Arizona Forage Producers Association Weblog

Friday, December 6, 2002

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Arizona was awarded monies through a partnership agreement with Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, in November 2002 to conduct risk management educational programs using a mobile computer lab for the next year. Software tools will be presented and made available to participants that address vegetable, commodity, tree fruit, and cow-calf operations in the southwest. As recently noted by RMA administrator Ross Davidson, "knowledge is 90 percent of measuring, assessing, mitigating, transferring, and pooling risk." To this end, a primary goal of the educational program is to increase "knowledge" of participants. The 20 wireless laptop computer lab will allow for "hands-on" training to occur in areas and audiences that don't normally have access to a computer lab environment. No prior computer experience is necessary to participate in the computer workshops and the program is targeted to reach "under served" farmers and ranchers. Both Internet and desktop tools will be addressed for managing production, market, and financial risks. These tools are designed to enable farmers and ranchers to more easily measure and evaluate the return and risks associated with key management decisions. The curriculum will also help pinpoint where production costs are out-of-line and where management should be more focused.

It nice to see real world contact between extension and ag managers using up to date computer tools.
1:01:05 PM    comment []

"Forages return more money directly to Arizona producers than any other crop, including cotton and produce. The value of all hay alone produced in Arizona was $183 million in 2001(according to USDA figures), about twice value as much as cotton, while farmers themselves realize only a minor portion of the value of the produce crop. The value of our silage crops adds to the Arizona forage total value. And, forage production is increasing! I urge every Arizona forage producer to give this new organization your support with both membership and participation. Go get a neighbor to join up, too. Let's take charge of our futures by defining our products, supporting common objectives and sharing information." -- Lee Banning President

Copyright 2003 Arizona Forage Producers Association