COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PLANS FOR `NEW TRENDS IN AGRICULTURE'

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The mix of crops farmers plant in 1991 could change more than in recent years, as crop plantings and commodity prices show variations in the coming year as farmers settle down with the new farm law.

Changes in the new, 1990 Farm Bill are among topics to be discussed during the 1991 New Trends in Agriculture program to be held at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri State University campus this summer.

Other items to be discussed during the two-day session July 17-18 will include new technology in crop productivity, and outlooks on pork and beef production.

Booths will display many agri-business products valuable to the farming community.

The New Trends program was discussed recently during a meeting of the program's steering committee and representatives of the University of Missouri Extension Service, Southeast Missouri State University, and Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

Other sponsors for the two-day event include the SEMO Cattlemen's Association; New Trends Agronomy Committee; SEMO Pork Producers; the local dairy industry, and Illinois Cooperative Extension.

"Agriculture is the largest single industry in the region," says Dr. Taylor Bahn, chairman of the New Trends in Agriculture. "It generates some one billion dollars annually in the trade area. Developing an educational show recognizing the prominent economic role of agriculture is the intent of the New Trends program."

Taylor added that farming is a highly scientific and regulated business.

"Federal regulations change constantly," he said. "New products and new methods make continuing education a must for a successful farming operation. Farmers are aware that doing it right the first time is most important to a season's success.

"New Trends is dedicated to bring the latest information on government regulations and new methods to farmers in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois," he added.

The first day of the 1991 program will feature programs for pork producers and cattlemen. An area man, Mike Kasten, is president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association. The second day of the program will be devoted to agronomy.

In other agriculture news, a special report by the USDA's Economic Research Service, says "farmers will be reacting to the planting flexibility provisions of the new farm (law) and will be more responsive to changing market prices."

The report also said that if yields revert to trend and planted acreage remains steady, foreign grain output could decline as well, perhaps lending some support to prices, and that farmers "should look for near-record incomes in calendar 1991."

"Cash receipts from crops are expected to rise, while livestock receipts will be about even with 1990," the report said. "However, higher expenses and lower government payments will put downward pressure on income."

Net cash income of farmers nationally was forecast at $55 billion to $60 billion in 1991. That is the same as projected several weeks ago at the department's annual outlook conference. It also would be down from this year's record of $59 billion.

In another way of accounting, 1991 net farm income may be in the range of $44 billion to $49 billion, compared with the 1990 record level of $49 billion. That takes into account changes in inventory values and other factors.