Register now to attend Oct. 31 Rural Economic Outlook Conference at OSU

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Agricultural lenders, producers, agribusiness managers and rural leaders planning to attend the Rural Economic Outlook Conference taking place Oct. 31 on Oklahoma State University’s Stillwater campus should register now.

“This year’s conference will focus on trends and expectations regarding the rural economy and agriculture,” said Damona Doye, OSU Cooperative Extension farm management specialist. “Speakers will address both global and local issues that should inform decisions for the coming year.”

Cost is $50 if registering by Oct. 24 and $75 thereafter or at the door. Registration includes the Oct. 30 catered reception and breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks during the Oct. 31 conference.

Registration forms are available online at https://secure.touchnet.com/C20271_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=68 or by contacting Kareta Casey of the OSU department of agricultural economics at 405-744-9836.

Doye said participants are asked to pre-register, if possible.

“Not only is there a cost savings, it greatly aids the planning process and helps ensure that sufficient numbers of meals, refreshments and conference materials are on hand,” she said. “We want to make the conference as useful and enjoyable as possible to all participants.”

The 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday conference will take place at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, located on Hester Street across from the Student Union.

“We’re especially pleased to have as a keynote speaker Mr. Michael Swanson of Wells Fargo, an agricultural economist and senior vice president with the largest commercial agricultural lender in the United States,” Doye said. “He will discuss why the grain and livestock markets are not about population and gross domestic product.”

Based in Minneapolis, Swanson’s responsibilities include analyzing the impact of energy on agriculture and forecasting for key agricultural commodities and livestock sectors. He helps develop credit and risk strategies and performs macroeconomic and international analysis on agricultural production and agribusiness.

Additional sessions will provide the latest information and insights about the challenges and dangers of Eastern redcedar encroachment on Oklahoma lands; a Farm Bill update; Oklahoma water issues; searching for the “new normal” as the U.S. and Oklahoma economies recover; land values, rental rates and farm characteristics; and the grain and livestock markets.

Sessions will be led by Garey Fox, interim director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center at OSU; Sam Fuhlendorf, OSU Groendyke Chair for Wildlife Conservation; and agricultural economists Doye, Jody Campiche, Larry Sanders, Dave Shideler, Kim Anderson and Derrell Peel; all of the university’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“The Oct. 30 catered reception will begin at 5 p.m. in the OSU Alumni Center,” Doye said. “It will be an informal affair with time to renew old friendships and make new ones.”

Anyone seeking additional information about the Oct. 31 Rural Economic Outlook Conference at OSU should contact the division’s department of agricultural economics at 405-744-9836.