Learning How Markets And Weather Impact The Mahaska Bottom Line
Dr. Dennis Todey, State and Extension Climatologist, South Dakota State University, talks about weather forecasting to area farmers and business representatives at Nelson Pioneer Farm on Wednesday.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Farming today is more complicated than ever, and keeping up with the ever changing markets is key to a farms bottom line. Approximately 20 area farmers and ag related business leaders join in a seminar led by the Iowa State University Extension Office.
Bob Wells, Agricultural Economics and Farm Management Representative with the Mahaska County Extension Office, explained that the day’s meeting was an opportunity for farmers to get “a different perspective than what we normally have in our outlook meetings around the state, and in this area”.
These types of meetings usually feature a representative from Iowa State University, but Wednesday’s seminar featured Dr. Dennis Todey and Don Roose.
Dr. Todey gave an in-depth look at further understanding weather, and how certain patters show, over time, an increase or decrease in a specific area.
An example of one of those areas is the increase in moisture the state is receiving over its historical levels. This type of understanding prompted a participant to ask if the corn belt is moving north. Tobey said that the trend is showing that indeed the corn belt is moving north.
This kind of information allows area farmers to do some long range planning and incorporate those ideas into their farm and to know when they may want to sell some crops.
Those good marketing decisions lead to profitable farms, that in turn help to lead to a more financially viable community. “Every dollars worth of corn that’s sold will equal about three and a half dollars worth of economic activity here in Mahaska County. That allows us to pay our taxes, build our infrastructure, give us fire and police protection. So it makes it a much lower cost in general to the public when we have a good farm income.”
Wells added that these types are forums happen about every three to four months. If you would like to know more about attending one of these meetings, you can contact Wells at wellsjb@iastate.edu or by phone at (641) 673-5841.
