OMAHA, Nebraska - (December 28, 2009) - Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) is hosting a special meeting in 16 Iowa locations and a South Sioux City, Nebraska location in January.
The purpose is to share options and insights to help producers plan for the 2010 crop year.
Steven Johnson, farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension, will be the keynote speaker. He will give a crop price outlook and reveal strategies for marketing and managing risks and costs. "Despite expected input cost declines in 2010, costs will remain relatively high by historical standards," says Johnson. "Couple this with price volatility brought about by the late harvest this year, farmers' margins will be tight. More than ever, in 2010, careful thought needs to be given to grain storage, marketing, production costs and risk management strategies."
FCSAmerica crop insurance specialists will also present at GrowingOn 2010. "Because of the anticipated 2010 tight margins, producers need to position themselves to take advantage of marketing opportunities," states Doug Burns, vice president-insurance for FCSAmerica in Perry, Iowa. "Revenue insurance is the best tool to protect risks with forward contracting. Options to reduce insurance premiums, such as the Enterprise Unit and the Biotechnology Endorsement discounts should be considered as part of 2010 crop insurance decisions as well. A good crop insurance plan uses the right crop insurance products to help protect an operation's income and maximize profitability. A good crop insurance agency, an agency like Farm Credit Services of America, works with producers to create a plan that connects their financials, working capital and crop insurance coverage."
This two and one-half hour program will be held Monday, Jan. 4 in Newton and Marshalltown, Iowa; Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Mt. Pleasant and Waterloo, Iowa; Wednesday, Jan. 6 in Festina and Manchester, Iowa; Thursday, Jan. 7 in North Liberty and Davenport, Iowa; Friday, Jan. 8 in Yale, Iowa; Monday, Jan. 11 in Eddyville and Harlan, Iowa; Tuesday, Jan. 12 in Corning and Carroll, Iowa; Wednesday, Jan. 13 in Storm Lake, Iowa; Thursday, Jan. 14 in South Sioux City, Nebraska and Webster City, Iowa and Friday, Jan. 15 in Mason City, Iowa.
Pre-registration is required. Specific times, locations and registration details can be found at www.cropinsurancespecialists.com or by calling the nearest Farm Credit Services of America office at 1-800-884-FARM.
Farm Credit Services of America is proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With 79,000 customers, a cash patronage program and assets of $13 billion, FCSAmerica is one of the region's leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
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