Farm News, IA

Farm News, IA 11-24-06

Farm News Ag Show showcases agriculture

By Randy Mudgett, Managing Editor

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.

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.

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.

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 undecisive when it comes to forecasting the market.

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 by the Fort Dodge 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.