Setting the Stage
Join farmdoc experts Jonathan Coppess, Todd Hubbs, Scott Irwin, Nick Paulson and, Gary Schnitkey, as they discuss the coronavirus impact on ag markets, planting decisions, and agricultural policy.
Lessons from Infectious Disease and Livestock
Jim Lowe, an expert in infectious diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, will share his perspectives on African Swine Fever and Coronavirus. Any recent important updated related to COVID-19 and agriculture will be shared.
Financial Perspectives on Agriculture and Coronavirus
Nick Paulson, a farmdoc team member, will lead a discussion of COVID-19 concerns related to agricultural finance. Nathan Kauffman (Vice President and Omaha Branch Executive) and Cortney Cowley (Economist, Regional Affairs Department), from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will be guests and provide important perspectives. Any recent important updates related to COVID-19 and agriculture will be shared.
Global Transportation and Cash Flow Considerations
Gary Schnitkey will discuss the existing farm safety net on crop farms. Discussion will center on losses from old crop, moving on to discussions for new crop. Protection offered by crop insurance and ARC/PLC commodity title programs will be outlined.
Outlook and Farm Policy Moving Forward
Rob Johansson, chief economist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will provide perspectives on COVID-19s on the agricultural sector and work continuing within the USDA. Jonathan Coppess, farmdoc team member, will provide an updates that may be occurring at that point, with an emphasis on policy updates.
Acreage Decisions 2020
Todd Hubbs will provide the latest outlook on acreage decisions for 2020. Gary Schnitkey will examine the cash flow and management decisions associated with 2020 acreage shifts.
Impacts of Covid-19 on Agricultural Assets and Lending Markets
COVID-19 is affecting America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners in numerous and varied ways. Join Jackson Takach, chief economist with Farmer Mac, and Bruce Sherrick, Professor and Director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research and a farmdoc team member, as they explore the drivers and linkages between the global pandemic, the related economic stoppage, farm assets, and agricultural finance.
Scott Irwin and Jeff Bunting on Crop Supply Logistics This Spring
Scott Irwin will be joined by Jeff Bunting of FS Growmark to discuss crop input supply and logistics issues that may arise due to the coronavirus pandemic. Scott will provide a brief overview of recent grain market developments and Jeff will then provide an overview of crop input supply and logistic issues.
Rural Economy Stimulus: CARES and PPP Funding
The CARES Act includes a number of programs targeted at supporting small businesses. Rural businesses in Illinois have choices about participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Join Bob Rhea and Dale Lattz from FBFM, and Nick Paulson from the farmdoc team, as they identify the key components of this new legislation and the impact on business owners.
Getting the 2020 Crop Planted
Even with good corn and soybean yields following record-late planting in 2019, there is increased urgency in getting the 2020 crops planted on time. Emerson Nafziger will talk about the start of the 2020 planting season, current conditions, and planting date, depth, and seeding rate decisions in the coming weeks.
The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Food Prices and Retail Food Sector
The retail food sector has been put under substantial stress by the coronavirus pandemic. What started out with runs on toilet paper quickly escalated to empty meat and bread aisles at grocery stores. Scott Irwin will join Jayson Lusk of Purdue University to discuss the how the pandemic has impacted food prices and logistical issues in this crucial sector of the American economy.
An Update on Policy and Political Outlook for Coronavirus Pandemic Relief
Less than a month ago, Congress enacted the CARES Act to provide $2 trillion in relief for the wide range of challenges from the Coronavirus pandemic. Questions remain about implementation, the outlook for additional relief and a general perspective on the political and policy discussions at the federal level for the food and agricultural sector.
Nick Paulson and Joe Glauber on Ag Trade
U.S. agricultural trade policy, China's push to reconfigure international supply chain lines, the entrance of Brazil and Ukraine into the commodity export markets, and the coronavirus pandemic have all disrupted the once relatively stable U.S. corn and soybean export markets. University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Nick Paulson and IFPRI's Joe Glauber will explore the policies and fundamentals behind the changes and probe the future impact.
Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Livestock Markets
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on livestock markets continues to unfold and place substantial stress on livestock producers. Lee Schulz of Iowa State University joins Todd Hubbs to discuss the impacts and outlook for markets.
US-China Agricultural Trade and Shifting Consumption Patterns in China
Over the past two years, policy actions have had major impacts on trade in agricultural products between the US and China. In addition, shifts in the consumption patterns are changing the demand for agricultural products by Chinese consumers. Nick Paulson will be joined by Wendong Zhang, assistant professor in Agricultural Economics at Iowa State University, for a discussion of these issues and how they impact the outlook for U.S. agricultural exports.
Agricultural Law Issues and the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through the agricultural production system and raised unique legal issues for input suppliers, crop and livestock producers, and processors. The Director of the National Agricultural Law Center, Harrison Pittman, along with University of Illinois Agricultural Lawyers A. Bryan Endres and Jonathan Coppess, will explore the pandemic’s impact on the legal enforceability of agricultural contracts, protections afforded under commodity specific statutes such as the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, regulatory compliance issues with potential large-scale euthanasia of livestock, state-level meat inspection laws, application of the Defense Production Act in the agricultural context, and a new generation of farm foreclosure moratorium laws. There will also be an update on additional relief measures, payment limits and current policy discussions at the federal level.
PPP – Eligible Uses and the Loan Forgiveness Process
Many businesses, including farmers and other agricultural enterprises, applied for and received Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans. To qualify for loan forgiveness, loan funds can only be used to pay for certain expenses. Join Bob Rhea and Dale Lattz from FBFM and Nick Paulson from the farmdoc team to discuss these issues.
Farm Policy, Farm Incomes, and Upcoming Management Decisions
Update on farm policy will be provided with discussion on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Income outlook given different potential payment schemes will be detailed. Difficulties in making 2021 decisions given the current policy environment will be described.
What is the Outlook for the Ethanol Industry Going Forward?
The ethanol production industry has been severely impacted by demand destruction caused by coronavirus restrictions. The purpose of this webinar is to examine the financial damage done to the industry and the outlook for recovery through the end of 2020. Scott Irwin and Todd Hubbs of the farmdoc team will be joined by Eric Moseby, General Manager of Lincolnland Agri-Energy in Palestine, Illinois to discuss these issues.
Coronavirus and The Pork Industry: Perspectives from The Maschhoffs
Bradley Wolter, CEO of The Maschhoffs, will share his perspectives on the impacts that Coronavirus has had on the pork industry, with discussion on human resource, pig health, and supplier issues. Gary Schnitkey will provide an economic update as well as background on recent trends in the pork industry.