Writer: Audrie Koester
Agricultural economists at Ohio State University are holding a series of free, monthly online workshops that will cover grain forecasts, policy, futures markets, supply and demand, and long-term analysis.
The goal of the webinars is to help those interested in the grain market understand how world events and world grain supplies affect local markets, said Stan Ernst, Ohio State University Extension program leader in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics.
“Basically, what we are doing every month is looking at the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report in-depth and seeing where the markets may be going,” he said.
Carl Zulauf, senior economist and Ohio State agricultural economics professor, will present the webinars and challenge producers’ traditional thinking about grain markets.
“Hopefully, the listeners will get an idea for marketing opportunities and do some planning as they look ahead into planting season,” Ernst said.
The webinars are scheduled for March 16, April 12, May 12, June 13 and July 13 at 9 a.m. Ernst recommends viewers have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Participants can ask questions throughout the presentation through telephone calls and online chat.
The program is open to the public, and Ohio State will continue the webinar series after July if there is enough demand.
“We generate a lot of interest from bankers, educators, agribusinesses and elevator operators,” Ernst said. “This is available for anyone trying to keep up-to-date with grain markets.”
Participants can register at http://aede.osu.edu/programs/outlook/.
For more information, e-mail econograms@osu.edu. Additional information may be available from county offices of OSU Extension.