Journal Star, Peoria, Ill., agriculture briefs column

Nov 12, 2008      Journal Star

Nov. 11, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- FARM SUMMITS SET: The University of Illinois Extension is sponsoring a series of farm economic summits in December in Mount Vernon, Bloomington, Galesburg and Sycamore.

"Crop prices zoomed to unheard of heights and then dropped with stunning quickness," said Scott Irwin, U of I professor of agricultural marketing.

To help producers better understand what might lie ahead, the Extension program will review commodity prices, credit availability, production costs, crop insurance alternatives and farm lease trends.

Programs run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $50 per person and includes lunch. At-door registration will be $65.

Programs will be Dec. 16 at Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn; Dec. 17 at the Bloomington Interstate Center; Dec. 18 at the Galesburg Best Western Prairie Inn and Dec. 19 at the Sycamore Center for Agriculture.

ETHANOL TALK AT ISU: "Fueling an Ethanol Revolution for the 21st Century" will be the topic of a presentation by author and alcohol fuel pioneer David Blume at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in Shroeder Hall Room 130 at Illinois State University.

The event is free and open to the public.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0157-29506215

Return to full Washington Letter