Ohio State’s 2024 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference to address key issues facing Ohio’s agricultural economy

COLUMBUS, Ohio -Declining grain and oilseed prices will be just one of the important issues impacting Ohio farmers, producers, and agribusiness professionals discussed at the 2024 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference on Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on The Ohio State University Columbus campus.

This premier forum gathers agricultural and economic experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) and Nationwide to discuss crucial issues affecting producers, agribusinesses, and elected officials.

The conference offers an important opportunity to examines Ohio's evolving agricultural landscape, discussing both the challenges and emerging opportunities, according to Ian Sheldon, professor and holder of The Andersons Endowed Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade, and Policy. This year, the conference will focus on key economic indicators essential for stakeholders, Sheldon said.

"The main focus will be the outlook for the agricultural sector, covering topics such as commodity prices, farm input prices, farm margins, expectations for a Farm Bill, export markets, and the macroeconomic outlook."

He emphasizes the importance of these discussions, noting that they provide a collective understanding of agricultural sector prospects for the coming year.

"For decades, AEDE has organized this economic and policy outlook conference to offer a comprehensive view of agricultural sector trends," Sheldon said. "This year, we will feature an important panel discussing the current squeeze on farm margins, which is crucial for farmers and producers as they navigate these challenging times."

Attendees will hear from leading economists who will recap 2024 and provide forecasts for 2025 at national, regional, and local levels. A panel discussion titled "Farm Margins: Prospects and Coping Strategies for Lean Times Ahead" will feature Barry Ward, director of the Income Tax School for Ohio State University Extension - CFAES' outreach arm - and Bruce Clevenger, CFAES associate professor and Extension field specialist. Sessions will include updates on the:

• energy market outlook,presented by Brent Sohngen, CFAES professor of natural resources and environmental economics
• labor market outlook,presented by Margaret Jodlowski, CFAES assistant professor of agricultural economics and policy
• food retail outlook,presented by Jared Grant, CFAES assistant professor of agricultural, environmental, and development economics
• farm income outlook,presented by Ani Katchova, CFAES professor and holder of the Farm Income Enhancement Endowed Chair in Agricultural Policy, Trade, and Marketing
• livestock outlook,presented by Chen-Ti Chen, CFAES assistant professor of agricultural, environmental, and development economics
• macroeconomic outlook,presented by Ben Ayers, Nationwide senior economist
• trade outlook,presented by Sheldon
• grain market outlook,presented by Seungki Lee, CFAES assistant professor of agricultural, environmental, and development economics

Lunch will also be provided, during which Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean, will offer remarks.

The conference, which is sponsored by Ag Resource Management, is designed to facilitate insightful discussions and networking opportunities. To register and learn more, visit aede.osu.edu/outlook-conference.