By Andi Anderson
Ohio State University’s 2024 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference will be held on Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus.
This important forum gathers agricultural and economic experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Nationwide to discuss pressing issues in Ohio’s agricultural economy. Farmers, agribusiness professionals, and policymakers will receive insights on key economic indicators impacting the sector.
Ian Sheldon, professor and holder of The Andersons Endowed Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade, and Policy, shared that the conference will cover vital topics, including commodity prices, farm input costs, export market trends, and policy expectations for the Farm Bill. “Our primary focus is to offer stakeholders a comprehensive look at economic trends in agriculture,” Sheldon noted.
The event will feature a significant panel titled “Farm Margins: Prospects and Coping Strategies for Lean Times Ahead,” with Barry Ward, director of the Income Tax School for Ohio State Extension, and Bruce Clevenger, CFAES associate professor and Extension field specialist.
This panel will address challenges farmers face with rising input costs and ways to maintain profitability in challenging times.
Additional sessions will focus on a range of critical economic topics. Key speakers include Brent Sohngen, who will provide an energy market outlook; Margaret Jodlowski, presenting on labor market conditions; Jared Grant, offering insights into food retail trends; Ani Katchova, discussing farm income projections; Chen-Ti Chen, reviewing livestock market trends; and Ben Ayers, Nationwide senior economist, delivering the macroeconomic outlook.
Professor Seungki Lee will close the session with an analysis of grain market trends, followed by remarks from Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean, during the lunch hour.
The conference aims to provide Ohio’s agricultural community with knowledge and strategies to navigate current economic conditions and capitalize on future opportunities.
This year’s event is designed to offer practical insights for the year ahead, helping producers and agribusiness professionals make informed decisions in an evolving economic landscape.
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Categories: Ohio, Education, General