AMES, Iowa — With a host of difficult issues facing Iowa farmers, economists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are planning a webinar Aug. 25 to offer timely insight.
Three economists will join Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University, for a discussion on current legal issues impacting farm owners and tenants, the national and state economic outlook, state agricultural costs of production, and questions and answers with all panelists.
“These are unprecedented times,” said Alejandro Plastina, associate professor and extension economist at Iowa State. “Pandemic, drought, derecho, trade uncertainties, low corn prices and a slow recovery of the real economy weigh on the financial health of Iowa farms.”
Plastina will be joined by extension economists Wendong Zhang and Chad Hart, who will speak about the situation and the various tools available to help farmers manage amid tough times.
“Crop insurance, farm bill programs and federal disaster assistance are becoming the bloodline of a growing number of operations,” Plastina said. “Presenters will provide updated information on the ag trends shaping the 2021 season and discuss practical economic and legal aspects of farmland leases.”
Tidgren will give a legal perspective of what landlords and tenants need to think about, as they wrap up the 2020 growing season, and begin making plans for 2021 leases. Sept. 1 is a key deadline for Iowans who may wish to terminate existing leases, or amend their leases for the new year.
“The webinar will provide a great source of information for landlords and tenants and anyone who owns farmland or rents farmland in Iowa,” said Tidgren, who is also holder of the Leonard Dolezal Professorship in Agricultural Law at Iowa State.
Registration should be completed online and includes a $10 fee, which includes electronic access to the leasing booklet. The webinar will run from 9-11 a.m.
Additional information on farmland leasing in Iowa is available through the Ag Decision Maker at ISU Extension and Outreach. For more information about the webinar, Tidgren can be reached at 515-294-6365 or ktidgren@iastate.edu.
Original photo: Ag issues graphic.
