McGEHEE – With farming overshadowed by uncertainty over El Nino, the Farm Bill and reactive markets, crop producers in the South need to have as many tools as possible to manage risk in the next growing season, officials say.
Producers can pick up valuable risk management information at Farm Outlook 2013, set for Nov. 6 at the Men’s Club community center at McGehee.
The meeting is being sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service offices in Chicot, Drew and Desha counties and the Arkansas Farm Bureau.
“After a year of drought and uncertainties over the Farm Bill and how crop insurance might be affected, we wanted to bring as much expertise to our growers as possible,” said Gus Wilson, Chicot County Extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
On the program are Kathy Ferguson of Ferguson Crop insurance, Scott Stiles, extension economist discussing the overview of the projected costs for the 2013 crop; Gene Martin, senior market analyst with the Arkansas Farm Bureau offering the commodity market outlook for next year; and David Bridgeforth, attorney with RamsayBridgforth Law Firm and an expert on Farm Bill legislation.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The program begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration and lunch will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to RSVP for a lunch count before Nov. 6
“We hope producers in southeast Arkansas will take advantage of this opportunity to help them prepare for 2013,” said Wes Kirkpatrick, Desha County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
For more information, contact:
• Wes Kirkpatrick, Desha County extension staff chair: 870-222-3972
• Chuck Capps, Drew County extension staff chair: 870-460-6270
• Gus Wilson, Chicot County extension staff chair: 870-265-8055
For more information about crop production, contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.edu or arkansascrops.com.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
•
Mary Hightower is an Extension communications specialist with the U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.