10/10/2008
K-State Research and Extension
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Three universities are teaming up to help answer questions regarding crop and livestock insurance under the latest farm bill.  

Their insurance workshop, titled "Meeting the Risk Management Challenges of a New Farm Bill and New Price Relationships" will be Nov. 4 in Brush, Colo.; Nov. 5 in Grand Island, Neb.; and Nov. 6 in Salina, Kan.

"The program was designed for growers, ranchers, crop insurance agents, agricultural lenders, grain merchandisers, and commodity brokers - anyone who wants to enhance their knowledge of risk management and their ability to design an appropriate risk management plan for their farm or ranch ... or provide risk management advice to
clients," said Art Barnaby, risk management specialist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Presenters will include William Murphy, deputy administrator for insurance services with USDA´s Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Rebecca Davis, director of the regional RMA office, as well as Extension specialists from all three universities.

The workshops sponsors are K-State Research and Extension, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and Colorado State University Extension.

    Presentation topics will include:

oThe New Farm Bill: New Decisions for Producers,

oGrain Outlook - Can We Feed the World and Produce Bio-fuels,

oUsing ACRE in a Risk Management Plan,

oCrop Insurance Program Update,

oPasture, Range and Forage Policy Update, and

oOptimum Level of Crop Insurance Combined with the New SURE (Standing Disaster Aid) Program.

Continuing education credits are available for participants from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota. Application has been made for Wyoming credits.

More information, including registration instructions, is available online at http://cropinsure.unl.edu (click on Workshop Registration) or by phone at 1-800-535-3456.