With a host of difficult issues facing Iowa farmers these days, Iowa State University Extension economists are fielding a lot of questions. To help provide answers, timely insight and related information, ISU Extension is planning a webinar Aug. 25. 

Three ISU economists will join Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation at ISU, to discuss 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,” notes Alejandro Plastina, ISU Extension economist and associate professor. “Pandemic, drought, derecho, trade uncertainties, low corn prices and a slow recovery of the real economy weigh on the financial health of Iowa farms.” 

Tools for tough times 

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 notes. “Our presenters will provide updated information on the ag trends shaping up for 2021, and we will also discuss the 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. In Iowa, Sept. 1 is a key deadline for farm landlords and tenants who may wish to terminate existing cropland 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,” says Tidgren, who is holder of the Leonard Dolezal professorship in agricultural law at Iowa State. She encourages people to register now.

Registration should be completed online, the $10 fee includes electronic access to the leasing booklet. The webinar will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 25. 

Additional information on farmland leasing in Iowa is available through the Ag Decision Maker.

website at ISU Extension. For more information about the webinar, Tidgren can be reached at 515-294-6365 or [email protected]. 

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.