Missouri Farm/Agribusiness Management Network Newsletter February 2000 Volume 1.1

Newsletter Index

Ag Update

INVITED PAPER

Each issue of this newsletter will feature an invited paper from Economists at Universities outside of Missouri. Invited papers will address farm/agribusiness management issues aimed at helping managers (whether on the farm, in the agribusiness, or through the lending institution) better focus on improving management.

"Management Factors: What is Important, Prices, Yields, Costs or Technology Adoption?" By Terry Kastens, Kevin Dhuyvetter, and Heater Nivens, Kansas State University. (Briefpap2.pdf)

BANKING

This file outlines trends in the overall banking industry from data available from the St. Louis Federal Reserve. It is not possible to determine financial trends for only agriculture banking; however, comparisons can be made between an individual bank and the average bank in the state.

Trends in the Missouri Banking Industry (BankTrends.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

This file outlines trends in fixed and variable lending rates for agriculture. The data here was taken from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank.

Agriculture Lending Rates (Intrates.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

MARKETING AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Bill Tierney's Marketing Outlook for Soybean, Corn, and Wheat. Dr. Tierney is a KSU Extension Crops Outlook Economist who authors numerous weekly and monthly Extension Publications on Crop Outlook. This link takes you directly to Bill's Risk Management web site. (Crop Risk Management and Outlook)

Texas A&M University and Kansas State University entered into a joint venture three years ago to build Extension risk management programming materials. This link is to the publications derived from this relationship. The entire lot of information is available as a notebook for a fee; however, you can access all risk management articles directly from this web site for free. (Risk Management Handbook)

LEASE AGREEMENTS

Flexible Cash Rental Arrangements

These publications are in the development by Mary Sobba and Joe Parcell as MU Guide Sheets; however, given the considerable interest in flexible cash rental arrangements this information is being disseminated in unfinished Guide Sheet form to help persons better understand how flexible lease options work.

Flexing Price (Priceflex.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

Flexing Production (Yieldflex.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

Flexing Revenue (Revenueflex.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

FINANCE

These documents are directed at issues surrounding producer financial decision making. Specifically, given recent low commodity price some producers may have to consider alternative financial decisions.

How Farmer's Build Wealth (equity.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

Financial Management During Tough Times (debtstructure1.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

COST OF PRODUCTION

2000 Crop Budget Projections (CostofProduction.pdf)
contact: Ray Massey

Outlined in this document are the 2000 Missouri projected cost of production for corn, soybean, wheat, and milo.

2000 Specialty Corn Budget Projects (SpecialtyCorn.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

Outlined in this document is the 2000 Northern Missouri projected cost of production for conventional, waxy, high-oil, and white corn. An overview of specialty corn markets is given and net return comparisons are given between the different specialty corn crop alternatives.

Retained Ownership Opportunities (KSU Livestock Management Update)

This document is created at Kansas State University as part of the Department of Agriculture Economics Monthly Ag Update publication. Dr. Rodney Jones, KSU Livestock Farm Management Specialist, provides historical returns to feeding out cattle, projected breakeven costs for feeding out cattle, and sensitivity analysis of breakeven costs relative to cost of gain and purchase price.

Iowa Swine Cost of Production Projections and Historical Returns (Estimated Livestock Returns)

Dr. John Lawrence of Iowa State University, Extension Livestock Economist in the Department of Economics at Iowa State University, provides a monthly update of profitability in the livestock sector with particular interest here is the historical and projected returns from producing hogs.

2000 Crop Insurance(CropInsurance.pdf)
contact: Ray Massey

Special Topics (updated annually)

Historical and Seasonal Missouri and U.S. Commodity Prices (CommodityPrices.pdf)
contact: Joe Parcell

This file contains summary data and charts on historical and seasonal commodity price trends for Missouri and U.S. prices. This summary contains information on livestock, grain, and vegetable prices.

In the Upcoming April 2000 Newsletter

So, what land should I sell?

Survey results pertaining to the Usage of precision agriculture and precision agriculture services in Missouri

Developing a Farm Newsletter

Trends in the Missouri Swine Industry

The information presented in this publication is intended to help persons make better decisions, which could impact profitability. The Department of Agricultural Economics, Commercial Agriculture Program, University Outreach and Extension, or College of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources does not accept responsibility for decisions made that negatively impact individual profitability.