SDCGA to deliver Growing Forward 2008 seminars

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA), in partnership with Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) and the USDA Risk Management Association (RMA), will present “Growing Forward 2008,” a two-step risk management series designed to help producers gain valuable insights and opportunities for growing their operations in 2008.

The seminars will be repeated five times during the week of Nov. 26-29 in separate cities to offer producers the opportunity to attend a program in their area. The schedule is the following:

• Nov. 26: Sioux Falls Ramkota, 12:00 p.m.
• Nov. 26: Watertown Events Center, 5:30 p.m.
• Nov. 27: Aberdeen Ramkota, 5:30 p.m.
• Nov. 28: Huron Crossroads, 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 29: Yankton Minerva’s Convention Center, 11 a.m.

“All of the information provided through our education seminars will enable producers to be proactive instead of reactive, allowing them to avoid or mitigate many of the risks associated with agricultural production,” said Reid Jensen, president of the SDCGA.

Featured speaker Steven Johnson, farm and ag business management field specialist, Iowa State University, will share solutions for growing forward. Johnson is a highly-valued speaker for his insight related to grain marketing, government farm programs, crop insurance and other risk management strategies. His presentation will address increasing corn acres, maximizing grain storage, managing higher costs and improving crop marketing strategies, specifically:

• Available income tax alternatives to accomplish 2007 tax objectives
• Ways to deal with higher 2008 input costs
• Grain storage as a marketing strategy
• Advanced decision tools to manage crop margin and increase profit per acre
• Updates on key Federal programs

Also during the programs, a Farm Credit Services of America crop insurance specialist will discuss affordable ways to manage risk, tailored coverage to assist cash flow and ensuring maximum protection not maximum cost.

The programs are offered at no cost but pre-registration is required. To register go to www.growingforward2008.com. For more information contact the SDCGA office at 605-334-0100.

Coming in February, a second set of “Growing Forward in 2008” will bring Johnson to present new pieces of insight. Joining him in February will be Elwyn Taylor, Extension climatologist with Iowa State University, who is well know for his analysis of weather influe Watch for more information for the February seminars which will be held at the following dates and locations:

• Feb. 18: Sioux Falls Ramkota, 9:30 a.m.
• Feb. 18: Watertown Events Center, 9:30 a.m.
• Feb. 19: Aberdeen Ramkota Hotel, 9:30 a.m.
• Feb. 20: Huron Crossroads Hotel, 9:30 a.m.
• Feb. 21: Yankton Minerva’s Convention Center, 9:30 a.m.