Ag Outlook Offers Some Positives COLUMBUS, Ohio Current crop and livestock prices may be the most dramatic low in combined agricultural prices in more than 25 years, said Ohio State University Extension agricultural econo mist Allan Lines. Hog prices have fallen from more than 50 cents a pound the past two years to less than 20 cents a pound, and corn has dropped from nearly $3 per bushel the past three years to less than $2 per bushel. With surpluses in many com modities and little potential for increased exports, the situation doesn’t look good, Lines said. But the outlook for agriculture in 1999 does include a few possi ble improvements. Lines and other Ohio State University agricultural econo mists will discuss the funda mentals that have caused the current low prices and possibili ties for improvement during a number of 1999 Ohio and U.S. PE IYLVA Longacre Electrical Service Inc. Ag Division 602 Mam Stieet Bally Pa 19501 PH: 610-845-2261 Keith’s Refrigeration Service RR 1 Bin 785 A Mamnsbuig, PA 16662 PH; 814-793-2783 MUELLER agricultural outlook meetings held throughout the state in November and December. “There is an expected upturn in beef prices in 1999, and some marginal improvement in hogs,” Lines said. “Beef production is expected to decrease significant ly, which should provide a signif icant lift to market prices.” Beef producers have addressed the surplus problem and are cutting back supplies, Lines said. Pork producers are starting to curb overproduction, but crop producers have yet to do anything about it. “The farm financial picture for U.S. and Ohio agriculture looks better than most people are willing to admit, despite the low income situation,” Lines said. “Agriculture is coming off two to three years of very good farm incomes, so there is a con siderable amount of reserve capacity in the farm community to weather the current situa tion.” 'S m T- i lIA Rufus Brubaker Refrigeration 1048 N Penrynßd Manheim, Pa 17545 PH: 717-665-3525 Rt 3 Box 437 A Quanyville. Pa 17566 PH: 717-786-1617 541 Fiystown Rd Myeistown Pa 17067 PH: 717-933-4711 X$S ’^f£ ■?2 S ;&4. 'M '^tiA CAN I GET BY WITHOUT ONE OF THESE? Sure you can. But if you add this affordable component to your milk-cooling system, you can generate a nearly endless supply of hot water. Free. Mueller® Fre-Heaters are available in sizes to fit any size system. To tap into this source of free hot water, con tact your local Mueller milk-cooling-systems specialist listed below. Martin’s Refrigeration MARYLAND Regional Manager Service PA, NJ 1122 Woodstock Rd Priest’s Refrigeration Mark Wehr Fayetteville, Pa 17222 20205 Marsh Haven Lane Milflmburg. PA PH: 717-352-2783 Hageistown, MD 21742 PH: 717-966-1199 Lyco Dairy Service Cogan Station. PA PH; 717-494-0708 717-966-1396 High asset values and a gov ernmental farm financial assis tance package approved earlier this year also help. The caution signs to look for next year will mostly be on the crop side. Producers need to con stantly be aware of what is hap pening in the export market because, after harvesting mostly record or near-record crops in 1998, what happens with exports will tell the story in the 1999 crop market, Lines said. “And this fall farmers are expected to reduce wheat acreage and shift to more oil seeds such as soybeans, canola and sunflowers in the spring which could magnify the supply problem,” he said. “If you see that coming along you need to think about pricing the ’99 crop already. It’s not too difficult to envision that soybean prices in fall 1999 could make fall ’9B look good.” Other topics to be discussed at the agricultural outlook meet PH 301-797-3921 ings include the financial chaos outside the Western world and its implications toward agricul ture; trade relative to changing global currency values; the long term outlook for Ohio agricul ture; the farm policy situation; and opportunities for enhancing farm income through nontradi tional means in the market place. “The meetings are open to anybody with an interest in ■agriculture, particularly produc ers, managers and employees of agribusiness, and should help them understand the domestic and international marketplace they serve,” Lines said. Dates, times, locations and contact information for the 1999 Ohio agricultural outlook meet ings are: •Nov. 28, Granville Inn, Granville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; con tact Howard Siegrist, (740) 349- 6900. •Nov. 30, Sandusky Street Grill, Bucyrus, 4:30-9 p.m.; con- Regional Manager MD DE Frank M. Bird Jr. IL A GA PH: 706-789-3928 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 21, 1998-D3 tact Steve Prochaska, (419) 562- 8731. • Dec. 1, Ohio State University Extension office, Paulding County, 4:30-9 p.m.; contact Ben Schmidt, (419) 399- 8225. • Dec. 2, Plaza Inn, Mt Victory, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; contact Gene McCluer, (419) 674-2297. • Dec. 3, Greenville Inn, Greenville, 7:15 a.m.; contact Don Breece, (937) 454-5002. • Dec. 3, Chalet Restaurant, Wapakoneta, 11 a.m.; contact Don Breece, (937) 454-5002. • Dec. 8, ABE Center, Bowling Green, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; contact Dan Frobose, (419) 354- 9050. • Dec. 8, American Legion Hall, Pemberville, 4:30-9 p.m.; contact Debbie Rausch, (419) 354-6916. • Dec. 10, Mugsy’s Restaurant, Upper Sandusky, 7:30-11 a.m.; contact Chris Bruynis, (419) 294-4931. • Dec. 10, Carroll Township Service Complex, Oak Harbor, 4:30-9 p.m.; contact Bill Hudson, (419) 898-3631. • Dec. 11, Der Dutchman, Plain City, 10 a.m.; contact Don Breece, (937) 454-5002. • Dec 18, Dutch Valley Restaurant, Sugarcreek, 10 a m - 2 p.m ; contact Chris Zollar, (330) 339-2337 Registration for the outlook meetings varies depending on location Fees include a meal and a small charge for materi als The meetings usually last three to four hours, meal includ ed For more information about the meetings, interested people should contact their countv office of the Ohio State University Extension Where's your mustache? “ NEED YOUR FARM BUILDINGS PAINTED? 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