Ohio State University Extension offices serving Darke, Shelby, Miami and Mercer counties plan to host the Western Ohio Ag Outlook Meeting on Friday, Nov. 6, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8840 State Route 47, Versailles.
According to the Extension announcement, the day opens with lunch and sponsor booths from 11 a.m. until noon. An outlook update and panel presentations follow from noon to 1 p.m. Listed speakers include Don Jones of the USDA Farm Service Agency on farm programs and the Farm Bill; Justin Rismiller of Cargill on soybean crush and biodiesel; Garth Ruff, an OSU Extension field specialist for beef cattle, on the beef industry; and Barry Ward, who directs the Extension Income Tax School Program, on crop input costs and margins, cropland values and cash rents. A question-and-answer session runs from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon presentations are scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dr. Gabriel Lade, an associate professor at Ohio State, is listed on taxes, land use and data centers; Dr. Ian Sheldon, also a professor there, on trade and trade policies; and Extension educator Caden Buschur on Ohio farm custom rates. A closing question-and-answer session runs from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
Organizers say attendance is free, lunch will be provided, and registration is due by Nov. 2. Participants can sign up online or reach Buschur by phone. Sponsors named in the announcement include Mercer Landmark, Farm Credit Mid America, the Darke, Miami, Shelby and Mercer County Farm Bureaus, Cargill and St Henry Bank.