View from the Cab: Attend our meeting

These are interesting times for agriculture and they will likely get more interesting as we make our way through 2019.

I have heard several market viewpoints from analysts during the past few weeks during my busy farm meeting season. Ben Peters of Advance Trading admits there is plenty of risk out there and we need demand. He spoke at this month’s insurance and agronomy meeting hosted by Graymont Co-op.

“The big crop did not get bigger,” Peters said.

Meanwhile, Kent Beadle of CHS Hedging told farmers attending a meeting in Bloomington hosted by First Farmers State Bank that an investment shift could return to commodities.

“We are still probably one of the strongest economies in the world despite the fact our economy is starting to slow,” Beadle explained.

You will have the chance to hear what market experts have to say as we approach spring during our 2019 Central Illinois Farm Network Ag Outlook Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 in the banquet room of Gig’s Place in downtown Fairbury. A free meal will be served at 6 p.m. with the panel discussion starting around 6:45.

We will hear from Merrill Crowley of Midwest Market Solutions in Watseka and Roy Plote with L&M Commodities. I had the chance to hear Plote speak at a meeting hosted by Bank of Pontiac near Coal City last fall. He brought an interesting livestock perspective to the table. Thanks to Bank of Pontiac and Prairie Central Cooperative for sponsoring our annual market meeting. Also, a shout-out to Gig’s Place for providing the delicious homemade pizza buffet and for letting us use their wonderful banquet facility.

To reserve your spot for our free meeting March 12 in Fairbury, call 217-530-3107 or you can e-mail: cassonmedia@yahoo.com. Make sure you follow the page “Central Illinois Farm Network” on Facebook for any event updates.

The meeting falls at the perfect time – as it is exactly one week after the Illinois Public Media All-Day Ag Outlook Meeting at the Beef House in Covington. That is always a day jam packed with ag information which Dad and I look forward to each year. I think I’ll still be full of rolls the following week!

(The View from the Cab is powered by Petersen Motors of Fairbury)