AMARILLO The 2006 crop year will present unique problems for producers, and understanding the situation is key to attacking the problem, said one Texas Cooperative Extension economist.
Help in evaluating crops and establishing production strategies will be available at “Crop Profitability: What Will Work in 2006?” seminars around the High Plains, said Dr. Steve Amosson, Extension economist here.
“We are faced with the highest projected energy costs we’ve ever seen, so things are going to have to be penciled very closely,” he said. “With $10 (per mcf) gas, it’s almost double what we were facing last year, and it’s going to severely hurt the feasibility of irrigation crops.”
In each three-hour seminar, Amosson will discuss supply and demand of major commodities in the area and the profitability for those and alternative crops.
Dustin Gaskin, Extension risk management program specialist, will address profitability for minor irrigated and dryland crops, as well as ways to minimize production costs.
DeDe Jones, Extension risk management program specialist, will analyze crop share lease agreements.
Extension risk management programs also will be discussed.
Meetings scheduled include:
Randall County 8 a.m., Dec. 21, Herbert F. & Jeannie Kuhlman Extension Center, Canyon;
Deaf Smith County 8:30 a.m., Dec. 19, Hereford Community Center, 100 Ave. C, Hereford;
Hansford County 1 p.m., Dec. 20, O’Loughlin Center, Spearman;
Gray County 9:30 a.m., Jan. 4, Gray County Annex, Pampa;
Ochiltree County 1 p.m., Jan. 5, Ochiltree County Expo Center, Perryton; and
Lipscomb County 7 p.m., Jan. 5, Darrouzett School Auditorium, Darrouzett.
-30-
