Ohio State Expert to Offer Grain Outlook during 2014 Farm Science Review

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With high corn, wheat and soybean yields anticipated this year due to exceptional summer growing conditions, 2014 looks to be a record year for crop production, according to an economist with Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.  

“There is little doubt that 2014 corn and soybean yields will break records. The main question is by how much,” said Matt Roberts, an Ohio State University Extension economist. “With the big yields and record harvests, prices have really fallen since planting. That has people’s attention, both for the 2014 crop, but also in thinking about what this means for 2015.”

Roberts will discuss his latest research related to the grain market and crop prices during this year’s Farm Science Review Sept. 16-18 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio. Roberts will participate in the Review’s “Question the Authorities” question-and-answer sessions offered daily at the three-day agricultural trade show. 

Roberts will answer questions at 9 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 16 and 9:40 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 17. The 15- to 20-minute sessions will take place in the Ohio State Area in the center of the main Farm Science Review exhibit area.

“Question the Authorities” offers participants the opportunity to ask a range of general or technical questions related to their farm enterprise and offers an easy way for producers to interact with OSU Extension experts, organizers said.

“In response to these record yields, prices have fallen dramatically through 2014, leaving many farmers with a lot of production that’s worth much less now than it was six months ago,” Roberts said. “By September, we will have a much better view of the size of the harvest in 2014.

“The sessions will explain why the size of the harvest matters and what farmers should be doing with their marketing in response.”

Sponsored by CFAES, the Review features educational workshops, presentations and demonstrations 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.

Other “Question the Authorities” workshop topics include:

• Future of Rural Economy.
• Drinking Raw Milk.
• Grass: Bioenergy and Nutrient Management.
• Feral Swine Issues.
• Drones on the Farm: Legal Issues.
• Antibiotic Use and Resistance.
• Fish Farm Profitability.
• Public Health and Animals.
• Hops: New Markets for Old Crops.
• Farmers Brand Loyalty.
• Farm Bill.
• Farm Risk Management Strategies that Work.
• Youth Labor.
• Managing Livestock by Behavior.

For a schedule of Question the Authorities and other presentations, see the Review’s Schedule of Events at fsr.osu.edu/visitors/plan-your-show/schedules.

Farm Science Review is known nationally as Ohio’s premier agricultural event. It annually draws more than 130,000 farmers, growers, producers and agricultural enthusiasts. An estimated 620 exhibitors with some 4,000 product lines will set up shop at the three-day farm show, an increase from 608 exhibitors last year, organizers said.

This year, the Review is also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its partnership with Purdue University Extension. Educators and researchers from Purdue will also present educational workshops.

Review pre-show tickets are $7 and are available for purchase at all OSU Extension county offices, many local agribusinesses, and also online at 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. 16-17 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18.

More information can be found at fsr.osu.edu.