2007-08 Policy & Outlook Topics

Farm Input Costs Outlook -- Barry Ward, Assistant Extension Professor & Leader, Production Business Management, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH. Projections on land, labor, seed and fertilizer.       

Farm Bill/Agricultural Policy -- Carl Zulauf, Professor, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH. Thoughts on the impending Farm Bill in today's political environment.

House Farm Bill - Major Farm Crops.pdf 

House Farm Bill - Other Provisions.pdf

Grains & Biofuels Outlook -- Matt Roberts, Associate Professor, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH.  Corn, soybeans, and wheat Outlook; plus impact of biofuels.     

Emerging Legal Issues for Agriculture & Rural Communities -- Peggy Kirk Hall.  Director of Ag & Rural Law Program, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH.  Addresses some new challenges to farming in Ohio. Core issues: land lease issues, land use conflicts, CAFO regulation, and water conflicts.

Consumer Trends: Opportunities for New Ohio Markets -- Stan Ernst, Extension Program Leader & Marketing Instructor, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH. New data looks at what trends might or might not pay off for Ohio food producers and marketers.

China and the U.S. Trade Deficit: Who Gains From a Rise in the Yuan? -- Ian Sheldon, Andersons Professor, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH. China should increase its exchange rate flexibility in its own interest but it shouldn't be blamed for the U.S. trade deficit.

Dairy Outlook -- Cameron Thraen, Associate Professor, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH. Current and projected milk/milk product markets; policy discussion in the Farm Bill and elsewhere that impacts dairy producers.

Biofuels, Climate Policy and Farm Policy -- Brent Sohngen, Professor, OSU AED Economics ,Columbus, OH. Natural Resource & Environmental Economics.

Economic and Community Development -- Mark Partridge, Swank Chair in Rural-Urban Policy Professor, OSU AED Economics, Columbus, OH. Community and Regional Economics.

Energy Portfolio: Production and Conservation Options -- Fred Hitzhusen, Professor, OSU AED Economics ,Columbus, OH.  Natural Resource & Environmental Economics. 

Highlights of topics not on a particular program may include Food/Consumer Trends, Technology Trends, Income, MacroEconomy, Rural Retail Outlook, Livestock, Policy, etc.   (Stan Ernst).