Purdue News
Purdue NewsJanuary 16, 1998
"To be successful, we need to anticipate change not unlike today's successful farmer did 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the hurdles are higher," Jones said.
He also expects the level of professionalism and sophistication in production agriculture to rise.
"We have probably pulled most of the easy rabbits out of the hat in terms of increasing production in agriculture," he said. "One farmer can no longer afford to know it all. I will not be surprised to see the typical farmers in the year 2020 having seven or eight consultants, because the knowledge level needed to stay in the agricultural business will definitely increase."
Jones is leading the agriculture breakout session at Purdue's 1998 Ag Forum, Jan. 21-23. The ag session on Thursday, Jan. 22, will look at crop and livestock production in the year 2020 with emphasis on environmental issues and biotechnology. The first day of Ag Forum features a general session on rural demographics, economics, infrastructure, families and the urban-rural interface.
After an opening speech Jan. 22 by Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan, the agriculture breakout session will start with a look at trends in farm structure, people and labor skills, market opportunities and global trade issues. A panel discussion on environmental issues and environmental regulations will follow.
"The real wild card of the future for agricultural production is environmental regulations. I expect the federal government will toughen and more strictly enforce some environmental laws through water quality monitoring system in streams and animal waste treatment regulations" Jones said.
Crop and livestock discussions will follow, and the session will conclude with Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue dean of agriculture, speaking on what Indiana agriculture must do to compete in the 21st century.
The Ag Forum agricultural economics program begins at 7 o'clock that evening. WILL-580 Radio will sponsor an outlook panel with Charles Lindy, WILL farm director and panel moderator; Paul Bates, Bates Commodities; Wayne Nelson, L&M Commodities; Bob Utterback, Utterback Marketing Services; and Chris Hurt, Purdue agricultural economist.
Following the outlook session, Thomas Jackson of the AgMas Project -- a joint effort of Ohio State University and the University of Illinois -- will discuss a study comparing pricing performance of 25 ag marketing services, and Hurt will cover "Using Indiana Grain Price Patterns for Market Timing."
Daytime sessions for Ag Forum cost $15 for one day or $25 for two days, and preregistration is encouraged through Purdue's Department of Continuing Education, (800) 359-2968. The evening outlook session is free. All seminars will take place at Stewart Center.
Ag Forum culminates Friday, Jan. 23, with the Ag Forecast, a free discussion of the future of agriculture by national agribusiness and educational leaders at 9 a.m. in Loeb Playhouse, and the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry celebration, "We're Off ... To See The Wizard," at 11:30 a.m. in the Purdue Armory.
Fish Fry tickets are $12 each and are available only through advance sales at all Purdue Cooperative Extension Service county offices in Indiana or through the Ag Alumni Association office, (765) 494-8593. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more.
Source: Don Jones, (765) 494-1178; e-mail, jonesd@ecn.purdue.edu
Writer: Tim Hoskins, (765) 494-8402; e-mail, news_students@aes.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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