. He will discuss the outlook for corn, soybeans, and wheat to help producers make sound production, marketing, and risk management decisions.

Brad Lubben, UNL extension policy specialist at UNL, will provide perspectives on the policy environment in Washington and the long-awaited farm bill. With Congressional efforts in January and early February, producers will finally be able to focus on farm program decisions rather than continuing deliberations. Lubben will discuss the policy outlook and program alternatives to help producers effectively combine farm programs, crop insurance, and marketing strategies for success.

And finally, Al Vyhnalek, extension educator in Platte County, will provide additional information on current land and leasing economics. With declining crop prices and profitability projections for 2014 and land and rental prices still high, producers will need to push an even sharper pencil on land and leasing decisions and production plans.

For more information on the Cornhusker Economics Outlook meetings, contact your local UNL Extension office.

Emerald Ash Borer Update

Emerald ash borer has been in the news for several years and likely is the next insect that will lead to large numbers of landscape trees dying. This borer has been in the news long enough- people are asking if they should treat their ash trees. The recommendation of UNL Extension and the Nebraska Forest Service is to wait until emerald ash borer has been found 15 miles from a location before treating an ash tree.

Emerald ash borer has not yet been found in Nebraska. It has been confirmed in Iowa, 80 miles east of Plattsmouth NE, and in Boulder, Colorado. While it may be tempting for homeowners to treat valuable ash trees, there is little benefit to treating too early. After a tree has emerald ash borer, treatment can still work.

If you have an ash tree you know you will treat when needed, now is the time to become familiar with treatment options. The Nebraska Forest Service has a good guide for homeowners. Go to the forest service website (http://nfs.unl.edu/eab) or call your local UNL Extension office.