Contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
BRYAN – Who will feed the growing U.S. population in the next 50 years? As the current generation of farmers and ranchers ages, the next generation must take over, according to organizers of two agricultural conferences scheduled for Bryan and Abilene.
Capital Farm Credit and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting two conferences designed to help the next generation of producers transition into the business or to help current farmers and ranchers expand their operations.The 2013 Next Generation Agricultural Conferences, scheduled May 23-24 at the Brazos County Expo in Bryan and July 18-19 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, are designed to provide production and financial management tools to farmers and ranchers.
“The main topics that will be covered include farm financial management, agricultural economic forecasts, general agriculture, farm planning and budgeting,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station and one of the presenters. “Keeping up with the latest operational strategies and available credit and risk management practices are the key to the most successful large and small operations. These conferences will assist with providing information that can be incorporated into their operations, making them more profitable.”
Cleere said the first day of the workshop will feature presentations on analyzing the performance of an operation, potential to expand an operation, purchasing or leasing equipment, operation diversity, and farm and ranch success stories.
“The second day will focus on the ag economy in the southern region and where we are heading,” he said. “Then the program will transition into developing a marketing plan for the farm and ranch, protecting your operation from volatile commodity markets and weather, new tax and estate laws, as well as programs on hay value, marketing and rebuilding the cow herd.”
Featured speakers from AgriLife Extension include Cleere, Dr. Ron Gill, beef cattle specialist, Dr. David Anderson, livestock economist; Dr. Mark Welch, grains economist; and Wayne Hayenga, economist – all from College Station. Other AgriLife Extension speakers will be Dr. Jason Banta, beef cattle specialist, Overton; and Dr. Stan Bevers, economist, Vernon.
Experts from Capital Farm Credit will include Barry Abel and Jason Fuchs. Brian Briggeman, Kansas State University agricultural economist, will be one of the featured speakers. He will provide an overview of the Southern Plains agricultural economy and provide some insight into where it is headed.
There is no cost for the conference if registered by May 20 or $50 after.
For more information about the conferences visit https://www.capitalfarmcredit.com/ or contact Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.
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