Low crop margins are one of the biggest concerns farmers are dealing with. Projections are for crop prices to remain flat, but for how long? Are farmland rental rates going to provide any relief? What about input costs? These are all difficult questions to answer given predicting the future is impossible. Based on their experience and research, University experts will do their best to answer these questions during a series of Outlook Meetings across the state.

Extension in Champaign, Madison and Union counties, along with the Union County Agriculture Association are hosting a Grain Outlook Breakfast at the Der Dutchman in Plain City on Jan. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The cost to attend is $10 and reservations can be made by Jan. 13 to the Union County Extension Office, 18000 St. Rt. 4, Suite E, Marysville, OH 43040. For more information, visit: http://go.osu.edu/agevents.

Dr. Matt Roberts will provide the grain outlook for 2016 and what farmers can expect in the coming years. The morning will also feature a presentation from Barry Ward on examining land values, cash rents, input costs and potential crop profitability for the coming year. Additionally, Dr. Ian Sheldon will discuss the Trans-Pacific trade partnership and what it might mean for U.S. agriculture. All three speakers are from The Ohio State University’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Developmental Economics and have several years of experience and research on these topics.

Other locations around the state can be found at: http://aede.osu.edu/research/agricultural-policy-and-outlook-conferences/county-meetings.