Illinois Farm Economics Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2009

The roller coaster ride continued this past year for Illinois agriculture. To assist producers in navigating these challenges, a series of five meetings are scheduled across Illinois in December sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. The theme of this year's 2009 Illinois Farm Economics Summit is "The Profitability of Illinois Agriculture: Profitability at a Crossroads."

"A major issue this past year was the impact of the sharpest world-wide recession since WWII," said Darrel Good, U of I professor of agricultural and consumer economics. "Combined with rising input prices, planting delays, and H1N1 fears, this was a year of tremendous uncertainty by any standard."

"Looking forward to 2010, there is the possibility of better times due to recovery in the general economy and some lessened pressures on input costs. However, this only emphasizes the need for sound economic information and analysis," explains Good.

Program speakers will explore the farm profitability outlook from several perspectives, including the direction of prices, outlook for farm returns, impact of speculation on farmer marketing decisions, climate change policy, farm programs and crop insurance, and implications of the economic crisis for agriculture. The format for the meetings will be fast-paced, but will allow plenty of time for questions from the audience.

Each session begins at 7:45 a.m. and concludes at 1:30 p.m. The registration fee is $50 per person and includes lunch, refreshments, and all meeting materials. Pre-registration deadline is Dec. 7. Registration at the door will be $65 per person as space permits.

Dates and locations are:

• December 14--Champaign, I Hotel and Conference Center
• December 15--Bloomington, Interstate Center
• December 16--Galesburg, Best Western Prairie Inn
• December 17--Rochelle, Hickory Grove Banquet and Conference Center
• December 18--Mt. Vernon, Holiday Inn

Registration may be completed online at http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/. Registration brochures are also available at local U of I Extension offices.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Sue Esposito at 217.333.5506.