Fort Dodge Messenger, IA
11-04-06
Farm News Ag Show to feature ag growth
Annual show set for Nov. 30, Dec. 1 in Fort Dodge
By Randy Mudgett
Messenger staff writer
FORT DODGE — Ethanol and its impact on current farming practices plus its
potential impact on the future of agriculture will be the focus of conversation at
the fifth annual Farm News Ag Show at the Career Education Building on the
campus of Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
Featured speakers for the event are Jill Euken, a field specialist from the Iowa
Energy Center, Kelvin Leibold, an Iowa State University Extension farm
management specialist, and Michael Swanson, senior agricultural economist
from Wells Fargo Bank. Euken’s presentation features the renewable energy
sector and the opportunities that have been created now plus a look into the
future of renewable energy.
‘‘I want to talk about the whole scope of the technologies that exist and will exist
soon,’’ Euken said. ‘‘The renewable energy sector is now just beginning as future
plants will utilize more technology to create a number of processes that maximize
energy and biobased products.’’
Euken’s presentation is titled ‘‘Renewable Energy Opportunities and Risks’’ and
will take place at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 30.
Leibold’s presentation titled ‘‘Grain Markets and Grain Storage’’ will break down
the costs and feasibilities for producers who are contemplating building additional
grain storage on their farms. Leibold said with the expansion of ethanol in Iowa
the last few years, the ability to store and hold grain in and around ethanol
facilities who tend to pay a premium for quality corn is a growing concern.
‘‘The question that I want to help producers answer is it logical to add more grain
storage?’’ Leibold said. ‘‘There are islands forming now in Iowa where the price
of corn is higher in some areas than it is in others. I hope to go through the
numbers with producers and try to give them an answer on the feasibility of
building new grain bins.’’
Leibold’s presentation takes place at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in the conference room
adjoining the show floor.
On a more current note, Swanson will present his approach to current grain
market conditions when he speaks at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1 during the ag show.
Swanson said many producers have always tried to outguess the markets, and
he will speak about the logic involved in having a successful grain marketing
plan.
‘‘Often, I deal with individuals who are either scared to sell or too greedy to sell,’’
Swanson said. ‘‘I will talk about the logic in using historical markets to play the
odds when it comes to developing a marketing plan that works for the individual
farmer.’’
Swanson said the recent upswing in corn prices is a perfect example of farmers
trying to outguess the markets. With prices approaching historical highs, many
farmers are still indecisive when it comes to forecasting the market.
‘‘We must stop this process of producers trying to outguess the market,’’
Swanson said. ‘‘We’ve done a terrible job of educating producers on existing
models like crop insurance that can work to the benefit of producers and reduce
their risk. I will also present an analytical approach to selling grain on the
market.’’
Show highlights
Besides the educational aspects of the fifth annual Farm News Ag Show,
attendees will be entertained and fed well at the same time. On Dec. 1, Chris
Cakes of Rolfe will be serving free pancakes from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. as the
specialty pancake flipping exhibition is both entertaining and delicious. It is
sponsored in part by Hagie Manufacturing of Clarion.
Lunch menu will be available each day of the show, provided by the Webster
County Pork Producers Nov. 30 and the Webster County Beef Producers on
Dec. 1. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. both days by the Fort
Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Relations Task Force.
The fifth annual Farm News Ag Show exhibitor hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nov. 30 and from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1.
As an added bonus, Farm News and Donelson Distributing of Ogden are giving
away a corn burning fireplace valued at $3,690 to one registered guest of the
show.
More than 50 exhibitors on the ag show floor will be on hand to speak with
producers about new products, services and technological advances in
agriculture today.
Farm News Ag Show partners include Hagie Manufacturing, VeraSun Fort
Dodge, Frontier Ethanol, Bank of America, Iowa State University Extension, the
Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce Ag Relations Task Force, Iowa Central
Community College, the Webster County Pork Producers and the Webster
County Beef Producers.
Section: Business
Posted: 11/5/2006