Cropland Value, Cash Rent and Budget Questions Answered at Farm Science Review

LONDON, Ohio – While cropland values in Ohio increased significantly in 2012 and are expected to continue an upward trend in 2013, lower crop prices are making it uncertain if the region will see the same level of increases, an expert from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) said.

Barry Ward, an Ohio State University Extension production business management leader, will discuss his latest findings during this year’s Farm Science Review Sept. 17-19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, during “Question the Authorities” question-and-answer sessions offered daily at the Review. 

Ward will field questions about farmland cash rent and values during “Land Values and Rents” Sept. 17 at 9 a.m., Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. and Sept. 19 at 9:40 a.m. at the Review.

He will also answer questions regarding budgets and crop inputs during his presentation “Crop Input Cost and Budgets” Sept. 17 at noon, Sept. 18 at 9:20 a.m. and Sept. 19 at 10:20 a.m.

The sessions, which typically draw anywhere from a handful of participants to some 60 people, Ward said, are a good opportunity for farmers and growers to ask questions ranging from general inquiries to specific scenarios.

“Questions regarding expectations for rent levels always come up, as that’s problem No. 1 -- where do we expect to see rents go as farmers start negotiations?” he said. “Also flexible cash leases, the mechanics of how the leases are done, the legality of leases and contracts in general are on farmers' minds.”

Participants sometimes will bring their own leases to have someone weigh in on some legal issues, questioning if the language is legal and if the contract will work, Ward said.

“We’ll provide an industry perspective, looking at the current events that are impacting the marketplace and how they are affecting input costs and our outlook for those specific costs,” he said.

Other topics to be discussed during the Question the Authorities sessions include:           

• Food Law: Cottage and Home Baking.
• Farm Bill and Related Policy.
• Shale Gas Legal Issues: Pipelines and Water.
• Farm Fuel and Oil Spill Plans.
• Grain Markets.
• Opportunities in Berry Production.

Also, again this year, faculty members from Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine are taking an expanded role in the Question the Authorities sessions, offering topics that may be of interest to livestock producers, said Melissa Weber, spokeswoman for the college.

Faculty and staff representatives also will be on hand in the College of Veterinary Medicine tent next to the Question the Authorities area answering questions on any topics involving veterinary medicine.

New this year is a display featuring research conducted during the summer by veterinary student Brad Ryan on the spread of Q-fever, “Community Approach to Preventing Abortion in Ruminants.”  

Some topics for those presentations include: 

• Applying to veterinary school
• The Rural/Farm Veterinary Shortage.
• Raw Milk.
• Preventing Rabies.
• Can Your Animals Make You Sick?
• Agricultural Fairs: Pigs, Flu and You.
• Animal Antibiotic Use and Resistance.
• West Nile Virus.

The Question the Authorities sessions will take place in the Ohio State Area in the center of the main Farm Science Review exhibit area. 

The sessions are just a sampling of some of the topics and issues participants can expect to learn about during the three-day farm trade show that annually draws more than 130,000 farmers, growers, producers and agricultural enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada. 

Sponsored by CFAES, the Review features educational workshops, presentations, demonstrations and educational opportunities delivered by experts from OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, which are the outreach and research arms, respectively, of the college. 

Participants can peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and capitalize on educational opportunities from Ohio State and Purdue University specialists. 

Farm Science Review pre-show tickets are $7 at all OSU Extension county offices, many local agribusinesses, and also online at http://fsr.osu.edu/visitors/tickets. Tickets are $10 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17–18 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19.